Residence and DNI for parents of an Argentine child after DNU 366/2025

In short

A child born in Argentina is an Argentine citizen by birth, and that gives each parent grounds for residence. Since DNU 366/2025 this is temporary residence through family reunification for up to three years, not permanent residence as before. Each parent applies separately, online through RaDEX, and only while physically in Argentina. While the application is pending you hold a precaria; once approved, you get a foreigner’s DNI. Parents do not receive citizenship automatically.

What changed after DNU 366/2025

• Before: parents of an Argentine got permanent residence straight away.
• Now: temporary residence (Art. 23(ñ) of Law 25,871) for up to three years, with multiple entries and exits, renewable.
• The precaria is issued for up to 90 days (previously 180) and does not count toward permanent residence or citizenship.
• Temporary residence can be cancelled if, after it is granted, you stay abroad for six months or more (one year for permanent residence), unless Migraciones authorised the absence.

The child’s right to Argentine citizenship by birth has not changed.

Who applies and when

• Each parent separately, with their own application and fee. The child is the sponsor (dador de criterio), so you need the child’s birth certificate and DNI.
• You can only apply from inside Argentina and after a lawful entry: an entry stamp and an unexpired permitted stay.
• Parents usually apply after the birth is registered and the child has a DNI — the order is explained in Baby documents after birth.
• Older foreign-born children can also get residence through the family; a minor needs a parent’s consent signed before a competent authority.
• You don’t need an agent: Migraciones states that the procedure is personal and no gestor is required. Help is useful where nothing can be missed.

Documents

All foreign documents are filed as originals, apostilled (or legalised by an Argentine consulate if the country is not in the Hague Convention) and translated by an Argentine sworn translator, with the translation legalised by the Colegio de Traductores. Bring a recent criminal record: in practice it should be freshly issued, roughly no older than three months on the filing date.

How the application works

1. Register in RaDEX, fill in the form and upload scans.
2. Pay the fee in the system: for non-Mercosur nationals, temporary residence costs 100,000 pesos under the current fee table. There are no other mandatory payments.
3. After the check, the system issues the precaria — save the PDF.
4. The invitation to an in-person appointment at Migraciones arrives by email. Bring all originals.
5. Decision on the residence, then the foreigner’s DNI. There is no official processing time — plan for several months.

Precaria and DNI

The precaria lets you stay legally, work, study, leave and re-enter while it is valid. It must be renewed online on time — details in Precaria in Argentina. Once the residence is approved you get a foreigner’s DNI; under RENAPER fees from March 6, 2026 it costs about 20,000 pesos. With a DNI it is much easier to open a bank account, sign a lease and buy health insurance.

Renewal and the move to permanent residence

• File the renewal (prórroga) in RaDEX before your residence expires; the fee for non-Mercosur nationals is 100,000 pesos.
• Moving to permanent residence is generally possible after three years of temporary residence. Time on a precaria does not count.
• Watch your trips: six months or more abroad can be grounds to cancel temporary residence. If you need a long trip, request authorisation from Migraciones in advance, which can also be done through an Argentine consulate.

If one parent has left or arrives later

• Dad left before applying. He cannot apply from abroad: he must return to Argentina lawfully and file his own application. Mum files hers independently.
• Dad left after getting the precaria. Leaving and returning is allowed while the precaria is valid. If it expires while he is abroad, he cannot come back on it, and leaving with an expired precaria requires a separate “habilitación de salida”.
• Dad left after the residence was approved. He must return within six months or the residence may be cancelled. Also keep citizenship in mind: Migraciones requires two years with no trips abroad.
• The child needs a passport and one parent has already left. RENAPER needs both parents or a notarised consent for a child’s passport — plan powers of attorney before departure.

Common mistakes

• Expecting an Argentine child to give parents automatic permanent residence or citizenship.
• Filing one application “for the family” — each parent needs their own.
• Missing the precaria renewal while waiting for the appointment.
• Bringing a criminal record without an apostille or translated in your home country.
• Leaving for a long time without counting the six months and the two years needed for citizenship.
• Different Latin spellings of names across the passport, translations and the child’s documents.

How we help

We file both parents’ applications in RaDEX, track the precaria and accompany you to the Migraciones appointment and the DNI. This is part of the Premium package; the full route is in Birth in Argentina: step by step.