Romanian citizens are now permitted to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes without a visa for periods of up to 90 days, as the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has been expanded by the United States as of April 2025. This addition brings the total number of participating countries to 43.
What is the US Visa Waiver Program VWP?
The United States Visa Waiver Program permits citizens of a limited number of states to enter the United States without a visa for a period of up to three months. It was specifically designed to be a rapid and efficient method of travel, allowing individuals to wander to the United States for a brief business journey or tourist excursion.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also announced that, effective January 12, 2009, qualified citizens or nationals of all past VWP nations must obtain prior endorsement through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States without a visa under the VWP.
Requirements:
Initially, the meet waiver expansion is available to two broad categories of nonimmigrants who are applying for H-1 (people in strength occupations), H-3 (learners or uncommon instruction guests), H-4 (dependents of the earlier categories), L (intracompany transferees), O (people with uncommon capacity or accomplishment), P (competitors, specialists, and performers), and Q (members in universal social trade programs) visas and meet specific criteria: 3
Candidates Already Issued Any Visa. These nonimmigrant candidates may have their visa deferred on the off chance that they:
- submit their application in the country of their nationality or domicile;
- have never been denied a visa, unless the refusal was overturned or postponed, and
- To obtain a visa, one must demonstrate both apparent and prospective ineligibility.
First-Time Candidates. These nonimmigrant candidates may have their visa deferred in case they:
- submit their application in the country of their nationality or domicile;
- are citizens or nationals of a country that is interested in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP);
- have already traveled to the United States under the VWP, utilizing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and
- It is imperative to be explicit regarding the prospective ineligibility for a visa.
- Secondly, the ability of consular officers to postpone interviews for brief rural and non-agricultural laborers (H-2 visas), students (F and M visas), and trade students (scholarly J visas) will also be maintained until December 31, . To qualify for the meet waiver, candidates for place-specific visas must have already traveled together and utilized ESTA. The current approach has been modified accordingly. Additionally, these individuals are required to submit an application for a visa in their hometown or country of nationality. Therefore, individuals who are subject to a government that does not maintain their nationality or residence and file for a US visa in that country will not be eligible for a visa meet waiver.
Thirdly, candidates recharging any visa sort that has lapsed in the earlier 48 months will proceed to qualify for a meet waiver. Consular specialists to carry out this approach have been expanded indefinitely.
Check Also: How Many Years Is H-1B Visa Valid in USA
Nations are Allowed to Visit the VWP:
Qatar has been the foremost later expansion to this list, and in this way, presently, the VWP comprises 42 parts of the nation. Here’s the complete upgraded list:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea, Republic of
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar (New addition)
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
How Does the VWP Work?
An e-passport that includes a microprocessor is required for foreign travelers who wish to enter the United States under the VWP. They accumulate an ESTA (Electronic Framework for Travel Authorization).
The general handle typically takes three days, including the working ends of the week, and a token charge is paid. A visa is not required for travelers to enter the United States once they have been approved under the VWP.
Important Notes:
- The maximum duration of stay in the United States is 90 days.
- Tourism, or trade, as it were: The VWP is intended for temporary visits; individuals are permitted to solicit employment solely during their stay in the country.
- Return Ticket: A forward travel record or a return ticket is necessary.
Why Qatar’s Consideration Matters:
This upgrade also jams the connection between the United States and Qatar and encourages travel between the two locales. It moreover opens up possibilities for compelling commerce exercises and tourism for Qatari citizens. Well, readers from the 42 VWP nations, now is the time to begin arranging your trip to the United States!
It isn’t conceivable to stay in the US and get a modern US visa. The method to ask for a meet waiver shifts from post to post; however, it is by and large as follows:
- Please submit the DS-160 form.
- Visa expense that is discernible at the pay machine; and
- To request an interview waiver, visit the website for visa arrangement planning:
- The post will issue a take note confirming the waiver if the meet waiver is permitted. This notice must be printed and incorporated into the visa application packet that is submitted to the department.
- If the meet waiver is denied, the candidate is required to arrange a visa interview.
Conclusion:
In a long-awaited effort to address the delays and accumulations that have emerged due to consular closures and constrained staffing over the last year-and-a-half, the US Office of State announced on December 23 that it is authorizing consular officers to waive the in-person interview/appointment requirement for specific temporary/nonimmigrant visa candidates. The current approach is applicable to individuals who are applying for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visas in their country of nationality or residence. Under this new guidance, consular officers are permitted to waive the requirement for individuals who have already been granted US visas to file for these visa types.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the new US visa waiver?
Overview. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
Which countries can travel to the USA without a visa in 2025?
Prominent member states include the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Romania has become the most recent country to join the initiative, which was official in March 2025.
What countries participate in the US Visa Waiver Program?
Citizens of countries such as United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand
