US to help Argentina re-enter visa waiver programme, DHS says
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FILE PHOTO: The seal of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seen in Del Rio, Texas, U.S., September 19, 2021. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo
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BUENOS AIRES - The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking steps to bring Argentina back into its visa waiver programme in the coming years, the agency said on Monday during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's visit to Buenos Aires.
Argentina was part of the programme between 1996 and 2002. The scheme allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa, if their home nations meet counter-terrorism, law enforcement and immigration requirements.
Noem in a statement said that Argentina had the lowest visa overstay rate among Latin American countries, and that Argentine travel to the US had been increasing.
She noted that Argentina had become an "even stronger friend" to the United States under President Javier Milei.
Libertarian Milei has sought to align himself with US President Donald Trump, who has lauded Milei's deregulation efforts and called the Argentine leader his “favorite president."
The DHS announcement comes shortly after Argentina decided to loosen visa requirements for Chinese visitors, saying those with valid US entry visas would not need Argentine visas to enter the country for tourism or business. REUTERS
