Chile reduces U.S. Visa Waiver non-compliance rate to 1.5%

Chile has achieved a significant reduction in the rate of citizens overstaying their authorized period of stay under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2025, the non-compliance rate fell to 1.5%, marking a 35% decrease from the previous year and reaching its lowest level in six years.

Despite this improvement, Chile maintains the highest non-compliance rate among participating countries, alongside Portugal, Spain, and Qatar, which are the only nations in the program exceeding the 1% threshold.

Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna noted that the program benefits approximately 350,000 Chileans annually, allowing for tourism or business travel for up to 90 days without a traditional visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed the improvement to intensified collaboration between Chilean authorities, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, the Civil Registry, the Investigative Police, and Carabineros, to ensure compliance with U.S. requirements.