Romanians Set for Visa-Free U.S. Travel Starting This Spring!

Romania was officially recognized as the 43rd nation to participate in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) on Friday, January 10. As per Andrei Muraru, the Romanian ambassador to Washington, citizens of Romania will be permitted to visit the US without a visa requirement starting March 31, 2025.

“Romania becomes the inaugural country in the Black Sea region to join this prestigious program, designed to enhance bilateral and regional security collaboration,” ambassador Muraru declared.

The US Department for Homeland Security also disclosed in an official announcement that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) anticipates that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application and mobile platform will be revised on or around March 31, 2025, facilitating most nationals of Romania to apply for travel authorization to the United States under the VWP for tourism or business for a duration of up to 90 days without needing a visa. These authorizations typically remain 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 continue to be an option for Romanian nationals, the same source indicated.

During the event in Bucharest commemorating Romania’s accession to the Visa Waiver Program, US ambassador Kathleen Kavalec remarked: “With implementation, the majority of Romanian travelers coming to the United States for business or tourism will no longer be required to personally obtain a physical visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. Instead, visa exemptions will be processed online, often within three days. This will conserve time and resources for Romanians traveling to the US and reduce obstacles for Romanian businesses wishing to collaborate with American companies.”

She also mentioned that the US Embassy in Bucharest will reveal the precise date when the online visa waiver system will become active in the upcoming weeks.

At the same event, as reported by Hotnews.ro, prime minister Marcel Ciolacu noted: “Romanians will have the opportunity to travel visa-free to the United States starting at the end of March. This marks a significant milestone we have all anticipated for over 16 years. It feels as though history is advancing swiftly for Romania these days. It was just 10 days ago that we were fully integrated into the Schengen Area, and today we received the formal announcement from the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security regarding our nation’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program.”

Additionally, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis released a statement, commenting, “The inclusion of our nation in the Visa Waiver Program has been a mutual objective for both Romania and the United States, grounded in the strong bond we possess. Romanian authorities will maintain close collaboration with their American counterparts to satisfy ongoing requirements for reciprocity and data exchanges.”

The US State Department confirmed on November 27, 2024, that Romania attained a visa refusal rate of 2.61% for the fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024), thus fulfilling one of the crucial criteria for entry into the Visa Waiver Program.

Besides the visa refusal rate prerequisite, Romania’s inclusion into the program necessitated meeting critical standards concerning travel document security, information sharing, and executing specific initiatives to tackle terrorism and illegal migration.

The Visa Waiver Program constitutes an extensive security partnership between the United States and designated nations, allowing citizens of these nations to travel to the US visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. The program emphasizes combating terrorism and transnational crime, including illegal migration, and mandates ongoing information sharing with participating countries.

Under the Visa Waiver Program, visas for tourism and business purposes (B-1/B-2) for stays of up to 90 days are no longer mandatory for eligible individuals. Romanian citizens and nationals intending to travel to the United States must seek online authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The ESTA application fee is USD 21, as indicated in a guide released by the US Embassy in Romania.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

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