Alejandra Monteoliva held a high-level meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, as part of bilateral negotiations aimed at Argentina’s possible return to the Visa Waiver Program, which allows short-term travel to the United States without a visa for tourism or business purposes.

The meeting was described by the Argentine official as a key moment of strategic cooperation, focusing on regional security, counter-narcotics efforts, and transnational organized crime. Both sides also advanced in the technical assessment required for Argentina’s potential reinstatement into the program.

According to official sources, the possibility of Argentine citizens traveling visa-free to the United States for the first time since 2002 is gaining momentum in the bilateral agenda. Government officials have mentioned 2027 as a potential target year, although the process remains dependent on strict technical audits and compliance requirements set by Washington.

Argentina was part of the Visa Waiver Program between 1996 and 2002, becoming the only Latin American country ever admitted. The program was suspended following the 2001 economic crisis, amid changes in migration and security indicators.

Currently, Argentine citizens must apply for the B1/B2 visa to enter the United States for tourism or business, involving consular interviews, costs, and processing delays. If reinstated, the system would be replaced by the ESTA electronic travel authorization, a faster and more cost-efficient digital process.

However, progress depends on compliance with strict security benchmarks, including visa rejection rates, information-sharing mechanisms, biometric systems, and migration cooperation. U.S. Department of State data shows Argentina’s visa rejection rate stood at 7.47% in 2025, above the threshold required for entry into the program.

Despite these challenges, expectations are growing in the tourism and diplomatic sectors over a potential agreement that could significantly reshape travel flows between both countries.