What the temporary certificate is, what it lets you do while Migraciones decides, how to renew it, and what it does not do.
The precaria (temporary certificate) is a document Migraciones may issue once your residence application has started. It lasts up to 90 days, can be renewed, and lets you stay, leave, re-enter, work and study while you wait for a decision.
Article 20 of the migration law, as rewritten by the 2025 decree, sets the rules.
A press report says that before the decree a precaria lasted 180 days. Guides that still say so are out of date.
The law only says Migraciones may issue a precaria once the procedure has started. We found no clear statement from Migraciones of exactly when the first one is issued, and the sources we read disagree.
Whatever happens in your case, the date that matters is the expiry date printed on your certificate. Your plan uses that date for its reminders.
A fee applies when the renewal is "attributable to the applicant": ARS 10,000 (about USD 6 at ARS 1,540 on 6 October 2026) for non-Mercosur nationals and ARS 5,000 (about USD 3 at ARS 1,540 on 6 October 2026) for Mercosur nationals. We have not found a definition of when a renewal counts as attributable.
Some points are unclear: whether the window counts calendar days or business days, and whether you can renew after the expiry date. Do not leave renewal to the last day.
The precaria lets you leave Argentina and come back. But renewal works only from inside Argentina. A trip that covers your renewal window can leave you unable to renew in time.
The government pages we read do not set out what happens if your precaria runs out while you are abroad. Treat that as a serious risk. Speak to an independent lawyer before any trip that comes close to your expiry date.
Some people renew their precaria many times before a decision. One forum report: A couple renewed a precaria every 90 days for over 12 months because a document was missing from the digital file and "officials never flagged it".
If you are charged in a criminal case that could bar residence, the decree says your residence file is suspended and a precaria is issued instead. Speak to a lawyer straight away.
Read DNI, CUIL, CUIT: which number you need for the numbers you can get while you wait. If you have not chosen a route yet, start with the Route Finder.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, talk to a lawyer
Each route page sets out the test, what you need and what it costs.
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