"Physical Presence Test" For Argentine Visas

I received a question from a reader today about a "physical presence test" in order to renew the financier (rentista) visa.

Reader's Question

I was wondering if you knew whether you are required to stay in Argentina for a certain number of days during the year after you've been given say, a Rentista Visa. Aside from the passive income requirements for this visa, is there an actual "physical presence" like requirement, or can you come and go and simply renew it in year two. The goal is to get to permanent residence status but be free to come and go and travel in and out of Argentina...laying the foundation for permanent residency because it's where I'd like to live on and off for the rest of my life.

My Response

There is no physical presence requirement for the renewal of the financier visa. I first got my rentista visa a full year before I moved to Argentina permanently. In fact, renewal of the visa was very simple. The only requirements were that I showed my passive income would continue. I just got another notarized letter from my CPA stating that I still owned my business and that's all that was required.

I sent my documents off and my passport off to ARCA and a week or two later they returned my passport to me with the renewed visa in it. Very simple. I only need to renew it twice more. Next year, I'll renew it for one more year. The year after that, I'll renew for the third time and get a permanent visa. I'll then be able to come and go as I please for the rest of my life.

For this reason, it's best to go ahead and start the visa process as soon as possible. Since there is no physical presence requirement, just get the visa as soon as you can so that the 3 year countdown is started. Since I started one year early, I'll have only lived here 2 years when I actually get my permanent residency.

I intend to apply for citizenship and a second passport after I get my permanent residency. That's one of the reasons I'm in a hurry to get my permanent residency. It is my personal belief that no single country ought to have dominion over an individual's sovereign right to travel and migrate. As much as I respect laws of the United States, I don't believe they have the legal or moral right to control my movements.