Argentine Passport: Ranking and Visa-Free Countries in 2026
Where the Argentine passport takes you without a visa: its Henley Passport Index rank, Schengen, the UK, Japan, China, Mercosur, and the United States question.
Short answer: the Argentine passport ranks 16th on the Henley Passport Index (October 2026 edition) with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 169 destinations. That includes the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and China, and every country in South America. It does not include the United States, where Argentines still need a visa.
Quick summary
| Destination | Access for Argentine citizens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen area | Visa-free short stays (90 days in 180) | Passport Index |
| United Kingdom | Visa-free short visits | Henley & Partners |
| Ireland | Visa-free | Passport Index |
| Japan | Visa-free, 90 days | Passport Index |
| China | Visa-free, 30 days | Passport Index |
| Mexico | Visa-free | Passport Index |
| Mercosur and South America | Free movement and residence arrangements | IMI Daily |
| United States | Visa required | US DHS |
Visa rules change. Check the destination’s official guidance before you travel.
How the ranking works
The Henley Passport Index counts the destinations a passport holder can enter without a visa obtained in advance, out of 227. Argentina’s 169 places it 16th in the October 2026 edition. Earlier 2026 editions placed it 15th with 168. In his 2 October 2026 announcement the Economy Minister described the passport, more conservatively, as accepted in more than 140 countries.
Mercosur
Argentina is a founding member of Mercosur. Its citizens benefit from residence arrangements across much of South America, which let them live and work in member and associated states. Some industry sources say a newly naturalised citizen may need to have held Argentine citizenship for a period before using the Mercosur residence route in some countries. Check each country’s rules.
The United States
Argentina was removed from the US Visa Waiver Program in 2002, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. On 28 July 2025 the two governments signed a statement of intent toward Argentina’s return, and DHS said the process would take time. Reports say the process was paused in September 2025, and in 2026 Argentina’s security minister named 2027 as the target. Until then, Argentine citizens need a US visa.
How it compares with the passport you hold
The value of a second passport depends on the first. Compare the destinations you travel to most with both passports’ access, and remember that some countries look at the nationality you entered with, not the one you hold now.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries can Argentines visit without a visa?
169 destinations, visa-free or with a visa on arrival, according to the Henley Passport Index (October 2026).
Can I enter Europe with an Argentine passport?
Yes, for short stays in the Schengen area without a visa. The EU’s ETIAS travel authorisation, when it applies, will be needed as for other visa-free nationals.
Can I live in other South American countries?
Argentine citizens benefit from Mercosur residence arrangements. The conditions vary by country.
When will Argentines travel to the US without a visa?
Not before Argentina rejoins the Visa Waiver Program. Officials have named 2027 as a target.
Sources
- Henley Passport Index ranking, read 14 October 2026
- Passport Index: Argentina, read 14 October 2026
- US DHS: Argentina to rejoin the Visa Waiver Program, 28 July 2025
- IMI Daily: pricing and launch timeframe, 2 October 2026