In a move to boost inbound tourism and strengthen bilateral ties, Argentina has eased entry rules for Indian citizens holding valid US tourist visas.
The new regulation, published in the Official Gazette,
exempts Indian passport holders from applying for an Argentine visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE) if they possess a current US tourist visa. The National Immigration Directorate will verify eligibility before granting entry.
This reciprocal gesture mirrors India’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, already accessible to Argentine tourists at no cost. Just last month, Argentina extended similar waivers to citizens of China and the Dominican Republic under the same condition.
Tourism Secretary Daniel Scioli welcomed the move, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that the policy aims to “facilitate inbound tourism and support Argentine sports.” Deregulation Minister Federico Sturzennegger added, “Indian citizens will be able to enter Argentina without a visa or AVE, without paying any fees, if they have a valid US visa.”
Clarifying the change, he stressed that Indians would “no longer be required to apply” for additional permissions. Sturzennegger cited strong potential, noting, “Some 2.2 million Indians travelled to the US in 2024, and the US grants more than a million visas per year to India. So this change should help facilitate tourism in our country, a request that Secretary Scioli has been insistently urging.”
Officials also highlighted diplomatic backing for the policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reportedly encouraged President Javier Milei to ease travel procedures during their July meeting in Buenos Aires. Argentine Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino underscored that “promoting tourism to our country is a top priority of our government.”
With India’s expanding middle class and growing appetite for international travel, Argentina expects increased visits to landmarks such as Patagonia, Iguazu Falls, and Buenos Aires. Tourism contributes more than 5% to Argentina’s GDP, and authorities see visa relaxations as a key step to revitalise the sector.
Bilateral trade between India and Argentina, valued at around $6 billion annually, could also benefit from closer people-to-people connections. Airlines and travel agencies are already promoting Argentina as a new destination for Indian travellers.
The policy takes effect immediately, positioning Argentina as a more accessible destination for Indian tourists while reinforcing economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
