Visa for Argentinians traveling to New York: everything you need to know in 2026

If you're Argentine and planning your trip to New York, there's something you need to know from the start: Argentina is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which means that, unlike Chileans, Argentines need to apply for a B1/B2 visa before traveling. It's not ESTA — it's the full process with a form, payment, appointment, and in-person interview at the embassy.

But there's very important news for 2026, which we'll tell you about at the end of this guide.

What is the B1/B2 visa and what is it for?

The B1/B2 visa is for tourism and business. It is the mandatory document for an Argentine citizen to enter the United States. Argentina is not part of the Visa Waiver program, so it is a mandatory requirement to have a visa to enter the country.

The B1 visa is for business trips and the B2 for tourism, but in practice, they are processed together and both are granted in a single document. This is what you need if you are going to New York for vacation.

How much does the B1/B2 visa cost?

The MRV fee, which is the base cost of the application, is approximately USD 185 and is non-refundable. This means that if your visa is rejected, you will not get that money back.

In addition, in 2025 an additional fee called "Visa Integrity Fee" for USD 250 was approved, but as of this update, it is not yet operationally implemented in the Argentine consular system. It is advisable to stay alert because it could apply at any time.

In summary: the current minimum cost is USD 185 non-refundable just to be able to apply for the visa, regardless of the outcome.

How long does the process take?

This is one of the most critical points. Wait times for interviews can vary widely depending on demand and season. For B1/B2 tourism or business categories, appointments can take more than 70 days in Buenos Aires.

This means that if you are planning to travel to New York, start the process at least 3 months in advance. Don't leave it until the last minute because you won't get an appointment.

Step-by-step: how to apply for a B1/B2 visa from Argentina

Step 1 — Complete the DS-160 form

Completing the DS-160 online is easy and does not require third-party assistance. Go to https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ and fill in all your personal, employment, travel information, and previous travel history. At the end, you will get a confirmation code that you will need for the next step. Save it carefully.

The form is in English, but you can complete it with the help of a translator. Each section asks about your employment situation, ties to Argentina (family, property, job), purpose of travel, and passport details.

Step 2 — Pay the MRV fee

Once you have completed the DS-160, pay the USD 185 through the official visa portal. The payment method enabled in Argentina is bank transfer or payment at Rapipago/Pago Fácil with the code provided by the system. Save the proof of payment.

Step 3 — Schedule your appointment

All appointments are managed through the official portal ais.usvisa-info.com/es-ar/niv. There you create your profile, upload your DS-160, and coordinate the dates for the CAS and the interview at the Embassy.

You need to schedule two appointments:

• CAS (Applicant Service Center): located at Avenida Córdoba 5160, CABA. There, your fingerprints and biometric photo are taken.
• Consular interview: at the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires.

Step 4 — Prepare for the interview

The interview is the most important part of the process. The consular officer will ask you questions about the purpose of your trip, your employment and economic situation in Argentina, and your ties to the country. The goal is to demonstrate that you have solid reasons to return to Argentina and that you are not going to stay and live in the United States.

Bring these documents on the day of the interview:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of travel
• DS-160 form confirmation
• Proof of fee payment
• Appointment confirmations (CAS and embassy)
• Documents that demonstrate your ties to Argentina: payslip, employment contract, property deed, certificate of enrollment if you are a student
• Hotel reservation or accommodation in New York
• Approximate travel itinerary
• Bank statement for the last 3 months

Step 5 — Wait for the result

After the interview, the officer will tell you if the visa was approved or if it needs further review. If approved, they will keep your passport for a few days to affix the visa stamp and then return it to you by mail or you can pick it up at the CAS.

How long is the B1/B2 visa valid for?

The B1/B2 visa is generally granted with a validity of 10 years and allows multiple entries. Each time you enter the United States, you can stay for up to 90 days as a tourist. Once you have it, you don't need to renew it until it expires or until your passport expires.

Can your visa be rejected?

Yes, and the fee money is not refunded. The most common reasons for rejection are:

• Not demonstrating sufficient ties to Argentina (stable job, family, property)
• History of overstaying on previous trips to the U.S.
• Inconsistent answers during the interview
• Criminal record
• Not having sufficient funds for the trip

If rejected, you can reapply for the visa, but it is advisable to wait and strengthen your situation before trying again.

The most important news of 2026: Argentina could enter the Visa Waiver Program

Here's the information Argentines are most looking for this year. Javier Milei signed a letter of intent for Argentina to join the Visa Waiver Program. The program implies that people would not need the B1/B2 visa, which currently requires in-person interviews and long waiting times, and costs USD 185 in Argentina. Instead, they would need to apply online for an electronic authorization called ESTA, which has a significantly lower cost and is usually approved quickly.

However, the reality is more complex. Although negotiations have advanced significantly during the first half of 2026, implementation is not immediate. Officials and sector specialists estimate that, if all technical and security requirements are met, Argentines could start entering without a visa from 2027.

For those with planned trips during 2026, experts recommend not waiting for the exemption and applying for the traditional visa in advance. This is because, even if the agreement is signed soon, the operational launch of the system usually takes additional time.

In summary: if you are traveling in 2026, apply for the B1/B2 visa now. Don't wait for ESTA because it won't be ready in time.

Final tips before your interview

• Arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment, with everything printed and organized
• Answer clearly and directly, without giving too many unnecessary details
• If you don't speak English, the interview can be conducted in Spanish
• Do not mention that you have undocumented relatives living in the U.S.
• Demonstrate that you have solid reasons to return to Argentina

Do you already have your visa and are you ready to travel?

The visa application is just the first step. Once you land in New York, the real questions begin: how do I get out of JFK airport? Where can I exchange dollars without being scammed? What do I do if I get lost on the subway at 2 AM?

At InfoLatino, we are with you from the moment you get off the plane until you return home. With our Pro Pack, you get real 24/7 WhatsApp support, a personalized itinerary, discount codes, and much more — all in Spanish and for less than the visa fee.