The United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced recenty that Romania would become the 43rd country to be welcomed into US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which would enable Romanian nationals to enter the United States without a visa and remain for a duration of up to 90 days.
Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken express their appreciation to Romania for fulfilling the rigorous security criteria necessary for participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Romania stands out as a remarkable partner to the United States, and the strategic alliance between our nations has significantly strengthened in recent years. The inclusion of Romania in the VWP serves as a testament to our strategic collaboration and our mutual dedication to security and economic advancement.
The VWP represents the culmination of extensive security collaborations between the United States and selected countries that adhere to stringent standards concerning counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. Among the program’s stipulations is the requirement for a nonimmigrant visitor visa refusal rate of less than 3 percent in the preceding fiscal year; the issuance of secure travel documents; the provision of reciprocal travel rights to all US citizens and nationals, irrespective of national origin, religion, ethnicity, or gender; and active cooperation with US law enforcement and counterterrorism entities.
Romania has made a considerable, coordinated governmental effort to satisfy all program criteria, which includes establishing partnerships with the United States to exchange information on terrorism and serious criminal activities with US law enforcement and security organizations, as well as enhancing its vetting processes for individuals traveling to and through Romania.
As with all countries participating in the VWP, the Department of Homeland Security will consistently oversee Romania’s adherence to all program requirements and, as mandated by law, will conduct a thorough evaluation of Romania’s ongoing eligibility for the VWP based on the national security and law enforcement interests of the United States at least once every two years.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expects that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online and mobile applications will undergo updates around March 31, 2025. This enhancement will enable the majority of Romanian citizens and nationals to apply for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for tourism or business purposes for a duration of up to 90 days without the necessity of obtaining a US visa in advance. Generally, these authorizations are valid for a period of two years. Travelers holding valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to utilize their visas for entry into the United States, and B-1/B-2 visas will still be available to Romanian citizens. ESTA applications can be accessed online or by downloading the “ESTA Mobile” application from the iOS App Store or Google Play store.
US citizens currently benefit from visa-free travel to Romania, allowing them to stay for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes, provided they possess a passport that remains valid for at least three months from their date of arrival.
