The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday its intention to restore Argentina as a partner in the US visa waiver program.
According to a press release from DHS, Secretary Kristi Noem said a statement was signed between her and Argentine Ministers Gerardo Werthein and Patricia Bullrich. Noem declared that Argentina has become, under President Javier Milei, a strong US ally, and has made itself eligible for the visa waiver program.
“Under President Javier Milei’s leadership, Argentina is becoming an even stronger friend to the United States—more committed than ever to border security for both of our nations,” said Secretary Noem. “Argentina now has the lowest visa overstay rate in all of Latin America and 25 percent more Argentines traveled to the U.S. in the first four months of this year compared to last year—the biggest jump of any of the top 20 international arrivals. That is why we are now taking steps to allow Argentina back into the Visa Waiver Program.”
President Trump has called Milei his “favorite president” from another country and lauds the progress Argentina has made through his leadership since his election in 2023. Milei is known for his libertarian stance toward politics and the reform, or even abolition, of governmental agencies deemed wasteful.
The US government removed Argentina from the visa waiver program in 2002. The program is designed to allow citizens of other countries with overall sufficient national security to travel in the US for 90 days without a visa. Most of Western Europe and several Eastern European countries are in the program. Qatar, South Korea, and Taiwan are also in the program, along with Australia and New Zealand. If Argentina is re-admitted into the program, it will be the second South American country, along with Chile, on the list.
“The Visa Waiver Program designation process takes time, as partners must meet strong security requirements, but the statement of intent indicates DHS’s support and commitment to working with Argentina as it works diligently to meet eligibility criteria in the coming years,” DHS wrote.
