The Argentine government has decided to change its migration policy in order to stop the practice of so-called "maternity tourism" from Russia.
This was stated in an interview with RBC by the Argentine ambassador to Moscow Enrique Ignacio Ferrer Vieira. According to him, this practice has gained momentum after the abolition of the visa regime between the countries.
The diplomat stressed that this measure was aimed at developing cultural and tourist exchange, and not for the flow of pregnant women who specifically go to give birth in Argentina in order to obtain citizenship for a child.
The essence of the policy changes is that previously parents of newborns could apply for citizenship immediately after giving birth if they themselves are over 18 years old.
And now applicants for Argentine citizenship will have to prove the presence of a permanent place of residence during the last two years and the fact of continuous stay in the country during the same period.
Vieira cited data from official statistics, according to which more than 23 thousand Russians arrived in Argentina in the period from 2022 to 2023. The Ambassador admitted that the vast majority came solely for the sake of a passport, but many eventually stayed in the country.
This was greatly facilitated by the Migration Service of Argentina, which began suspending and canceling the residence permit of Russians who received it through the birth of a child, but did not stay to live in the country.
Earlier, EADaily reported that the Argentine police launched an investigation against the sister of the president of the country, who was involved in a corruption scandal.