Argentina and the United States signed a letter of intent on 28 July that begins the formal process for Argentina to re-enter Washington’s Visa Waiver Program. President Javier Milei hosted U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the Casa Rosada, where Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein and Security Minister Patricia Bullrich also endorsed the document. Rejoining the scheme would allow Argentines to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days after obtaining an online ESTA authorisation, avoiding the more expensive B1/B2 visa. Argentina was part of the programme from 1996 to 2002 but was removed after its economic crisis; Chile is currently the only South American participant among the 42 eligible countries. Noem cautioned that meeting the programme’s security, immigration and counter-terrorism standards typically takes at least a year. Buenos Aires committed to upgrade electronic passports, share biometric data and cooperate more closely on law-enforcement efforts as part of the review. Roughly 1.2 million Argentines travel to the United States annually, a figure officials say could rise once the waiver is restored.