Peru seeks U.S. Visa Waiver entry and expanded trade cooperation

Peru's Ambassador to the United States, Álvaro Vargas Llosa, is seeking to initiate dialogue with Washington to potentially include Peru in the Visa Waiver Program. The process is described as being in a very preliminary stage and will require a gradual approach. To qualify, countries must meet strict U.S. criteria, including high standards for security information exchange, electronic passport issuance, and maintaining a B-visa rejection rate below 3%.

In addition to visa discussions, the Ambassador highlighted opportunities for increased bilateral cooperation in trade and investment. He noted that the U.S. interest in Latin America, particularly regarding critical minerals produced in Peru, presents a strategic opportunity for the country. Vargas Llosa aims to leverage this interest to boost commerce and investment, suggesting that current trade levels exceeding $20 billion could potentially triple in the coming years. He emphasized a pragmatic approach that seeks to benefit from U.S. interest without displacing China as a major commercial partner.