Romania to address delays in Visa Waiver program with U.S. Homeland Security, as stated by the acting president.
Rewritten Article:
Romania's interim president, Ilie Bolojan, spoke confidently on April 8, predicting that Romanian institutions will soon resolve issues related to the suspension of visa-free travel for Romanian citizens with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
During a press conference at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, Bolojan underscored the significance of the visa-waiver program, not just for travelers going to the United States, but also for the overall global view of Romanians.
"I'm optimistic that, in the coming days, the institutions responsible for this undertaking – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs – will iron out all the kinks with the DHS. I'm hopeful that these talks will also be made public, so that the resumption of this pivotal program – not solely for US-bound travelers, but for those wanting to represent Romania as a top-tier country rather than second-class citizens – can be reinstated," Bolojan said to the press.
These comments follow a March announcement from the DHS, stating that they are reviewing Romania's recent designation into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to ensure compliance with stringent security requirements. Consequently, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Romanian citizens was suspended throughout the review period.
The suspension remains in effect, and for the time being, Romanian tourists or business travelers bound for the United States must continue to apply for a B-type nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate. Furthermore, all temporary visa applicants are now required to submit a printed copy of the confirmation page with the barcode, demonstrating that they have used the same DS-160 application form to schedule their interviews.
Romania officially joined the 43rd member of the VWP on January 10. At the time, Romanian ambassador to Washington, Andrei Muraru, stated that Romanian citizens would be able to travel to the US without a visa beginning March 31, 2025.
The U.S. State Department confirmed on November 27, 2024, that Romania had achieved a visa refusal rate of 2.61% for the fiscal year 2024, thus meeting one of the key criteria for entry into the Visa Waiver Program.
In addition to the visa refusal rate criterion, Romania's admission to the program required adherence to essential conditions concerning the security of travel documents, information sharing, and the implementation of specific measures to combat terrorism and illegal migration.
(Photo source: K*uprevich/Dreamstime.com)*
Revocation of Romania's participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by the United States initially took place under the new administration, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department collaborating to protect the program's integrity and secure the country's borders [1][2][5]. Romania's designation to the VWP occurred in January 2025, with scheduled implementation around March 31, 2025. However, DHS imposed a hold on implementation in March to reassess Romania's eligibility, which eventually led to its revocation [2][5].
Reports indicate that the Romanian government has requested clarification from the U.S. about the reasons behind the revocation, asserting that Romanian citizens should receive equal treatment as citizens of other allied countries with visa-free access [5]. Aspiring to re-establish visa-free travel between the U.S. and Romania, the government plans to reapply for the VWP following upcoming elections [4]. Maintaining diplomatic dialogues at the highest level, the Romanian government is keen on safeguarding Romanians' rights and potentially reacquiring visa-free access at a future date [5]. The U.S. has suggested that Romania may be reconsidered for the VWP if it meets the statutory eligibility criteria [2].
- In light of the ongoing review by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Romania's interim president, Ilie Bolojan, expressed optimism about resolving issues related to the suspension of visa-free travel for Romanians, hoping for a swift resolution and public disclosure.
- The suspension of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Romanian citizens, imposed due to concerns about compliance with security requirements, has necessitated Romanian tourists and business travelers to apply for a B-type nonimmigrant visa instead.
- Reports suggest that the Romanian government is actively seeking clarification from the US regarding the reasons behind the revocation of Romania's participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), advocating for equality with allied countries enjoying visa-free access.
- As part of the Visa Waiver Program's requirements, Romania is required to maintain stringent conditions concerning the security of travel documents, information sharing, and measures to combat terrorism and illegal migration.
- In the political landscape of 2025, Romania's future inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program could potentially hinge on the ability of the government to address ongoing issues and meet required criteria, considering the importance of the program as a reflection of Romania's global standing and the rights of its citizens.
