Narayan AmmachchiLatin Americans are finding that their passports are growing weaker, with most advanced nations viewing the region through a lens of high crime rates and migration risk.
Except for Chile, no Latin American country has visa-free access to the U.S. Meanwhile, Caribbean nations fear their citizenship-by-investment programs could put their visa-free travel to Europe at risk.
Only six LatAm countries have visa-free access to more than 150 destinations, according to the latest passport ranking by Henley & Partners. Even emerging economies like Ecuador and the Dominican Republic are facing restrictions in nearly 100 countries.
“Countries often conduct detailed risk assessments before offering visa-free access,” explains Thirumal Motati, Founder of Visa Traveler, an advisory firm specializing in passport mobility.
Granting such access “depends on a nation’s economic and political stability, crime rates, migration trends, and diplomatic ties.”
Motati, who lives in Mexico, points to strong diplomatic and security ties as the key to the improved passport strength of Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.
By contrast, Mexico and Colombia battle negative stereotypes—often linked to drug trafficking and organized crime. Citizens of Honduras, Bolivia, and Guatemala are often perceived as high-risk migrants seeking economic survival.
Visa-free access isn’t just about convenience—it unlocks economic opportunities and facilitates international collaboration for domestic businesses.
Many Latin American countries could achieve this goal if they invest financial and diplomatic resources in securing such agreements, according to Nuri Katz, founder of Apex Capital Partners Corp, which advises Citizenship by Investment Programs in the Caribbean.
“Many countries refuse to negotiate due to concerns over illegal immigration, crime, and money laundering. However, finalizing these agreements should be a top priority for foreign ministries (of LatAm countries),” Katz said.
Chile, Uruguay and Argentina
On a global scale, Chile’s passport holds its ground against those of high-income nations like Japan, Singapore, and Germany.
Like Chile, Argentina and Uruguay once enjoyed visa-free access to the United States.
“Argentina and Uruguay were part of the US Visa Waiver Program but were removed in 2002 and 2003, respectively,” Motati added. Argentina was dropped due to economic instability, while Uruguay lost its spot following a recession.
Brazil and Argentina continue to enjoy visa-free access to over 170 countries, including Japan and richer part of Europe. “Japan has a significant diaspora in Brazil and Peru which has led to closer ties and fewer visa restrictions for both,” Motati added.
Mexico and Uruguay, however, have more limited mobility, with access to only 159 and 157 countries, respectively.
“Uruguay is making progress,” says Motati. The South American nation has implemented e-passports and strengthened data-sharing agreements with the US. Those are steps that enhance prospects for greater visa-free travel.
In 2024, the US visa refusal rate for Uruguayans dropped to just 2.63%—a promising sign.
As Motati also says, with visa refusal rates below 3%, Uruguay and Argentina could soon regain their place in America’s Visa Waiver Program, restoring their citizens’ ability to enter the US without a visa.
Caribbeans’ Losing Edge
Caribbean nations that trade citizenship for investment are under mounting scrutiny from both Europe and the United States.
The European Union has repeatedly warned that it may soon revoke visa-free access for these nations, arguing that CBI (Citizenship by Investment) programs could become a gateway for individuals with questionable backgrounds to enter its territory.
Beyond security concerns, the EU views these programs as enablers of money laundering and tax evasion.
In December 2024, the EU stripped Vanuatu, a small island nation in the South Pacific, of its visa-free travel privileges, citing serious security risks tied to its “golden passport” scheme. Vanuatu grants citizenship in exchange for a minimum investment of $130,000.
The pressure isn’t just from Europe. In March 2022, two U.S. Congressmen introduced the bipartisan No Travel for Traffickers Act, urging the U.S. government to work alongside the EU in eliminating visa-free travel for countries with CBI programs.
Supporters of the bill argued that these programs suffer from weak vetting, lax due diligence, and rampant misuse by human traffickers, international criminals, and corrupt oligarchs. However, the U.S. Congress ultimately blocked the bill.
Despite Western opposition, China and Britain continue to extend visa-free access to several Caribbean nations.
“China has bilateral visa-free agreements with Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda,” Katz added.
Add comment