United States firm, rumored to have assisted Qatar in obtaining the Visa Waiver program, purportedly finalizes lobbying contract with Romania.
Romania's bid to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) faced a setback in mid-2025, as the Biden administration suspended its membership due to security concerns.
Initially, Romania was deemed to meet the technical requirements, and U.S. officials had projected Romanian participation in the VWP "sometime in 2025." However, on March 25, 2025, the U.S. announced a suspension to ensure "compliance with the program's strict security requirements."
Subsequently, on May 2, 2025, Romania's designation to join the VWP was rescinded after a comprehensive security review. As a result, Romania is not currently a VWP member.
In the lead-up to the application, it is reported that Romania hired Global Security and Innovative Strategies LLC (GSIS) for assistance related to the VWP. The agreement, bearing the signatures of Romania's ambassador to Washington, Andrei Muraru, and GSIS's principal partner and co-founder, Noah Kroloff, focuses on consultancy services related to international cooperation, mutual public safety, security requirements, and matters related to trade and travel.
Notably, the wording of the agreement between Romania and GSIS is identical to that of a similar contract signed with Qatar before it joined the VWP in September 2024. The agreement is valid until October 31, 2025.
It's worth mentioning that Kroloff, a former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is not known to hold any current position within the department.
The Romanian state has entered into this lobbying agreement with GSIS, with the goal of readying Romania's case for joining the VWP. However, publicly available information from the U.S. Embassy and news sources does not explicitly mention GSIS in connection with this process. It is common for government entities to hire external consultants or firms like GSIS for advisory roles on security and visa matters.
In conclusion, Romania was expected to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in early 2025, but as of mid-2025, Romania is not currently a VWP member due to security concerns that led to rescinding its designation. The Romanian state hired Global Security and Innovative Strategies LLC for assistance, and the agreement's focus is on consultancy services related to international cooperation and collaboration between Romania and the United States.
- The suspension of Romania's membership to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) stepped into the realm of policy-and-legislation, due to the security concerns raised, which eventually led to the rescission of Romania's designation in May 2025.
- Amid the politics surrounding Romania's bid to join the VWP, it's notable that the Romanian state sought external assistance from Global Security and Innovative Strategies LLC (GSIS), focusing on advising Romania on international cooperation and collaboration with the United States, particularly in matters related to security requirements, trade, and travel.
