Argentinian Citizenship on the Rise: United States Begins Process to Exempt Argentinians from Visa Requirements

A Diplomatic Milestone with Global Implications

On July 28, 2025, Argentina achieved a landmark geopolitical success: President Javier Milei signed a historic agreement with the United States to begin the process of Argentina’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—the prestigious scheme that allows citizens of selected countries to enter the U.S. without a visa, requiring only a digital travel authorization (ESTA).

This strategic development not only elevates Argentina’s international standing, but also enhances the global value of Argentine citizenship as a powerful mobility asset.

What Was Signed?

During an official visit to Buenos Aires, Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, signed a joint declaration of intent with the Argentine government—marking the first formal step toward Argentina’s readmission to the VWP, a program it briefly joined in the 1990s.

The agreement outlines a series of bilateral commitments, including:

• Adoption of advanced border security standards and biometric passports

• Information sharing on criminal records and security threats

• Agreements on repatriation procedures and migration cooperation

• A gradual reduction of B1/B2 visa denial rates to meet VWP technical criteria

  
  
  
  

What Does It Mean for Argentine Citizens?

Once Argentina joins the VWP, Argentine passport holders will be able to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a traditional visa—only needing to complete a simple online ESTA application, just like citizens of Germany, France, Spain, Japan, Australia, or Chile.

Key advantages include:

• Significant savings in time and visa application costs

• Increased flexibility for business trips or international events

• Strengthening of the Argentine passport as a tool for global mobility

The Argentine Citizenship: More Valuable Than Ever

This announcement adds to a wave of recent reforms that are rapidly positioning Argentine citizenship as one of the most attractive in Latin America, especially for those seeking a second nationality with global benefits:

Citizenship by Investment

Since July 2025, under Decree 524/2025, foreign nationals can obtain Argentine nationality through significant investment in strategic sectors, with final approval by the National Directorate of Migration.

Simplified Tax Residency

Argentina offers accessible and streamlined residency pathways for entrepreneurs, investors, remote workers, and digital nomads, including access to banking, tax ID (CUIT), and favorable tax schemes.

Expansive Visa-Free Access

With visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 countries, the Argentine passport already provides unrestricted travel to regions such as the European Union, United Kingdom, South Korea, Israel, South Africa, and much of Latin America—and potentially soon, the United States.

What Are the Next Steps?

Argentina’s full admission to the Visa Waiver Program will not happen overnight. However, the process is now officially underway. The roadmap includes:

• Implementation of enhanced biometric passports

• Biometric data exchange with U.S. security agencies

• Ongoing evaluation of Argentina’s immigration and repatriation protocols

• Technical audits and compliance reviews by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

  
  

Official sources estimate that Argentina may receive final approval between 2026 and 2027, provided all diplomatic and technical benchmarks are met.

Argentina as a Platform for Global Projection

This U.S. agreement aligns with Argentina’s broader strategy of promoting citizenship as a vehicle for attracting talent, investment, and international mobility.

For global investors, independent professionals, and digital nomads seeking legal certainty and worldwide access, Argentina now stands out as a strategic entry point to the West.

Key benefits:

• A citizenship with growing access to key global markets

• Opportunity to obtain dual nationality without renouncing the original one

• Clear, transparent legal frameworks for residency and investment

• Strong diplomatic ties with global powers

Conclusion

Argentina is not only modernizing its immigration policies, it is actively projecting its citizenship as a global strategic asset.

The agreement with the United States is far more than a consular formality—it is a geopolitical breakthrough that redefines the value of the Argentine passport, positioning the country as a rising migration, financial, and diplomatic hub in Latin America.

For those seeking new life opportunities, investment vehicles, or global mobility, Argentina today represents one of the most promising destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.