Argentina moves toward visa exemption with the U.S.
Argentina begins the process of visa-free travel to the U.S.: it signed an agreement and seeks to rejoin the waiver program in the coming years.
Photo: Senate of the Argentine Nation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Argentine government, led by President Javier Milei, signed an agreement with the United States to begin the process of reintegrating into the Visa Waiver Program, which would allow Argentine citizens to enter the United States without a traditional visa in the future.
A key visit
The announcement was made on Monday, July 28, during the official visit to Buenos Aires by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. In a meeting with Milei, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, and Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, a declaration of intent was signed, initiating the formal evaluation process.
"This is a historic step that seeks to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and facilitate tourism and trade ties," Noem said during the joint conference.
Strict requirements
Entry into the program is not immediate. Argentina must meet a series of technical and security requirements imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including:
- Maintain a visa rejection rate of less than 3 %.
- Implement advanced e-passport systems with biometric data.
- Improve information sharing on security and terrorism.
- Strengthen repatriation and migration control mechanisms.
Speaking to the press, Bullrich stated that "Argentina already meets many of these requirements" and that the goal is to achieve the remaining standards "within no less than a year."
An expected return
Argentina was part of the Visa Waiver Program between 1996 and 2002, but was excluded amid the economic crisis and the rise of irregular immigration to the United States. Since then, Argentine citizens must apply for a tourist or business visa, with interviews at embassies or consulates and wait times that sometimes exceed six months.
Currently, 41 countries participate in the program, including Chile, Japan, Spain, and Australia. Citizens of these countries can travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, simply by applying for an electronic authorization called ESTA.
Estimated deadlines
U.S. officials noted that the evaluation process typically takes between one and three years. "This is not a symbolic process, but a rigorous technical process that requires coordination between agencies in both countries," said sources at the Department of Homeland Security.
However, the current political context, marked by the closeness between the governments of Milei and Donald Trump (who is leading in the polls for the US presidential election), could facilitate certain instances of bilateral cooperation.
Impact and expectations
Argentina's entry into the Visa Waiver Program would represent a significant change for thousands of citizens who travel to the U.S. each year for tourism, business, or family visits. According to official data, travel from Argentina to the United States has increased by 25% in 2025, and the irregular stay rate is currently the lowest in all of Latin America.
If implemented, the need for in-person procedures at consulates would be eliminated, allowing Argentines to travel with a simple online authorization, in line with the experience of European countries.
However, the path to full visa exemption will be long and will depend on both political will and compliance with strict technical conditions.
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