US Ambassador seeks to return Argentina to Visa Waiver Program

United States Ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas, has confirmed he is working to reintegrate Argentina into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This program would allow Argentine citizens traveling for tourism or business to enter the United States without the need for traditional consular visas.

Lamelas emphasized the shared democratic values between the two nations and noted that travelers who act in good faith and follow rules should benefit from such access. Data shows a significant increase in travel between the nations, with 687,444 Argentines traveling to the U.S. in 2024, representing a 15.3% increase from the previous year.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly began the process for Argentina to rejoin the program in late July 2025. Expectations are that the program could be operational by early 2027. Lamelas also linked these diplomatic efforts to a broader goal of attracting American investment to Argentina, particularly in critical infrastructure and reliable technology.