The recent announcement that the United States has put Romania's entry into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) on hold has raised serious concerns. Although Romania had been accepted into this programme, which facilitates the temporary travel of its nationals for tourism and business, the US administration has decided to reassess this decision due to security concerns. This has significant implications for Romanian travellers, who will now have to obtain a visa to enter the US, leading to bureaucratic complications and potential economic repercussions for trade between the two nations.
The United States puts Romania's integration into the Visa Waiver Programme on hold
The US administration recently announced that it was putting Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) on hold, with significant ramifications for Romanian travellers wishing to visit the United States. This reversal, which follows a decision taken by the Biden administration, raises questions about the eligibility criteria and the political motivations behind this decision.
What is the Visa Waiver Programme?
The Visa Waiver Programme allows nationals of member countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a traditional visa. Instead, travellers must apply for ESTA, a simplified process that facilitates international trade, particularly in the tourism sector. This programme plays an essential role in encouraging cross-border relations and strengthening the American economy.
Recent developments in Romania
In January 2025, the Biden administration added the Romania on the list of countries benefiting from the VWP, marking the 43rd country to be admitted under this programme. This move was the result of the establishment of security partnerships between Romania and the United States, guaranteeing the sharing of information on critical security issues such as terrorism and serious crime. This measure was due to come into force on 31 March 2025, but a few months later some unexpected changes occurred.
The Trump administration's decision
In March 2025, as the date of entry into force approached, the US administration under President Donald Trump decided to reassess Romania's inclusion in the programme. This announcement was justified by the administration's desire to strengthen the national security as it focused on unspecified security concerns that had arisen within the Trump administration.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) then announced a pause to conduct a thorough reassessment of the security issues related to Romania's admission to the VWP. This assessment ultimately led to the decision to revoke Romania's admission, described as necessary to maintain the integrity of the programme and border security.
The consequences for Romanian citizens
For Romanian travellers, this decision has immediate consequences. Romanian citizens must now obtain a visa to travel to the United States. This process can often be lengthy and costly, with fees reaching around 185 $. As a result, this situation could deter many travellers from visiting the United States, affecting tourism between the two countries. Meanwhile, it is pertinent to note that US citizens continue to be exempt from visa requirements for similar stays in Romania, creating an imbalance in travel arrangements.
A political coincidence?
The revocation of Romania's membership of the VWP coincides with a period of political instability in Romania, marked by tumultuous presidential elections. The decision was announced just before the first round of a presidential election, which follows the cancellation of the previous ballot on charges of corruption and foreign interference. Although the DHS did not explicitly link the two events, many observers have linked the pause in the programme to the unstable political climate in Romania.
Romanian politicians, including presidential candidates, have also commented on the situation, saying that the possibility of a return to visa-free travel would be on the agenda once democracy is restored in their country. This highlights the potential impact of political decisions on the status of visa waiver programmes.
The Romanian government's message
In response to this decision, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its regret, stating that Romania fulfilled all the necessary conditions to be part of the VWP. However, it also acknowledged that the decision was political and depended on the priorities of the US administration. The Romanian government underlined its willingness to continue to work with the United States to restore Romania's admission to the Visa Waiver Program as soon as possible.
With Romanian nationals currently unable to travel without a visa, the Romanian authorities hope that a different political future could facilitate their country's reintegration into the VWP and, in turn, improve bilateral relations with the United States.
Comparison of the migration situation between the United States and Romania
| Criteria | Current situation |
|---|---|
| Inclusion in the VWP | Romania was admitted to the programme in January 2025 |
| Reassessment by the Trump administration | Postponed to March 2025 due to safety concerns |
| Cost of a US visa | 185$ and several months of waiting for the Romanians |
| Eligibility of US citizens | Visiting Romania without a visa |
| Impact on travel | Expected fall in Romanian travel to the United States |
| Political context | A reminder of the long and turbulent elections in Romania |
| Romanian authorities | Express regret, but emphasise US political decision |
| Future consideration VWP | Possibility of re-examination if safety criteria are met |
An agency service 