Chileans who wish to travel to USA have recently received excellent news, as it has been confirmed that Chile will continue to be part of the Visa Waiver program. This program allows citizens of certain countries, including Chile, to enter the United States without a visa for a period of up to 90 days. The inclusion of Chile in this program reflects the country’s good status in terms of economic and human development, as well as its low immigration rate to the United States.
In South America, Chile is the only country that enjoys this benefit, which places it in a privileged position alongside nations such as Japan, Australia, New Zealand and members of the European Union. This policy has considerably facilitated the travel of Chileans to United States territory, simplifying procedures and saving time and costs for travelers. However, this visa-free access has generated some concern in sectors of American society, where some see “criminal tourism” as a threat that could jeopardize Chile’s permanence in the Visa Waiver.
In particular, the Michigan State Police even requested that Chile be removed from the program Visa Waiverarguing that it allowed the entry of people involved in criminal activities. Despite these criticisms, the Chilean government has assured that the country’s participation in the program is not at risk at the moment. However, Chilean authorities recognize that Chile’s status in the Visa Waiver is not permanent and is subject to ongoing evaluation by the US government.
To guarantee the continuity of this benefit, the Chilean authorities have intensified cooperation with USA regarding security and migration. In a recent meeting in Washington, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Gloria De la Fuente, discussed with the Undersecretary of State of the United States, Kurt M. Campbell, the importance of strengthening collaboration on issues such as organized crime and security border. Both sides highlighted the need to exchange information more effectively to meet program requirements.
During this meeting, the significant increase in the exchange of information about Chilean citizens traveling to USAwhich has allowed both countries to advance in compliance with the Visa Waiver criteria. This cooperation has been key for Chile to maintain its status in the program, benefiting both Chilean travelers and US authorities.
