Path to citizenship - advice needed!

[Mary_T]

Hello everyone,

My main goal is to obtain Argentinian citizenship. I’m planning to arrive in Argentina in October and I want to make sure I’m choosing the right path toward that goal from the very beginning. I’ve been reading through this forum (thank you to everyone who shares!), but I’m still unsure about the current legal situation with visas, DNIs, and how to make my stay long-term and legal.

Here’s my current situation:

I’ve been living in Germany since 2022, but I’m not a German citizen or permanent resident.

I recently completed my Yoga Teacher Training (200h) and now I’m looking for a remote job in areas like project coordination, administration, or support. I haven’t secured anything yet but actively looking.

I don't speak Spanish yet, but I want to learn and would love to start with a long-term language course.

I may consider enrolling in a Master’s degree program later, but it’s not my top priority.

I’m single, without dependents, and very flexible — I don’t need to travel or leave the country, and I’m happy to stay continuously in Argentina for citizenship purposes.

Here are the things I’d really appreciate help or clarification on:

1. Is it possible to get a student visa for a long-term Spanish language course and stay legally beyond the 90-day tourist allowance?

2. Can I switch from a student visa to another type later (and which one)?

3. Does time spent on a student visa count toward the 2 years required for citizenship, and is that only if I have a DNI?

4. Can I get a DNI as a student, or only under other types of visas?

5. What are people currently doing if they work remotely? Is there any legal pathway or workaround to stay long-term and apply for residency/citizenship?

I’ve already contacted a couple of law firms for professional advice, but I’d really value hearing directly from this community about real experiences, especially those who’ve stayed long-term, obtained DNIs, or followed a similar route through language learning, remote work, or flexible visa options.

Thanks so much in advance for any guidance you can share!

 

[Alby]

2. Can I switch from a student visa to another type later (and which one)? Yes. But it's not clear from the information you provide that you would fit into any other category. You may not.

In respect of questions 3 and 4, it's best to clarify terminology and concepts to strip things down to simpler units.

For a start, the word 'visa' is a shorthand that people use on this board to refer to what Argentina calls a residencia. In your case, you want 'residencia temporaria'. So it's probably better to call it 'temporary residency', rather than a 'visa'.

Secondly, understand that the DNI is a plastic pass that comes to you as a result of having obtained 'temporary residency'. It helps you do various things, but the important thing from your point of view is not "the DNI" but "the temporary residency" (which is a formal letter, signed by a delegate, and dated, authorizing you to stay in Argentina for 365 days).

Having clarified these concepts, we can simplify your question 3 (which I don't know the answer to) as follows:

3. If I complete one year as a temporary resident in the category of student and then obtain a second year of temporary residency in the category of student, do those two years count towards the two years required for citizenship?

In respect of question 4 (Can I get a DNI as a student, or only under other types of visas?), the answer is 'yes'. But it is not a relevant question. The important thing is that you get the 'temporary residency'. Everybody who gets a temporary residency (whatever the category) gets a DNI. You apply to Argentina (Migraciones) for your temporary residency. If they approve it, they issue the formal letter, giving you 365 days. A separate entity (Renaper) then issues you a piece of plastic (the DNI) that is only valid for those same 365 days and helps you do day-to-day business. At the end of the 12 months, you apply again, to renew the temporary residency. If Migraciones approve it, they issue you another letter saying you have another 365 days. And Renaper issues you a new piece of plastic (the DNI) with an expiry date that is the same date as the expiry date stated in the letter.

 

[Caribbean Cool]

Whatever the answers are....they will change tomorrow. So, just come, and don't think of leaving for two years...at least. Nothing else is certain.

 

[Alby]

1. Is it possible to get a student visa for a long-term Spanish language course and stay legally beyond the 90-day tourist allowance?

We need to fix this question as well (again, I don't know the answer to it):

1) Is there a long-term Spanish course offered by an institution that is registered with Migraciones as eligible for a foreigner to enroll in to obtain a temporary residency in the category of student?

If the answer to this question is "yes", then the second part of your original question disappears. Once you enroll in such a registered course, and, as a result, Migraciones issues you a temporary residency in the category of student, you can stay here for 365 days from the date stated on the Migraciones letter. Your original entry as a tourist for 90 days is irrelevant at that point.

(In practice, your 90-day tourist entry will have been annulled earlier by another status ("precaria") that Migraciones issues you when you first submit your documents for consideration. But let's not get into that level of detail at this stage. For now, just focus on the bigger issues and concepts: try and get answers to the questions as I have reframed them. I'm sorry I don't know the answers myself.)

 

[steveinbsas]

You apply to Argentina (Migraciones) for your temporary residency. If they approve it, they issue the formal letter, giving you 365 days. A separate entity (Renaper) then issues you a piece of plastic (the DNI).
.

RENAPER is an acronym fot the Registró Nacional de las Personas, aka in English as the National Registry of Persons.

PS: Search Wikipedia for "Argentina identity card" to learn more. I was able to go to the search results and copy the link, but not able to paste the link in this post.

 

[Mary_T]

Thank you all for the answers! So, the biggest issue is to find the Spanish language school that's registered with Migraciones. And then I'll have a year to figure out how to extend the temporary residency for another year until I'm eligible to apply for the citizenship.

Any chance you know such schools?

Of course, I've started doing a research on this.

I don't mind an assistance from the immigration lawyers as well.

Based on what I've already read, applying for the citizenship without a DNI could be possible but requires the legal assistance. Or is this info no longer valid after the new immigration regulations?

 

[Bajo_cero2]

Thank you all for the answers! So, the biggest issue is to find the Spanish language school that's registered with Migraciones. And then I'll have a year to figure out how to extend the temporary residency for another year until I'm eligible to apply for the citizenship.

Any chance you know such schools?

Of course, I've started doing a research on this.

I don't mind an assistance from the immigration lawyers as well.

Based on what I've already read, applying for the citizenship without a DNI could be possible but requires the legal assistance. Or is this info no longer valid after the new immigration regulations?

If you follow that path, you cannot travel at all. However, you can apply under the former Law with passport.

 

[Mary_T]

If you follow that path, you cannot travel at all. However, you can apply under the former Law with passport.

I don't mind that... Or, do you mean I cannot travel inside the country?

If you have any better path towards the citizenship in mind considering what I've already mentioned, I'd appreciate any advice!