Refugee and Asylum Status (Law 26.165)

To apply for refugee status in Argentina, you must be physically present within the country or at a border crossing. Argentina follows a non-punitive approach, meaning you will not be penalized for entering the country without traditional travel documents or in an irregular manner. The process is managed by the National Commission for Refugees (Comisión Nacional para los Refugiados or CONARE).

Step 1: Initial Request

You must express your intention to seek asylum as soon as possible. You can do this through three main channels:

• At the Border: Inform the officials at the National Directorate of Migration (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones or DNM) at any airport, port, or land border.
• In-Person (Buenos Aires): Visit the CONARE headquarters or any DNM office in the interior of the country.
• Online: Initiate your request through the official CONARE portal. This is the preferred method to receive an appointment and specific instructions.

Note: Under 2024 reforms, if you enter via specific border points, you should aim to file your claim within 7 days of arrival.

Step 2: Documentation and Address

While you can apply without a passport, you should provide any identity documents you have (ID card, birth certificate). You must provide a Proof of Address in Argentina. You can obtain a Certificado de Domicilio (Certificate of Domicile) at the nearest police station or use a utility bill in your name. You must notify CONARE of any change to this address within 48 hours.

Step 3: The Provisional Certificate (Precaria)

Once your application is registered, you will be issued a Certificado de Residencia Precaria (Provisional Residence Certificate). This is your most important document. It:

• Legalizes your stay in Argentina.
• Includes a CUIL (Labor Identification Number), which grants you the legal right to work.
• Must be renewed periodically (initially every 3 to 90 days) via the RaDEX digital system or in person. Do not let this expire, or your case may be closed.

Step 4: The Interview

You will be summoned for a confidential interview with a CONARE official. This is your opportunity to explain your well-founded fear of persecution or the generalized violence in your home country. You have the right to a free interpreter; ensure you request one in advance if you do not speak Spanish fluently. You may also seek free legal representation through the Public Defender’s Office (Defensoría General de la Nación).

Step 5: Decision and Residency

CONARE will review your testimony and evidence.

• If approved: You will be granted refugee status and a two-year temporary residence permit.
• DNI: You can then apply for your Documento Nacional de Identidad (National Identity Document).
• Travel: You cannot leave Argentina while your application is pending without express authorization from CONARE, or your claim will be considered abandoned.

The entire asylum application process is completely free of charge by law.

Item	Cost
Initial Asylum Application	$0.00
Legal Representation (Public Defender)	$0.00
Provisional Residence Certificate (Precaria)	$0.00
Interpreter Services	$0.00
National ID Card (DNI) Issuance	Small administrative fee

Total Estimate: $0.00 for the application process. Does not include: Costs for obtaining a Certificate of Domicile (usually a very small police fee), translation of personal documents (if not using public defenders), or the administrative fee for the final DNI card once status is granted.

Stage	Estimated Duration
Issuance of Work Permit (Precaria)	A few days after formal application
Final Decision from CONARE	1 to 3 years
Resettlement Entry (if applicable)	Approx. 45 days
Path to Citizenship	2 years of residence

Document Validity:

• Precaria: Valid for 3 to 90 days initially; must be renewed continuously until a final decision is reached.
• Temporary Residence (Post-Approval): Valid for 2 years, after which it can be converted to permanent residency.