Argentina: immigration

How many refugees are in Argentina?

Argentina hosted 4,941 refugees and 3,941 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR's population statistics. UNHCR also counted 174,216 other people in need of international protection.

That last group consists of Venezuelans who are not registered as refugees or asylum seekers but whom UNHCR considers to need protection. The figures are compiled by UNHCR from government data.

Official sources: UNHCR: population statistics, Argentina, 2025

Where do asylum seekers in Argentina come from?

Russian nationals were the largest group of asylum seekers in Argentina at the end of 2025, at 1,800, according to UNHCR's population statistics by origin. 838 Russians were recognised refugees.

Other large groups of asylum seekers came from Cuba (438) and Venezuela (230). Among refugees, Colombians numbered 583 and Venezuelans 348. Pending claims can take time to resolve, so the asylum seeker count includes earlier applications.

Official sources: UNHCR: population statistics by origin, Argentina, 2025

How many immigrants live in Argentina?

Argentina had about 1.96 million international migrants in 2024, according to the World Bank's international migrant stock indicator, based on UN estimates. The figure was about 1.91 million in 2020 and 1.86 million in 2015.

The migrant stock counts people living in a country other than the one where they were born. It includes people of all ages and both recent and long-settled migrants. Relative to a population of about 46 million, migrants make up around 4%.

Official sources: World Bank: international migrant stock, Argentina

Can you get Argentine citizenship through investment?

Argentina is launching a citizenship by investment programme that will accept applications during the fourth quarter of 2026, the Ministry of Economy announced on 2 October 2026. Applicants will either make a non-refundable payment of US$350,000 to the Treasury or buy a US$800,000 government bond created for the programme.

Spouses and children can also apply if they meet the requirements. The ministry says applications will be subject to due diligence in line with OECD and FATF recommendations. Ordinary residence and naturalisation routes remain in place.

Official sources: Ministry of Economy: citizenship by investment programme

How many people travel to and from Argentina?

733,900 non-resident visitors arrived in Argentina in August 2026 and 1,100,300 Argentine residents travelled abroad, according to INDEC's international tourism statistics. Arrivals rose 10.4% and departures fell 19.2% from a year earlier.

These are short visits, not migration: tourists stay at least one night, and same-day visitors return the same day. Long-term moves are recorded through residence permits issued by the National Directorate of Migration.

Official sources: INDEC: international tourism, August 2026

How many foreign-born people live in Argentina?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Argentina was 4.3% in 2024. Latin America & Caribbean median: 4.8%; Argentina is 21st highest of 33. Worldwide: 99th of 193.

How many people move to Argentina each year?

2,859: that is net migration in Argentina for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 5,794; its low point was 2005, at -22,068. It is 5th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is -967. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 53rd highest.

How many refugees does Argentina host?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 4,941. That is the highest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 1,306; Argentina is 7th highest of 28. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 104th highest.

How many people from Argentina are refugees?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 542. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 1,164; its low point was 2019, at 99. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 710, and Argentina placed 20th highest of 33. Worldwide: 115th of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Argentina?

0.1% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Argentina for 2025, according to the World Bank. The peak was 0.2% of GDP in 2006 and the low 0.1% of GDP in 2016. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.3% of GDP; Argentina is 26th highest of 27. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 111th highest.