The United States has removed Romania from the Visa Waiver Program. This decision was announced on May 2, 2025. Find out the reason for this decision and how Romanian citizens can now travel to the United States

The United States has canceled plans to include Romania in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens of selected countries to travel to the United States without a visa for tourism or business for up to 90 days. Romania was previously expected to join the program on March 31, 2025, but on the eve of this date, the US government suspended the planned accession, citing the need to re-evaluate the country's compliance with the VWP requirements, and on May 2, 2025, it announced that it would exclude Romania from the Visa Waiver Program.

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Why did the US exclude Romania from the Visa Waiver Program?

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in cooperation with the Department of State (DOS), conducted an updated assessment of the Program's security and compliance standards. As a result, it was decided not to include Romania in the list of participating countries. The main arguments are the Trump administration’s increased focus on border security, immigration control, and preserving the integrity of the VWP.

Despite the current decision, DHS notes that Romania may reapply for the program in the future.

How will this decision affect Romanian travelers?

Romanians who planned to travel to the United States without a visa are now forced to apply for standard B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas. This involves an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, which may require more time and effort due to the limited number of available appointments.

Travelers with existing B-1/B-2 visas can continue to use them without changes.

What is a B-1/B-2 visa and how to get one?

The B-1 visa is intended for individuals planning to travel to the United States for business purposes – for example, to attend meetings, negotiations, or conferences. The B-2 visa is suitable for tourism, recreation, visiting relatives, or medical treatment. These visas are often issued together as a combined B-1/B-2 visa.

To obtain this visa, Romanian citizens must complete the DS-160 form online, pay a consular fee, and schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You should be prepared to provide documents confirming the purpose of the trip, financial capacity, and intention to return to Romania after the visit.

The visa usually allows multiple entries to the United States over several years, but the maximum length of a single stay is up to 6 months - at the discretion of the U.S. Border Patrol upon entry.

Do Americans need a visa to travel to Romania?

U.S. citizens are already eligible to travel to Romania visa-free for tourism or business purposes for short-term stays (up to 90 days), provided that their passport is valid for at least three months from the date of arrival.

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Why should tourists visit Romania? Read the link.

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Changes to Romania’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program mean that a B-1/B-2 visa will be required to travel to the United States in 2025. It is important for travelers to plan their trips in advance and take into account the new requirements.

Get advice from a migration lawyer and learn the current rules for traveling to the USA.

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We will remind you! Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen area on January 1, 2025. This decision allowed people to travel freely without passport control at internal borders with other members of the zone. We have already told you how such innovations affect tourists and what benefits you can expect.

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