Argentina dreams of being an El Dorado for “digital nomads”

Argentina dreams of being an El Dorado for digital nomads

The “digital nomads” in the original version are those people who only need a computer and an internet connection to work, and who can therefore exercise their profession remotely almost anywhere in the world. Often young, qualified and well paid, they are coveted by many countries. This is particularly the case of the Argentinian who does not skimp on the means to attract them to his territory.

From our correspondent in Buenos Aires,

Argentina has notably launched a special visa for these digital nomads, a six-month visa renewable once, designed to encourage them to extend their stay in Argentina beyond the 90 days provided for by the classic tourist visa. Announced a long time ago, this tailor-made visa was launched on May 10 at the request of the city of Buenos Aires, which initiated a real seduction operation aimed at these remote workers at the end of 2020. For example, it offers them a welcome kit containing, among other things, a Sim card and a public transport card, which awaits them as soon as they arrive at the airport in a secure locker.

The Argentine capital, which hosted the first conference for digital nomads in Latin America at the end of 2021, is betting a lot on their arrival and has made it an official strategy. On the page of its website dedicated to these globe-trotting workers, the city offers an installation guide with addresses of co-working or useful numbers for example. It also praises its climate, the atmosphere in its football stadiums or its cultural and gastronomic offer.

Another quality highlighted: the cost of living. The city prides itself on having the most competitive exchange rate in the region “. The central bank also allows digital nomads to create temporary bank accounts to deposit the pesos obtained against their dollars at a preferential rate.

The attraction for foreign currencies

The enthusiasm for welcoming these digital nomads is explained firstly because they have a particularly attractive profile, especially for a country like Argentina which suffers from a chronic lack of foreign currency. Originally from North America or Europe in their vast majority, digital nomads are generally between 20 and 40 years old, a university degree in their pocket and a solid purchasing power. According to surveys carried out by various specialized sites, their average salary would be between 4,000 and 10,000 dollars per month.

It is therefore understandable that Argentina, which is sorely lacking in greenbacks, is trying to attract them and retain them on its territory. But the competition is fierce since in all, at least 25 countries have set up a special visa for these digital nomads.

A target of 22,000 new arrivals by 2023

But despite this competition, it seems that Argentina manages to hold its own and the efforts put in place by the country are beginning to bear fruit. According to a study published in mid-October by the specialized site nomadlista reference within the community, Buenos Aires is the city in the world whose attractiveness for digital nomads has increased the most in 2022 after Singapore.

To reach its goal of 22,000 new arrivals by 2023, the Argentine capital is also counting on the increase in the number of digital nomads caused by the pandemic. Here again, it is difficult to have precise figures on a global scale, but according to a study by Cabinet MBO partners, 15 million Americans defined themselves as ” digital nomads in 2021, compared to 7 million in 2019.

Also to listen: Why digital nomadism is increasingly attractive

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