How to Use Mercado Pago Without a DNI
You don't need an Argentine DNI to pay with Mercado Pago. Peanut lets you scan any Mercado Pago QR code in Argentina using just your passport for verification. The whole process takes under 2 minutes, and you can start paying at over 1,000,000 merchants right away.
Why Mercado Pago Normally Requires a DNI
Mercado Pago is Argentina's most widely used payment system. Supermarkets like Carrefour, Dia, Coto, and Jumbo accept it, along with restaurants, cafes, kiosks, and pharmacies across the country. But signing up for a Mercado Pago account requires a DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad), which is Argentina's national ID. Foreigners without residency can't get a DNI, which means they can't open a Mercado Pago account directly.
This leaves tourists, digital nomads, and expats stuck paying with foreign credit cards at worse exchange rates, or dealing with cash.
How Peanut Solves This
Peanut bypasses the DNI requirement entirely. Instead of creating a Mercado Pago account yourself, Peanut connects to the Mercado Pago QR network on your behalf. You scan the same QR codes that locals scan, and the merchant receives pesos instantly in their Mercado Pago account. From the merchant's perspective, it looks like any other Mercado Pago payment.
You verify your identity with Peanut using your passport or national ID card from any country. No DNI, no Argentine bank account, no CBU or CVU needed.
The Rate Advantage
When you pay with a foreign credit card in Argentina, your transaction goes through the MEP exchange rate. Peanut converts your digital dollars directly to pesos at the market rate, which yields 5-8% more pesos per dollar than the MEP rate that cards use. On a $100 purchase, that's $5-8 in savings.
There are no fees on Peanut payments. The rate you see is the rate you get.
How to Pay with Mercado Pago Using Peanut
- 1
Download the app and create an account
Sign up with your email or phone number. You can browse the app and view exchange rates immediately.
- 2
Verify your identity
Upload a photo of your passport or national ID card, then take a selfie. Verification is handled by Persona, a SOC 2 Type 2 certified provider. Peanut never sees your documents. Most users are verified in under 2 minutes.
- 3
Fund your account
Deposit digital dollars to your Peanut balance. You can deposit from any major exchange or via bank transfer (SEPA, ACH, wire).
- 4
Find a Mercado Pago QR code
Look for the QR code sticker at the merchant's point of sale, or ask if they have Mercado Pago. Over 1,000,000 merchants across Argentina accept it.
- 5
Scan and pay
Open the app, tap "Pay," and scan the QR code. Review the merchant name, the amount in Argentine pesos, and the exchange rate. Confirm the payment. The merchant receives pesos instantly.
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What Works and What Doesn't
Peanut supports both static QR codes (printed stickers at the register) and dynamic QR codes (generated on screen for a specific amount). Both work the same way.
The $2,000 per-transaction limit applies to foreign users paying via QR. If you need to make a larger payment, you can split it across multiple transactions. Monthly limits may also apply depending on your region. You can check your transaction limits for details, or contact support to request an increase.
If Something Goes Wrong
If a QR code doesn't scan, make sure you're scanning a Mercado Pago QR and not a MODO or Cuenta DNI code. If the payment fails after scanning, check your balance and try again. Payments that fail mid-transaction are rolled back automatically. For issues with QR scanning or payment errors, the app will show a clear error message explaining what happened.
If you need to verify your account and run into trouble, you can retry with clearer photos. Manual review takes 1-3 business days if the automated check is inconclusive.