The United States ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas, confirmed that he is working to achieve the country's return to the Visa Waiver Program, the regime that allows citizens of participating nations to travel for tourism or business for up to 90 days without applying for a conventional visa.
The diplomat referred to the initiative this Wednesday through a post on his X account, where he linked the efforts to the bilateral relationship and stated that he also seeks to promote a greater influx of U.S. investments to Argentina.
Peter Lamelas, United States Ambassador to Argentina
“I am also working to bring Argentina back to the Visa Waiver Program,” Lamelas stated. In this regard, he maintained that both countries are “two Western nations united by freedom and democratic values” and noted that Argentines who travel in good faith, follow the rules, and arrive for tourism or business “should be able to enter the United States without a visa.”
The U.S. representative added that he is working to attract new investments from his country and emphasized the importance of generating conditions of trust between both nations.
Peter Lamelas with Pablo Quirno
“More investment. More trust. More security. More freedom. Argentina and the United States, together,” he summarized at the end of his message.
The process to return to the Visa Waiver
The possibility of rejoining Argentina to the program began to formally advance in July 2025, during the visit to the country by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem.
Kristi Noem with Javier Milei
On that occasion, officials from both governments signed a declaration of intent to begin the process of reincorporating Argentina into the Visa Waiver Program, as officially reported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The country had previously been part of the regime during the 1990s, until it was excluded in 2002. Currently, however, Argentina is still not listed among the eligible nations, so Argentine citizens continue to need a visa to travel under the usual conditions.
Javier Milei with Peter Lamelas
If the return is realized, eligible Argentines could enter U.S. territory for tourism or business for a maximum of 90 days without obtaining a visa beforehand, although they would still need an ESTA electronic authorization before traveling.
Lamelas' new statement confirms that Washington is keeping the negotiation initiated in 2025 open, at a time when both governments are deepening their diplomatic and economic ties.
