The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the United States Department of State (DOS) announced on January 10, 2025, that Romania has been designated as a participant in the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows visa-free travel to the United States for periods of no longer than ninety (90) days. Romania is a member of the European Union. This admission has been granted on the basis of Romania’s nonimmigrant visa refusal rate below 3% during the previous fiscal year; its issuance of secure travel documents; its extension of reciprocal entry privileges to all U.S. citizens; and its work with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities. DHS will continually monitor Romania’s compliance with all program requirements and may in the future terminate Romania’s participation in the VWP.
On or around March 31, 2025, the VWP Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application and mobile app will be updated to allow citizens and nationals of Romania to apply to travel to the United States for B-1 business visits or B-2 visits for pleasure of no longer than 90 days without first obtaining a B-1/B-2 U.S. visa stamp. This authorization should be valid for two years initially and may be extended. Romanian citizens with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use these visas for travel to the United States if they wish, and Romanian citizens may also apply for B-1/B-2 visas if they prefer. There is no obligation for such persons to use the VWP.
United States citizens may already travel to Romania without visas for stays up to 90 days. They must have a passport that is valid for at least three months from the date of arrival.
Under the VWP, citizens and nationals of Romania may apply for authorization to travel to the United States through the ESTA online site or the ESTA mobile app starting on or around March 31, 2025.
Romania is the 43rd member of the VWP and the fourth country added under DHS Secretary Mayorkas’s tenure. Croatia was added in 2021, Israel in 2023, and Qatar in 2024. Information on the VWP can be accessed at www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program.
