Argentina has made the journey easier for Indian citizens. Native Americans with a valid US tourist visa can enter Argentina without a visa. The purpose of this new policy is to attract more tourists. The government expects to promote tourism revenue. The move is expected to strengthen the relationship between Argentina and India. Travel companies promote Argentina to Indian travellers.
Argentina has announced that Indian citizens holding a valid US tourist visa will no longer be required to obtain an Argentine visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the country. The policy published in the Official Gazette takes effect immediately and applies to holders of ordinary Indian passports.
The move is part of Argentina's wider plan to attract more international tourists while reducing entry barriers. The National Immigration Directorate will verify each case in coordination with other authorities before allowing entry.
Tourism Secretary Daniel Scioli welcomed the step, saying it aims to facilitate inbound tourism and support Argentine sports. Deregulation Minister Federico Stuzenberg also clarifies on X: "Indian citizens will be able to enter Argentina without a visa or AVE without paying any fees if they have a valid US visa."
Sturzenneggar pointed to travel trends, 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 the Secretary of Tourism, Sports, and Environment Daniel Osvaldo Scioli has been instantly urging."
He further underlined that easing processes is essential, adding: "It's impossible to improve tourism if we don't make it easier for them to come!"
The policy reflects Argentina's recent decisions to waive visa requirements for Chinese and Dominican Republic citizens under similar conditions. It also reflects a reciprocal gesture, as Argentine citizens already access India's Electronic Travel Authorisation system at no cost.
Argentine Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino highlighted the government's focus, stating: "Promoting tourism to our country is a top priority of our government, and for this reason, we seek to facilitate the mechanism so that more and more Indians visit Argentina."
With India's growing middle class and rising outbound travel, the measure is expected to draw more visitors to destinations such as Patagonia, Iguaçu Falls and Buenos Aires. Analysts also see potential for strong people-to-people ties to complement the bilateral trade value of around $6 billion annually.
Officials view the move as part of President Javier Milei’s deregulation agenda designed to cut bureaucracy and stimulate economic activity. Travel companies are already marketing Argentina and India to audiences with the expectation that the change will contribute to the nation's tourism revenue, which accounts for over 5% of the country's GDP.
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