Latest news with #VisaWaiverProgram
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows Countries That Are Part of US Visa Waiver Program
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said Monday that Argentina was likely to rejoin the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing visa-free travel to the U.S. Noem said that part of the reason for the move was a rise in Argentinian tourism to the U.S. in the past year, along with low visa overstays. Why It Matters Adding a country to the VWP takes time and requires it to meet strict security requirements, but getting on the list means a far easier process for nationals visiting the U.S., including avoiding a new $250 "visa integrity fee" being introduced by the Trump administration. What To Know The VWP allows visitors to the U.S., including those traveling for business, to spend up to 90 days in the country without needing to apply for a visitor visa, with some caveats. There are currently 41 nations on the list, with Chile the only other South American country as of July 2025. Nationals from these countries have to apply for a what is known as an ESTA, through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, ahead of traveling, and must be approved by the U.S. Department of State through this. An ESTA currently costs $21 per application, but this will rise to $40 from October 1, 2025, following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. While that cost may affect some travelers, it will still be less than for those from other countries applying for a B visitor visa, which costs $185. That will soon have the $250 visa integrity fee added on top. For VWP applicants, there are certain criteria that must be met. The State Department will not approve ESTAs for those who: Have traveled to or been present in Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen since March 1, 2011 Have traveled to or been present in Cuba since January 12, 2021 Are also nationals of Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria. The VWP is also not applicable to those coming to the U.S. to study for credit, for employment, to work as foreign press or other media, or to live as a permanent resident. All of these require different immigration pathways. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (L) and Argentina's Security Minister Patricia Bullrich shake hands after signing a bilateral agreement at the Casa Rosada government palace in Buenos Aires on July 28, 2025. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (L) and Argentina's Security Minister Patricia Bullrich shake hands after signing a bilateral agreement at the Casa Rosada government palace in Buenos Aires on July 28, 2025. ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images As for Argentina—which was part of the VWP until 2002 when economic instability and concerns around illegal immigration were raised during the Bush administration—it will have to comply with the American rules in order to rejoin. According to the State Department, a country has to share enhanced law enforcement and security-related data with the U.S., issue e-passports, have a low visitor-visa refusal rate, timely reporting of passport issues, and be able to prove it maintains high counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and border controls. In the Department of Homeland Security's press release on the intention to get Argentina back on the VWP, Noem said Argentina now had the lowest visa overstay rate in Latin America. What People Are Saying U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, in a press release: "Argentina now has the lowest visa overstay rate in all of Latin America and 25 percent more Argentines traveled to the U.S. in the first four months of this year compared to last year—the biggest jump of any of the top 20 international arrivals. That is why we are now taking steps to allow Argentina back into the Visa Waiver Program. "This statement of intent I signed alongside Minister Werthein and Minister Bullrich highlights our strong partnership with Argentina and our mutual desire to promote lawful travel while deterring threats. This kind of diplomatic leadership, spearheaded by President Trump, will help increase the safety of both countries." Republican Florida Representative Maria Salazar, on X: "This marks a powerful step toward restoring trust, deepening U.S.-Argentina ties, and bringing Argentina back onto the world stage. Under [Javier Milei], Argentina is emerging as a regional model of economic freedom, transparency, and strong democratic values." What's Next Argentina will have to be vetted further by the U.S. government before it can rejoin the VWP.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Argentina returns to America's visa waiver program, netizens celebrate
Image credits: X/@Sec_Noem Argentina seems to be going up and up in America's list of allies in recent years. The second-largest country in South America has been working with the Trump administration in ways that are not only beneficial for it but also for the US. Recently, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to X to share how Argentina had returned to America's visa waiver program. She shared how the country now has the lowest visa overstay rate in all of Latin America, and 25% more Argentines have travelled to the United States in the first four months of 2025 as compared to 2024, marking the biggest jump in any top 20 international arrivals. Noem appreciated Argentinian President Javier Milei's leadership, adding how Argentina is becoming an even stronger friend to the United States. "That is why we are now taking steps to allow Argentina back into the Visa Waiver Program. I was pleased to sign a statement of intent alongside Minister Werthein and Minister Bullrich, which highlights our strong partnership with Argentina and our mutual desire to promote lawful travel while deterring threats." What is the US Visa Waiver Program ? Image credits: X/@Sec_Noem The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for 90 days or more without requiring a visa. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Arabian Sea Facing Apartments - Mahalaxmi, South Mumbai Lodha Bellevue Click Here Undo All travellers need is a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval and must meet the necessary requirements. Argentina was previously a part of the program from 1996 to 2000. Though the country has been reinstated now, it could take years to meet the program's security and immigration requirements. Alberto Fohrig, director of international co-operation at Argentina's Security Ministry, said on Radio Mitre that if the country's entry in the program was successful, it would allow 1.2 million Argentines who travel to the United States each year to enter without a visa for 90 days for both tourism and business. People on the internet are already welcoming and applauding Argentina's entry back into the visa waiver program, with positive comments. Netizens react to Argentina's return to the Visa Waiver Program Image credits: Getty Images Netizens have been commenting positive reactions and welcoming messages to the Argentinians and appreciating President Milei's leadership. "interesting connections... are they ready for what's coming? That's what happens when you put america first... everyone benefits!," wrote one appreciating Argentina's work on improving relations with the US. "Milei is a great smart leader and I respect and trust in secy Noem. No one has impressed me more. Thank you Kristy Noem!" added another. "Argentine President @JMilei paved the way and provided a sound blueprint for how a government should be run. 💪🏽," applauded another. Many pointed out Argentina's steady development over the years, "Argentina is on the way back to prosperity," and "Travel soaring and barriers lowering—momentum looks strong 🇦🇷✈️"
Los Angeles Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump moves to lift visa restrictions for Argentina in a boost t his right-wing ally
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The United States and Argentina on Monday announced that they are working on a plan to allow Argentine tourists to again travel to the U.S. without a visa. It probably will take two to three years before visa-free travel becomes a reality for Argentine passport holders, but the Trump administration's move to kickstart the process marked a show of support for President Javier Milei, its staunchest ally in South America and a darling of conservatives around the world. The gesture coincided with a visit by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital, for closed-door meetings with Milei and his officials. Noem signed the statement of intent alongside Security Minister Patricia Bullrich in Milei's office. Noem, on horseback at the country's sprawling Campo De Mayo army base and donning a cowboy hat and jeans, told reporters that the Trump administration would put Argentina on an 'expedited path' to enrollment in the Visa Waiver Program. Still, she cautioned that securing approval within the next year 'would be very difficult,' according to a White House pool report. The Department of Homeland Security praised Milei for reshaping Argentina's foreign policy in line with that of the U.S. 'Under President Javier Milei's leadership, Argentina is becoming an even stronger friend to the United States — more committed than ever to border security for both of our nations,' the statement said. This first step toward waiving visa requirements for Argentines, it added, 'highlights our strong partnership with Argentina and our mutual desire to promote lawful travel while deterring threats.' The department cited Argentina as having the lowest visa overstay rate in the U.S. of any Latin American country. The removal of rigorous U.S. visa requirements — particularly at a time when President Trump is tightening restrictions for foreign nationals — would offer a symbolic victory to Milei, a self-described 'anarcho-capitalist' who rose to power as a far-right outsider mimicking Trump's war-on-woke rhetoric and skillful use of social media. When he became the first world leader to visit Trump after the U.S. election, Milei pranced around Mar-a-Lago like an excited school boy. At the Conservative Political Action Committee convention in Washington in February, he gifted billionaire Elon Musk a bureaucracy-slashing chainsaw to support his DOGE campaign to eliminate government waste. When not riding the far-right, pro-Trump speaking circuit, Milei is focused on straightening out South America's second-largest economy after years of turmoil under left-wing populist rule. Through tough budget cuts and mass layoffs, Milei has succeeded in driving down Argentina's notorious double-digit inflation. The last time Argentines didn't require a visa to enter the U.S. was in the 1990s under another free-market devotee, the late former President Carlos Menem. Menem's neo-liberal reforms and pegging of the peso 1 to 1 to the U.S. dollar destroyed Argentina's industry, exacerbating poverty in what a century ago was one of the world's wealthiest countries. In the crisis that followed, the U.S. reimposed visa restrictions in 2002 as young Argentines seeking to flee misery lined up at European embassies and began to migrate illegally to the U.S. 'Argentina has had the advantage of the program before, and they're looking to get back on track and reenrolled,' Noem, who grew up on a farm in rural South Dakota, said while feeding sugar cubes to a dark brown horse named Abundance, according to the pool report. When pressed about her talks with Milei, she was short on specifics, saying they discussed security partnerships and 'the business we could be doing together.' She said she appreciated Milei's 'embrace' of Trump's policies. The Argentine presidency described Monday's preliminary agreement as 'a clear demonstration of the excellent relationship, based on trust' between Milei and Trump. After riding Abundance through the grassy fields of the army base, Noem rejoined U.S. and Argentine officials for asado — the traditional meat-centric barbecue and a national passion. She is the third member of Trump's Cabinet to meet Milei in Buenos Aires this year, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. More than 40 mostly European and wealthy Asian countries belong to the exclusive club that allows their citizens to travel to the U.S. without a visa for up to three months. However, border officers have the power to turn anyone away. About 20 million tourists use the program each year. Currently, Chile is the only Latin American country in the program. Overseas travel to the U.S. plunged in the early days of Trump's return to the White House as tourists, especially from Latin America, feared being caught in the administration's border crackdown. Some canceled travel plans to protest his foreign policy and anti-immigrant rhetoric. But those numbers began to rebound in April, with more than 3 million international arrivals — 8% more than a year earlier — from countries other than Mexico or Canada, according to the International Trade Administration, an agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce. In addition to clamping down on the southern border, Trump has put up additional obstacles for students, tourists and others looking to travel to the U.S. His recently passed 'big, beautiful' bill of domestic priorities calls for the enactment of a new 'visa integrity fee' of $250 to be charged in addition to the cost of the visa itself. Travel industry executives have expressed concern that the charge could drive away tourists who contribute more than $2 trillion annually and 9 million jobs to the U.S. economy, according to the International Trade Administration. About a quarter of all travelers to the U.S. come from Latin America and the Caribbean, the agency says. Arrivals from Argentina have jumped 25% this year — a bigger increase than from any other country. Debre and Goodman write for the Associated Press. Goodman reported from Medellin, Colombia.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
U.S. signs agreement to help Argentina re-enter Visa Waiver Program
July 28 (UPI) -- The Trump administration finalized a plan Monday that will help Argentina reinstate visa-free travel for its citizens. Argentina's re-entry to the Visa Waiver Program, which is expected to take up to three years before Argentine passport holders can travel without a visa to the United States, was announced Monday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following meetings in Buenos Aires. "Under President Javier Milei's leadership, Argentina is becoming an even stronger friend to the United States -- more committed than ever to border security for both of our nations," said Noem. "Argentina now has the lowest visa overstay rate in all of Latin America and 25% more Argentines traveled to the United States in the first four months of this year compared to last year -- the biggest jump of any of the top international arrivals," she added. "That is why we are now taking steps to allow Argentina back into the Visa Waiver Program." While Argentina was removed from the Visa Waiver Program in 2002, Monday's intent to reinstate the country shows a growing support between the two nations and between President Donald Trump and Milei. The Argentine government called Monday's signing a "clear demonstration of the excellent relationship" between President Milei and Trump. Last week, a report from J.P. Morgan found a "deep and surprising" recovery in Argentina's economy under Milei, as the country's president has managed to lower inflation, secure fiscal balance and strengthen foreign reserves. Noem signed the agreement along with Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein and Argentine Minister of National Security Patricia Bullrich. "This statement of intent I signed alongside Minister Werthein and Minister Bullrich highlights our strong partnership with Argentina and our mutual desire to promote lawful travel while deterring threats," Noem said. "This kind of diplomatic leadership, spearheaded by President Trump, will help increase the safety of both countries." The Visa Waiver Program requires Argentina meet strong security requirements before final reinstatement, including revised travel policies, enhanced border security and data sharing. The U.S. Visa Waiver Program allows citizens from certain counties to travel to the United States for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without needing a visa. More than 40 countries, including in Europe and Asia, are already part of the program. Argentina's inclusion could benefit the country, politically and economically, and raise its global standing. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
a day ago
- Business
- UPI
U.S. signs agreement to help Argentina re-enter Visa Waiver Program
1 of 2 | DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the agreement, giving Argentina re-entry into the Visa Waiver Program, "highlights our strong partnership with Argentina and our mutual desire to promote lawful travel while deterring threats." File Photo by Anna Rose Layden/UPI | License Photo July 28 (UPI) -- The Trump administration finalized a plan Monday that will help Argentina reinstate visa-free travel for its citizens. Argentina's re-entry to the Visa Waiver Program, which is expected to take up to three years before Argentine passport holders can travel without a visa to the United States, was announced Monday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following meetings in Buenos Aires. "Under President Javier Milei's leadership, Argentina is becoming an even stronger friend to the United States -- more committed than ever to border security for both of our nations," said Noem. "Argentina now has the lowest visa overstay rate in all of Latin America and 25% more Argentines traveled to the United States in the first four months of this year compared to last year -- the biggest jump of any of the top international arrivals," she added. "That is why we are now taking steps to allow Argentina back into the Visa Waiver Program." While Argentina was removed from the Visa Waiver Program in 2002, Monday's intent to reinstate the country shows a growing support between the two nations and between President Donald Trump and Milei. The Argentine government called Monday's signing a "clear demonstration of the excellent relationship" between President Milei and Trump. Last week, a report from J.P. Morgan found a "deep and surprising" recovery in Argentina's economy under Milei, as the country's president has managed to lower inflation, secure fiscal balance and strengthen foreign reserves. Noem signed the agreement along with Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein and Argentine Minister of National Security Patricia Bullrich. "This statement of intent I signed alongside Minister Werthein and Minister Bullrich highlights our strong partnership with Argentina and our mutual desire to promote lawful travel while deterring threats," Noem said. "This kind of diplomatic leadership, spearheaded by President Trump, will help increase the safety of both countries." The Visa Waiver Program requires Argentina meet strong security requirements before final reinstatement, including revised travel policies, enhanced border security and data sharing. The U.S. Visa Waiver Program allows citizens from certain counties to travel to the United States for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without needing a visa. More than 40 countries, including in Europe and Asia, are already part of the program. Argentina's inclusion could benefit the country, politically and economically, and raise its global standing.
