The Government will give this Monday the first formal step for Argentina to enter the Waiver Program (VWP) visa, The system that would allow Argentine citizens to travel to the United States for tourism or businesses up to 90 days without processing a traditional visa.
This important initiative It will be formalized within the framework of the visit of the US Secretary of National Security, Kristi Noem.
What is the Waiver Program visa and how does it work?
The Waiver Program visa is a bilateral agreement which allows citizens of selected countries to enter the United States for tourism or business without visa for up to 90 days.
It should be noted that this program was created in 1986 to facilitate travel and strengthen commercial relations between the United States and its closest allies.
According to official information, if the entry of Argentina, citizens would no longer need visa B1/B2, that today requires face -to -face interviews in the consulate and long waiting times that can extend several months.
Instead, they should process an electronic authorization called this (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
No visa: what are the advantages of the system this
The cost is US $ 21 (approximately $ 21,000 Argentine pesos at the current exchange rate). The procedure is completely online, without face -to -face interviews. The approval time usually is approved in minutes or hours. The validity is two years or until the passport is over and also allows you to travel as many times as you want during its validity.
These are the requirements to access the Waiver Program visa
So that Argentina can enter the VWP, It must meet strict requirements established by the United States National Security Department:
Security criteria
The visa rejection rate must be less than 3% per year. The exchange of information is by sharing intelligence and security data. On biometric passports, it was reported that all citizens must have passports with security chip, and border controls are immigration systems compatible with US standards
Economic and diplomatic criteria
In bilateral relations, solid diplomatic ties must be maintained. In terms of safety cooperation, anti -terrorism and organized crime should be collaborated and in reciprocity, the entry of US citizens should be allowed in similar conditions
However, high -level diplomatic sources clarified that Monday’s announcement is only the beginning of a process That can take several months or even years. The final decision does not depend on Argentina, which must now exceed a series of exhaustive technical and security evaluations.
The step by step of the project includes:
- Formal application: Official presentation before the Department of National Security.
- Technical evaluation: review of security systems and border controls.
- Land inspection: American officials evaluate Argentine infrastructure.
- Test period: monitoring of compliance with requirements for several months.
- Final decision: approval or rejection by the US Congress.
Travel without visa: What countries already have the benefit?
Currently, more than 40 countries are part of the program, including economic powers such as Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Australia. Most are nations developed with strong diplomatic and commercial ties with the United States.
In South America, only Chile has been admitted so far, becoming in 2014 in the first Latin American country to be part of the program. Chilean citizens can travel to the US only with the process this for more than a decade.
This Monday’s announcement marks the beginning of an ambitious process that could transform relations between Argentina and the United States, facilitating not only tourism but also commercial and academic ties between the two countries.
