Open a local Bank Account in USD

[Stephano]

Hi all,
How easy it is to open a bank account in US dollars as of January 2026?
I have a pesos account at Banco Provincia and a few months ago went to my local bank to open an account in USD, but was told this was possible only if you had an income in Argentina, which as a rentista I don't have.
Have things changed recently and it is now possible to open it for people in my condition?
If yes, do you have a bank you would suggest?
My primary purpose would be to send money for a future house purchase, but also to satisfy the rentista requirements.
In general I am not happy by the service provided by Banco Provincia, and their exorbitant fees.
Thanks in advance

Stephano

 

[Neil]

My experience with Galicia, after about 6-8 months they opened a USD acct. For me, I requested one several times online, than mysteriously they offered it to me + c.cards! All with no arg. Income !

 

[pixer12]

Yes - I requested one online with Galicia but for some reason the process wasn't working, and eventually I went to a branch location where they did it for me in a matter of hours.

 

[Stephano]

Yes - I requested one online with Galicia but for some reason the process wasn't working, and eventually I went to a branch location where they did it for me in a matter of hours.

Thanks!
As both you and Neil succeeded with Galicia, it is where I will go too.
Do you know if you can wire transfer USDs to that account from the United States?

 

[LongtimeExpat]

Thanks!
As both you and Neil succeeded with Galicia, it is where I will go too.
Do you know if you can wire transfer USDs to that account from the United States?

I don't know if you'll be able to do the wire transfer with Galicia, though I imagine probably yes. But I've been warned several times by people in several banks here that it is essential that the name on the source and destination accounts is identical. Keep that in mind when opening the account.

 

[Stephano]

I don't know if you'll be able to do the wire transfer with Galicia, though I imagine probably yes. But I've been warned several times by people in several banks here that it is essential that the name on the source and destination accounts is identical. Keep that in mind when opening the account.

I will check with them while opening, and luckily my name is the same here and there (I don't even have a middle name to complicate things!)

 

[pixer12]

Thanks!
As both you and Neil succeeded with Galicia, it is where I will go too.
Do you know if you can wire transfer USDs to that account from the United States?

Yes, you can, but they charge a fee. https://comex.galicia.ar/personas/transferencias-internacionales/recibir-y-cobrar

Edit: Galicia seems to not have a fee for transfers of up to USD2000 but the origin bank may charge a fee. See the FAQs on the linked page.

 

[rob0001]

Thanks!
As both you and Neil succeeded with Galicia, it is where I will go too.
Do you know if you can wire transfer USDs to that account from the United States?

Hi, yes, you can wire transfer but why in the world would you...use a transfer company like Western Union, MoneyGram or Remitly if you are doing the monthly immigration deposit. I've been doing it into Galicia for 2.5 years by transfer company....way cheaper than a wire and faster too. Remember to check not only the transfer fees of each service but also the exchange rate they give you...banks and transfer companies can use any rate they want and any fee they want.

 

[carride]

How easy it is to open a bank account in US dollars as of January 2026?

In August I opened a BNA account using only my DNI. No local income. I was given both a peso and usd account without depositing any amount. I think I started the process online, though was required to go into the branch to sign in person.

Banco Macro was the first in the news for eliminating fees and transfer complications last July. Up 10000 per transfer. Since then more banks have made similar changes.
https://www.infobae.com/economia/20...-dinero-desde-el-exterior-hacia-la-argentina/

 

[lunar]

In August I opened a BNA account using only my DNI. No local income.

Doesn’t BNA charge USD 10/month to maintain the USD account?