Argentine Citizenship for foreigners: Can it really be this easy?

[jimdepalermo]

In addition to voting rights, citizenship provides certain protections not available to residents. Even permanent residents are subject to easy deportation procedures if accused of a crime, for example. No one thinks of himself as a criminal, but a serious traffic accident, a police error, or even a denunciation by a disgruntled employee could create a situation in which the authorities would start deportation proceedings rather than a trial where you might clear yourself.

The situation is not unique to Argentina - it's standard practice in the US when a legal immigrant is accused of non-felony crimes. Deportation is faster and cheaper than prosecution, but it lacks the protections of the judicial system.

I believe those of us with property and/or business interests in Argentina would be better served by seeking citizenship than residency. I've been a legal permanent resident of Argentina for almost 3 years now, and I intend to start my application for citizenship this year.

 

[Amargo]

A DNI with perm res, cuit etc does everything I need it to do.
Besides, as a Brit I have a certain antipathy about becoming an Argentine citizen.
No offence to Argentines, but it just wouldn't feel right.

I really do not give a sh** about which flag is on my passport, as the respective govts care exactly as much about my well-being. Only in the case they can use their help for propaganda purposes they will do something for me. Therefore antipathy or no antipathy I try to get the most out of the passports I hold.
I know some people are educated/raised to feel proud about their nationality...for me this pride ended when I realised the number of atrocities commited in the name of nationalism...or how many people are dragged to wars for nothing (even today, which is really terrible).
More important than Nationality is my family, friends and community, and that is all I care about.

 

[earlyretirement]

I don't think it could be so easy to get citizenship in Argentina. I could be wrong and I hope I am. I've lived in Argentina for 7+ years and been a permanent resident for several years already. I remember a few years back I inquired about it and I was told it's not too easy and you have to take a test (written and oral) which included Argentina history.

Maybe things have changed since then but it doesn't seem possible with the amount of red tape I've seen in Argentina to get citizenship that easily.

I guess I'll believe it when you tell me you became a citizen. NOTHING is quick or easy in Argentina.

And definitely you can have citizenship in the USA and Argentina at the same time with no problems. My kids have citizenship in Argentina and the USA and passports for both countries.

I think Jiminpalermo made the best point that the people that this probably makes the most sense for is people that own lots of real estate in Argentina and that own businesses there. That is exactly how I feel.

 

[Bajo_cero2]

Bajo_cero,

Can you comment on how the procedure goes once documents have been submitted, fingerprints taken and the edict has been published in the newspaper? We are just curious as to what actually happens up until citizenship is officially granted. I know that you said there is a wait of about 7 months for all the reports to come in --- but then what?

Well, when the reports are replied and the edict published, you become argentine.

If the honest way of living is already evidence, the case is sent to the prosecutor, who enacts an opinion, if this is positive, then the judge enacts the sentence.

Then they give you an appointment for the oath.
Here is something tricky because many judges request for signing the rennounce to your original citizenship but this is abolished. So, I enforce the valid law.

At the oath ceremony they give you the carta de ciudadania and you become argentino.

Regards

 

[Bajo_cero2]

I don't think it could be so easy to get citizenship in Argentina.

No, it is not, at least in big cities.
http://baexpats.org/expat-life/10837-argentine-citizenship-foreigners-34.html
However Steve might be lucky.
Regards

 

[surfing]

Well, when the reports are replied and the edict published, you become argentine.

If the honest way of living is alreafy evidence, the case is sent to the prosecutor, who enacts an opinion, if this is positive, then the judge enacts the sentence.

Then they give you an appointment for the oath.
Here is something tricky because many judges request for signing the rennounce to your original citizenship but this is abolished. So, I enforce the valid law.

At the oath ceremony they give you the carta de ciudadania and you become argentino.

Regards

Thanks as always! One more question: the oath is just a simple reading of the oath or are there questions by the judge?

 

[Bajo_cero2]

Thanks as always! One more question: the oath is just a simple reading of the oath or are there questions by the judge?

Depends. It s up to the judge.
Regards

 

[Gringoboy]

I really do not give a sh** about which flag is on my passport, as the respective govts care exactly as much about my well-being. Only in the case they can use their help for propaganda purposes they will do something for me. Therefore antipathy or no antipathy I try to get the most out of the passports I hold.
I know some people are educated/raised to feel proud about their nationality...for me this pride ended when I realised the number of atrocities commited in the name of nationalism...or how many people are dragged to wars for nothing (even today, which is really terrible).
More important than Nationality is my family, friends and community, and that is all I care about.

So we agree to disagree. I DO give a shit which flag is on my passport.
I have one passport, a British passport. That's the way it stays.

 

[arlean]

Well I can't resist. While I agree pretty much with most of what Amargo wrote and I certainly approve of the list of priorities, the way I see it, the government is not the country. A wonderful country can have a corrupt government that needs to be removed, but as I see it, that isn't the country. Argentina is a wonderful country and the Argentine people that I know are great. It isn't the land of my birth but it is a wonderful country--a wealthy country in natural resources from which I fear the wrong people are benefitting. At one time it had the second highest per capita income in the world. Argentina people are discouraged and that, to me, is sad. I certainly see it differently than Amargo does though, as Gringoboy says, we can agree to disagree. I think that if I didn't see it this way I wouldn't be here--since I am fortunate enough to have a choice. But for any Argentines who happen to be here, I am originally from a place considered a first world country, and I think Argentina is worthy of pride. For those who want to understand better what has happened to Argentina (and is now happening to countries around the world) you might want to check an Argentina economist, Adrian Salbuchi at www.asalbuchi.com.ar. You may not agree with him on everything, but he is interesting. I notice he is now being interviewed in the US and Russia and perhaps other countries as an expert on the subject.

 

[surfing]

Nationalism i.e., tribalism, is a primitive behavior which keeps the world from being a better place. One would hope that we might have evolved beyond this by now; but sadly we have not.

That's what I think.