Romania Added to Visa Waiver Program

Starting March 31, 2025, citizens of Romania will be able to visit the United States for business or leisure for up to 90 days without a visa. They will be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”).  Romania is the 43rd country to be added to the list of countries that qualify for the VWP. 

Currently, the following countries are part of the VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.  Croatia, Israel and Qatar are the three countries most recently admitted to the VWP. 

Citizens of VWP countries do not need visas to enter the United States for business or leisure.  They are admitted for up to 90 days. But, they are required to obtain an approved travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (“ESTA”) at least 72 hours in advance of travel.  ESTAs are typically valid for two years.  Romanian citizens with valid B-1/B-2 visitor visas can continue to travel on the B-1/B-2, which grant stays of up to six months instead of the 90 days given under the VWP. 

Citizens of countries who are part of the VMP are not eligible to visit the United States without a visa if:

  • They have been to North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011;

  • They have been to Cuba on or after January 12, 2021; or

  • They hold dual citizenship with Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria.

These citizens will need to apply for a B-1/B-2 visa to visit the U.S.

Individuals in the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program generally are not eligible for extensions or a change of status.    

This alert is for informational purposes. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further. 

Nadia Yakoob