Romania will officially be part of the Visa Waiver Program starting March 31, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday, after an event scheduled in Washington D.C., attended by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Romania’s Ambassador to the United States Andrei Muraru. Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in consultation with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, designated Romania as a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The collaboration and information sharing at the core of the VWP will significantly enhance the security interests of the United States in addition to encouraging legitimate travel and commerce between the two nations.
Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken commend Romania for meeting the stringent security requirements to join the VWP. Romania is an exceptional U.S. partner, and our strategic relationship has only grown stronger over the past several years. Romania’s entry into the VWP is evidence of our strategic partnership and our shared commitment to security and economic prosperity.
The VWP is a culmination of comprehensive security partnerships between the United States and designated countries that meet strict requirements related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. Program requirements include that the country have a rate of nonimmigrant visitor visa refusals below 3 percent during the previous fiscal year; issues secure travel documents; extends reciprocal travel privileges to all U.S. citizens and nationals without regard to national origin, religion, ethnicity, or gender; and works closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities. Romania put forth a significant whole-of-government effort to meet all program requirements, including entering into partnerships with the United States to share information on terrorism and serious crimes with U.S. law enforcement and security agencies, and enhancing its vetting of individuals traveling to and through Romania. As with all VWP participating countries, DHS will continually monitor Romania’s compliance with all program requirements and, as required by statute, conduct a comprehensive assessment of Romania’s continued designation in the VWP on the national security and law enforcement interests of the United States at least once every two years.
CBP anticipates the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application and mobile application will be updated on or around March 31, 2025, to allow most citizens and nationals of Romania to apply to travel to the United States under the VWP for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa. These authorizations are generally valid for two years. Travelers with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use their visa for travel to the United States, and B-1/B-2 visas will remain an option for Romanian citizens. ESTA applications may be found at esta.cbp.dhs.gov or download the “ESTA Mobile” application through the iOS App Store or the Google Play store.
U.S. citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to Romania and are eligible to stay in Romania for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes if they have a passport that is valid for at least three months from the date of arrival.
Romania is the 43rd member of the VWP and the fourth country added under Secretary Mayorkas’s tenure (Croatia (2021), Israel (2023), and Qatar (2024)). Additional information on the VWP can be found at www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program.
It is my pleasure to announce that today, in Washington, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas formally designated Romania as the 43rd country to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
Addressing the Event Formalizing the Decision of the U.S. authorities regarding Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, US Ambassador to Romania, Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec said that this is a historic moment for our bilateral relationship, and the result of several years of work between our two governments.
“For over 28 years, the United States and Romania have benefited from a strategic partnership based on shared democratic values, expanding economic and cultural ties, and cooperation on security and defense as close NATO Allies and partners. Now, with today’s announcement, it is clear that our relations are only getting stronger.
The Visa Waiver Program enhances our mutual security, economic, and cultural interests, as well as our people-to-people ties.
I expect it will supercharge our relationship, giving a boost to our growing economic ties, encouraging more investment in both directions.
Speaking of which, it’s worth mentioning once again that the United States moved up last year to become the fourth largest foreign director investor in Romania, up from position number five. With this news today, I expect we will keep moving up,” said the American ambassador.
The US envoy pointed out that “today Romania is further integrated into an international network of cooperation, one that makes both of our countries stronger, safer, and more secure.”
“Upon implementation, most Romanian travelers visiting the United States for business or tourism will no longer need to go in person to obtain a physical visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Instead, approvals to travel visa-free will be processed online, usually in less than three days. This will save time and money for Romanians traveling to the U.S. and lower barriers for Romanian businesses seeking to partner with American businesses.
Romanians can now more easily take advantage of last-minute travel deals to the U.S. – for holidays, concerts, performances, and sporting events, for example.
This will also facilitate travel for important life celebrations with friends and loved ones in the United States, like births, baptisms, graduations, and weddings.
Of course, following today’s announcement it will take some time for the required systems to go online for Romanian travelers.
In the coming weeks, we will announce the exact date when the online visa waiver system goes into effect. Our Embassy website will have all the details on how to travel to the United States without a visa,” Kathleen Kavalec said.
The American ambassador in Bucharest also congratulated Romania for the entry into full Schengen, a step the United States.
“Congratulations to Romania on this important accomplishment, which also helps facilitate travel, including of Americans entering Romania!”.
The US official also mentioned and thanked all the local authorities and experts involved in the process of Visa Waiver.
“But back to Visa Waiver – now is the right time to thank the many people who helped to make this happen.
Prime Minister Ciolacu – your leadership of Romania’s government effort motivated your team to overcome challenges and successfully meet the visa waiver program requirements.
State Secretary Necula – through the many agencies within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, you ensured Romania was ready and able to implement every aspect of this agreement.
Former Minister Odobescu and State Secretary Tinca, I want to thank you for your partnership in advancing this program — as well as all of the colleagues the Foreign Ministry who contributed to making this day possible.
Thank you to the members of the Romanian Parliament for your advocacy and legislative support. Your expertise and support was critical to this effort.
Mr. Sporis and Ms. Pupazeanu, I want to thank the American Chamber of Commerce and all of its many member companies that supported the effort to push Romania over the finish line.
Let me also convey my appreciation to our many Romanian friends, including INNA, Antonia, Bogdan Ivanel, and the Romanian National Rugby Team, for volunteering their voices to amplify our message about the benefits of supporting our visa waiver campaign.
I am honored to see that another key supporter of our effort – a true Ambassador of Romania and a friend of the United States going back to a special day in 1994 – Gheorghe Hagi – is here with us today to mark this special moment. Thank you for your support, and for being with us here today.
I hope the Romanian National Football Team will qualify for the World Cup 2026, also hosted on the United States’ territory. I know that Hagi and many other football-loving Romanians will want to be there to support “Tricolorii.” And I do hope many of you will be able to travel to Los Angeles to cheer on Romania at the 2028 Olympics.
Speaking of which, thank you to those who have expressed support in the wake of the tragic fires in my home state. It means a lot to hear from our friends in difficult times.
I want to also thank our friends in the Romanian press for helping publicize our campaign to bring Romania into the Visa Waiver Program.
Today’s success would not have happened without the support from all my colleagues at the U.S. Embassy. A special thanks goes to our Consular team, led by John Gimbel and Thomas Bills, for all the hard work that made this possible.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not recognize Romania’s National Coordinator for the Visa Waiver Program, Valentin Vatajelu.
Valentin – thank you for your partnership and coordination throughout this effort. You have been a wonderful partner on this project, and in all your capacities in working with the United States Government.
Congratulations Romania and Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing you in the United States very soon,” ambassador Kavalec concluded.
Klaus Iohannis: “This success will determine the even more dynamic development of our bilateral relations”