Argentina · Entity Incorporation

The mainstream entity forms in Argentina are the limited liability company (SRL) and the joint stock company (SA). About 78% of Chinese investors choose the SRL, whose minimum registered capital figures vary (about ARS 10,000–12,000; in practice at least USD 50,000 is recommended), with 25% paid in at incorporation; the SA minimum registered capital is about ARS 100,000 and a majority of board members must be Argentine residents. Registration is handled by the IGJ; foreign-language documents must be apostilled or consular certified.

Key points

SRL (limited liability company): flexible structure and controllable risk; about 78% of Chinese companies choose it; minimum capital about ARS 12,000 (figures vary), 25% paid in.
SA (joint stock company): minimum capital about ARS 100,000; a majority of board members must be Argentine residents.
100% foreign ownership is allowed; foreign shareholding above 25% must be registered with the Ministry of Economy.
Registration requires notarized articles, IGJ approval, and an AFIP tax number (CUIT).
Documents must be in Spanish; foreign-language documents require apostille or consular certification.

Procedure

Name check (via the INCIGEB system).
Draft and notarize the articles of association (Spanish).
Open a provisional account and inject capital.
Submit the registration application to the IGJ (approval 4–8 weeks).
Complete AFIP tax registration (CUIT), ANSES social security registration, and municipal business license.

Hard requirements

Spanish documents and certified documents; paid-in capital; a local accountant.

Costs

Fees include notarization, IGJ fees, and publication fees; lawyer and accountant services about USD 2,000–4,000.⏱ ⏱ Timeline：Approximately 45–60 working days.

⚠ Common risks

Minimum capital figures vary; the IGJ rules prevail.
Failing to meet SA board residency requirements.
Document certification and Spanish translation cause delays.

Handbook

📘 Step-by-Step Handbook (with owner / timeline / cost / penalties)

Applies to：Establishing a local operating entity in Argentina (SRL/SA/SAS/branch); applies to 100% Chinese-funded shareholding.

Prerequisites

Entity type (SRL/SA/SAS/branch) and shareholding structure determined; 100% foreign ownership allowed (Foreign Investment Law 21.382).
If held by a Chinese parent: complete domestic ODI filing/approval first, then remit capital abroad.
Arrange at least one locally resident director or legal representative with lawful Argentine residence (required for SRL/SA; at least one local representative for SAS).
Foreign-language documents (articles, passports, credit certificates) must be apostilled or consular certified and translated into Spanish.

Step	Action	Owner	Timeline	Cost	Official form / system	Notes & penalties
1	Determine the entity type and structure. Choose SRL (flexible, common), SA (board majority must be residents), SAS (single-person incorporation, digital signatures supported), or a branch. Foreign capital can be 100%. If held by a Chinese parent, complete domestic ODI filing before remitting capital.	Investor or local lawyer.	1–2 weeks.	Structure design is mostly internal cost; lawyer consulting varies with complexity.	No specific form (structure plan).	Penalty：Wrong entity type may cause unfavorable tax and compliance outcomes.
2	Name pre-approval. Check name availability with IGJ; the name must include the statutory type suffix (SRL / SA / SAS). Prepare 2–3 alternative names.	Applicant or local agent.	Online via IGJ, 1–3 working days.	Name reservation fee per IGJ published rates.	Name reservation application to IGJ (Sociedades por Constituir / TAD platform).	Penalty：Name conflicts or missing statutory suffix cause rejection and delays.
3	Draft and notarize the articles of association. Must be drafted in Spanish. SRLs must pay in 25% of capital and have at least 1 resident director; SAs need a majority of resident directors; SASs can be incorporated by digital signature as a public or private instrument.	Notary or lawyer.	1–2 weeks.	Notary fees are proportional to capital, per local notary quotes (do not hardcode).	Articles of association (Estatuto/Contrato Social); foreign-language documents need Spanish translation and apostille or consular certification.	Penalty：False document content or missing certification leads to IGJ rejection and approval delays.
4	IGJ registration approval. Submit the notarized articles, name reservation certificate, and capital deposit certificate. The capital CABA and certain businesses fall under IGJ; other provinces are handled by the local commercial registry (e.g., DIPyJ in Buenos Aires province).	IGJ / provincial commercial registry.	4–8 weeks (depending on jurisdiction).	IGJ registration fees per official published rates.	IGJ registration application (submitted via TAD).	Penalty：False information can lead to registration revocation.
5	Obtain the CUIT tax number (ARCA). Apply for CUIT with the registration certificate and register relevant taxes (e.g., IVA). CUIT is required to invoice, hire employees, and open bank accounts.	ARCA (formerly AFIP).	Usually 24 hours to 15 working days after submission.	Low government fees.	ARCA tax registration (CUIT).	Penalty：No CUIT means no invoicing, hiring, or account opening.
6	Social security, municipal permits, and bank account opening. Employees require ANSES registration; obtain the municipal business license per jurisdiction; open a corporate account with CUIT and the registration certificate (see the banking dimension).	Company / ANSES / municipality / bank.	Several weeks	Permit fees + account maintenance fees.	ANSES social security registration, municipal business license (Habilitación), bank KYC	Penalty：Operating without municipal permits is penalized; delayed account opening affects operations.

✅ Self-check list

⚠ Common pitfalls

Missing resident director/legal representative影响：SRL/SA require local resident directors; otherwise registration cannot complete or corrections are demanded later.规避：Appoint a locally resident director or legal representative (apoderado) in advance and sign a service agreement to clarify responsibilities.

Confusing IGJ and provincial registry jurisdiction影响：Wrong registry leads to rejection and delays.规避：Confirm the business location: capital CABA and certain businesses fall under IGJ; other provinces under the local commercial registry.

Documents not certified/translated影响：Foreign shareholder documents rejected, registration stalls.规避：Apostille (or consular certify) foreign articles, passports, and credit certificates, and have them translated into Spanish by a certified public translator.

Misapplying the minimum capital figures影响：The SA minimum capital changed after the 2024 reform (Decree 209/2024); using old standards or false declarations creates compliance risk.规避：Follow the latest IGJ published rates and reserve paid-in capital (25% for SRL).

Injecting capital before ODI filing影响：Illegal outbound fund flow from China affects profit repatriation规避：The Chinese parent should complete NDRC, MOFCOM, and SAFE ODI filing before remitting capital

Delaying CUIT/municipal permits影响：Cannot invoice, hire, or operate lawfully规避：Complete CUIT and the local Habilitación promptly after registration

📅 Ongoing post-incorporation obligations

Maintain a valid registered address and legal representative
Annual financial statements and (where required) audit, corporate annual report
Continuous CUIT tax filings (monthly IVA, annual CIT)
Monthly social security contributions for employees (ANSES)
Record articles or equity changes with IGJ promptly
Keep beneficial owner information updated

🔗 Official portals

IGJ (National Public Commercial Registry)ARCA (Tax and Customs Authority, formerly AFIP)Argentina Ministry of Economy (foreign investment/RIGI)

📎 Source：IGJ (Public Commercial Registry); AFIP; Companies Law and Commercial Law

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