Work for abroad: how to charge in dollars from Argentina without losing money
How to open a U.S. account from Argentina with GrabrFi, receive payments from abroad without losing money to fees, and choose where to work from.
Working from abroad is the easy part
You landed a client in the United States. Or full-time work for a Madrid startup. Or your Upwork profile finally took off. Congratulations: the hard part is over.
Now come the small problems nobody tells you about. How do you get paid without half of it disappearing in fees? And from where do you work when your home has turned into an office, dining room, and storage unit all at once?
In this post we're covering both things. First the money: how to collect in dollars with a US account opened from Argentina, using GrabrFi. Then the space: how to have a professional place to work without locking yourself into a contract.
The hidden cost of collecting from abroad
Collecting from abroad has always had a hidden cost. If you get paid by SWIFT transfer to an Argentine bank, each transfer can leave between USD 30 and USD 60 in commissions. If you use an intermediary platform, the percentage is charged when you receive it, when you withdraw it, and sometimes for the card.
Separately they seem like small amounts. Added up over a year, it's a salary you didn't collect.
And then there's the other issue: keeping your money in dollars, in a safe place, and you deciding when and at what exchange rate to convert it to pesos. Not your bank, not the platform.
A US account without getting on a plane
Until a few years ago, having a US account meant flying to Miami, leaving a high minimum deposit, and having an address there. Today there are fintechs working in partnership with regulated US banks that let you open one 100% online. GrabrFi is one of them, and it's designed specifically for Latin America.
What you get is a real dollar account, with Routing Number and Account Number to receive ACH and Wire transfers, plus a virtual Visa debit card (instantly) and physical (delivered to your home in Argentina).
What you need to open it:
- Valid Argentine ID or passport (passport usually speeds up approval).
- A phone to download the app and do biometric validation.
- Be over 18 years old and reside in Argentina.
No need for SSN (Social Security Number) or a US address: you register as a non-resident.
How to open it, in five steps:
- Download the GrabrFi app (iOS or Android) and register with your information exactly as it appears on your ID.
- Take a photo of your document and do the proof of life (selfie or short video).
- Upload your actual address in Argentina.
- Wait for activation: according to GrabrFi, between 10 and 20 minutes in general, and up to 48 hours if there's manual review.
- Copy your Routing and Account Number and pass them to your clients or platforms (Deel, Upwork, Airbnb and similar).
How much does it cost? According to GrabrFi, opening and monthly maintenance are free, receiving ACH transfers has no cost, and receiving an international Wire costs between USD 0 and USD 5 depending on the sending bank. As always with money matters, check the current conditions on their website before opening it.
If you want the complete step by step, GrabrFi has a detailed guide on how to open a US account from Argentina.
And when you need pesos
You collect in dollars, but rent and groceries are paid in pesos. From the GrabrFi app you choose to withdraw to an Argentine bank account, enter the amount in dollars, see the current rate, and receive the pesos in your CBU or CVU. According to the company, the exchange rate stays close to MEP and credit takes between 24 and 48 business hours.
The key is that you choose the moment. You can leave the dollars in the account and withdraw only what you need each month.
Is it legal? Yes. Having an account abroad as an Argentine resident is allowed. What corresponds is to declare those balances in Personal Assets to ARCA if they exceed the non-taxable minimum. If you have doubts about your case, consult with your accountant.
The other half: where you work
Solving how you get paid is half the setup. The other half is where you spend eight hours a day.
The noisy café works until you have a call with a client. Home works until the internet cuts out in the middle of a demo, or until you go three weeks without talking to anyone who isn't on Zoom.
With Desky you reserve coworking spaces in Latin America and Europe when you need them: a desk for the day, a meeting room for that important call, an office for the week. No fixed membership or permanence contract.
And if you travel, the same access follows you: Buenos Aires this week, Mexico City or Madrid the next.
A tip if you work as an employee for a company abroad: ask if they give you a workspace benefit. More and more companies with remote teams offer it through Desky, and they only pay for what the team uses.
Exclusive benefit: using the code GRABRFI10 at checkout gives you 10% OFF on your reservation.
Your complete remote setup
Working from abroad from Argentina is one of the best professional decisions you can make. But for it to work, the setup has to measure up: a way to get paid that doesn't eat your salary and a workplace that's up to your clients' standards.
With GrabrFi you solve the first. With Desky, the second. The rest is up to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a US account without traveling?
Yes. With fintechs like GrabrFi the opening is 100% online, with your ID or passport and a phone, no SSN or US address needed.
Can I collect from Deel or Upwork in that account?
Yes. You enter your Routing and Account Number in the platform's payment settings, just as you would with any US bank.
Do I have to declare the account?
Having the account is legal. Balances are declared in Personal Assets if they exceed the non-taxable minimum.
Do I need a membership to use a coworking space with Desky?
No. You reserve by day, by hour, or by week, depending on what you need, in spaces in Latin America and Europe.
Do you work remotely and need a place to concentrate or meet a client? Reserve a desk or a room in minutes, no contracts, and use the code GRABRFI10 at checkout to get 10% OFF. 👉 START SAVING NOW
Published by the Desky team — October 2026