How to open a bank without a DNI

[Alby]

No need to scare people unnecessarily. Yes, the number 5 could change to 6 or 7, or more at any time, but there were special circumstances that saw the current system brought in. Migraciones staff themselves openly admit that the requirement for 5 x the monthly minimum wage was a one-off to stem the massive influx of Russians at the time. Also, the resolution explicitly started that the purpose of the new system was to avoid the need for Migraciones to keep issuing changes to the number to keep pace with inflation.

(It would be interesting to know if, in practice, Migraciones are applying the rule to both members of a couple, i.e., each has to open their own sepárate account and each has to deposit the amount, each month.)

 

[steveinbsas]

...the resolution explicitly started that the purpose of the new system was to avoid the need for Migraciones to keep issuing changes to the number to keep pace with inflation

"Keep issuing charges to the number to keep pace with inflation" implies, at least as far as I understand the meanings of those words, that the number has changed frequently.

When I first applied for the visa rentista in 2006 the income reqirement was most often expressed in dollars and the figure actually used by migraciones was $700 pr $750 USD which was a little over $2000 peso. The exchange rate at the time was a little over thee to one.

In 2010 migraciones "suddenly" increased the monthly income reqirement to $8000 peso/$2000 USD (about four to one) and I wrote about here:

Shocking new income requirement for visa rentista?

In a yahoo group forum of BA expats I just read a post that "reported" new visa rentista/pensionado income requirements of $2000 U$D per person per month (up from $700U$D per family per month). I wonder if this is true and if the new income requirements will be "applied" to those renewing visas...

baexpats.org

The next time the rate was officially increased the exchange rate was fifteen to one and the new monthly income reqirement was set.at $30.000 pesos and, according to khairyexpat (who started the "immigration for dummies" thread), expats were still able to qualify for temporary residency at the $8000 peso pet month level until it was increased to $30.000. I don't know if they actually granted temporary residency at the $30.000 pesos per month rate until the change to five minimum monthly wage took effect. By then, that would have been an absurdly low amount in dollars, but I don't remember reading any posts by members who were required to.meet a higher income threshold before the latest increase.

So, as far as I know, there have been only three official increases of the monthly income reqirement since my arrival. The change to five minimum monthly wages was made when my monthly cost of living was about $150 USD. I have made no changes to my lifestyle since then and my monthly cost of living is now creeping towards $600USD.

I was granted permanent residency in 2009 and never had to show an income of more than $700 USD per month. I started the residency process shortly after getting my one and only 90 day prorroga just before my.tourist visa would have expired. I got my precaria in late October of 2006 and was able to get permanent residency just before the $2000 monthly income reqirement took effect in 2010. I still had to provide the proof of my income for the third and final renewal, so it all came down to lucky timing. I was never close to a monthly income of $2000 and, even now, it's 20% less than half that amount.

I'm not complaing. I am happy with my life here, living in a house I saw in person for the first time, fifteen years ago today.

 

[steveinbsas]

The change to five minimum monthly wages was made when my monthly cost of living was about $150 USD. I have made no changes to my lifestyle since then and my monthly cost of living is now creeping towards $600USD.

As Sergio wrote in snother thread, most expats would not want to live as 'frugal' lifestyle as I do. Of course his observation was accurate: very few would, but any foreigner applying for the rentista or pension visa today would only need to show monthly income of just under $1,500. If they have to pay rent and live in CABA I wish them well and hope they enjoy the lifestyle there as much as I enjoy mine in el Campo

(It would be interesting to know if, in practice, Migraciones are applying the rule to both members of a couple, i.e., each has to open their own sepárate account and each has to deposit the amount, each month.)

Yes, it would be very interesting.One current member has mentioned that he is struggling to survive on a monthly pension income of about $1200 USD, paying half of it in monthly rent, not eating in restaurants or even drinking coffee.

I cannot imagine a foreign couple being able to live happily (or even survive) on one income of five minimum monthly salaries, without trying to make some money in Argentina.

And I wonder how much they would enjoy the low quality of life such a low income would provide. I imagine they would become dependent on the public health care system and only be 'happy' because it's '"ftee" (not really/.

I think that basing the monthly income requirement for the temporary residency on minimum monthly salaries was brilliant. The salario can be increased little by little so as not to have a significantly negative impact on Argentine workers whose jobs could be at risk if the minimum is increasedt oo much too fast,

Obviously, job preserbation is not something that applies to foreigners who aren't working and should be able to carry their own weight, never becoming a drain on the resources of their host county.

Even if the monthly income requirement was raised to seven salaries tomorrow it would be very close in dollars to the requirement of 2010 Anyone who was here then should be able to remember how much more two thousand dollars would buy, but most expats who were here then have already left.

As I posted in another thread;

 

[FLEggs]

I went to 4 banks today and banco national was by far the nicest but after 30 minutes of back and forth, I was told I could not open an account. Funny but I walked by Banco Galilia twice and did not try. maybe I will try one more attempt.

 

[LindenReed]

I went to 4 banks today and banco national was by far the nicest but after 30 minutes of back and forth, I was told I could not open an account. Funny but I walked by Banco Galilia twice and did not try. maybe I will try one more attempt.

I've had a similar experience. I do not have residency, and I am trying to open an account with a passport and CDI. Between April and June 2025, I have visited six banks (three Galicia branches, BBVA, Santander, and Banco Nación). They all gave me slightly different versions of the same story--it used to be possible, but now their systems do not allow them to create an account without a DNI (although Santander said it would be possible with a precaria + CUIT).

 

[mageesa]

I've had a similar experience. I do not have residency, and I am trying to open an account with a passport and CDI. Between April and June 2025, I have visited six banks (three Galicia branches, BBVA, Santander, and Banco Nación). They all gave me slightly different versions of the same story--it used to be possible, but now their systems do not allow them to create an account without a DNI (although Santander said it would be possible with a precaria + CUIT).

I visited 3 banks (all on Corrientes) today looking for one that would open an account with a CDI and Passport: Galicia said not without DNI, BN said go to the Abasto branch, the Abasto branch said "only if your passport has 8 digits". Mine (USA) has 9. He even showed me the screen that stipulated that rule.

I will continue my quest tomorrow, and bring a book; since you can't look at your cellphone while waiting.

 

[lcdelgado]

Hi,

I just wanted to make a clear thread and post about how to open a bank without a DNI.
I did this myself and thought it is good to help and share

Step 1:
Go to the police station or to registracion civil to obtain certificado domicilio.
You will need to carry your passport, nothing else is required.
No witnesses or rental contract was needed in my case.
They need to write the paper for ARCA aka AFIP.

Step 2:
Go with that signed paper + passport to ARCA.
Together with form 663

https://serviciosweb.afip.gob.ar/genericos/formularios/pdf/interactivos/663_NM%20interactivo.pdf

Make sure you have copies from all your papers including passport.
Motivation : usario system financial
They will give you a CDI

Step 3:
Go to banco nacional, they are as far as i know the easiest.
together with the papers acquired from step 1 + 2 and you explain your situation.
They will open a bank account in pesos for you without many issues.

I hope it helps, it was quiet a journey for me.

I wanted to share my experience. After obtaining a CDI, I went to Galicia on Matienzo and they wouldn't do it. Next I went to Galicia on Libertador/Ocampo and a very knowledgeable and friendly professional opened it for me. Make sure you have WhatsApp because that's the only way to confirm. Take your CDI document, Passport, and Certificado de Domicilio (which you'll need for the CDI as well). Like someone mentioned. It all depends on the branch.

 

[lcdelgado]

I wanted to share my experience. After obtaining a CDI, I went to Galicia on Matienzo and they wouldn't do it. Next I went to Galicia on Libertador/Ocampo and a very knowledgeable and friendly professional opened it for me. Make sure you have WhatsApp because that's the only way to confirm. Take your CDI document, Passport, and Certificado de Domicilio (which you'll need for the CDI as well). Like someone mentioned. It all depends on the branch.

I wanted to give you all an update. My account that I thought was open, is not. It's still under review. I was told by the bank that it's a long process due to the fact that I don't have a DNI. They've done all they can to expedite it. Just have to wait. I have an appointment with Migraciones to discuss.

 

[desde_Holanda]

I wanted to give you all an update. My account that I thought was open, is not. It's still under review. I was told by the bank that it's a long process due to the fact that I don't have a DNI. They've done all they can to expedite it. Just have to wait. I have an appointment with Migraciones to discuss.

Do you have an update regarding success and the length of the process since 'opening'? And do you have the name of the kind professional that you mentioned?

 

[Beth]

Banco de la Provincia opened ours same day. Santa Fe 1902. Take a number using your passport number and be prepared to wait up to 2 hours and take your knitting or a book because scrolling isn't allowed. They'll open your account. Download the app and they'll help you sign in, and ask for a tour of the ATM machines and they'll talk you through the process.

We went to all the banks last year and got politely turned down. Each suggested the next might be helpful, and showing them a copy of the law didn't matter. Finally in August we heard of someone who got an account at Galicia by Diagonal Norte. We went to a named manager who explained the banking software was set up for DNI inputs, and those with too many digits, like passports, were a pain which needed manual accounting. He firmly turned us down.