Argentina
Peter Lamelas said he wants Argentina to return to the U.S. visa-free entry program
The U.S. ambassador in Buenos Aires said he is working to bring the country back into the Visa Waiver Program. He also linked that goal to bilateral ties and the arrival of investment.
Peter Lamelas, the United States ambassador to Argentina, said he is pushing for the country’s return to the Visa Waiver Program, the system that allows travel to U.S. territory for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
According to what he posted on his social media accounts, the diplomat said that Argentines who travel “in good faith,” comply with the rules and travel for those reasons “should be able to enter the United States without a visa.” In the same message, he also said he is working to attract more U.S. investment to Argentina and linked that goal to “trust” and the use of “trusted technology” in critical infrastructure.
According to Clarín, the agreement tied to this process was signed in July 2025 after a meeting between Javier Milei and Kristi Noem, Donald Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security. Argentina had already been part of that scheme in the 1990s, until 2001.
The program also requires prior authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding a flight to the United States. To obtain it, travelers must complete an online application and hold a passport valid for at least six months after the planned departure from that country.
La Nación added that in August 2025 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the start of the process for Argentina’s entry into the program. That outlet also said that Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva estimated the system could be operational by early 2027, although she also said she avoided setting a precise date for reentry.
According to La Nación and Perfil, 687,444 Argentines traveled to the United States during 2024. Perfil added that around 290,000 Argentines currently reside in that country.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not conduct its own reporting on this fact.
