Romania Joins the US Visa Waiver Program Starting March 2025

Starting March 31, 2025, citizens of Romania will be able to travel to the United States without visas for short-term stays. The announcement was officially confirmed on January 10 by Andrei Muraru, the Ambassador of Romania to the United States.

Romania is now set to become the 43rd country to join the United States Visa Waiver Program, allowing Romanian citizens to travel to the US for tourism or business purposes without a visa for up to 90 days. The United States federal government has formally announced that Romania has joined this exclusive program, with visa-free travel for Romanians taking effect at the end of March.

Romanian Ambassador to the United States, Andrei Muraru, described the decision as a significant and joyous occasion for Romanians, reflecting the strong ties that have developed between Romania and the United States over time. He remarked, “Romania’s Euro-Atlantic path has been paved with successes when Romania and Romanians were put first. This is the meaning of today’s announcement.”

US citizens are already eligible to visit Romania without visas for up to 90 days, provided their passports are valid for at least three months beyond the date of arrival.

ESTA to Include Romania by March

The US Customs and Border Protection has announced that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be updated by the end of March to accommodate Romanian travelers. This update will apply to both the online application and the mobile application, enabling Romanians to travel to the United States without visas.

A statement from the US Embassy in Romania confirmed that ESTA authorizations are valid for two years. Travelers with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use their visas for travel to the United States, as these visas will remain an option for Romanian citizens. Romanian travelers can find ESTA applications at esta.cbp.dhs.gov or through the ‘ESTA Mobile’ app, available in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

Earlier in the week, it was revealed that Romania’s accession to the US Visa Waiver Program would be finalized through a formal announcement in Washington, led by United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Ambassador Andrei Muraru.

The Romanian Ambassador highlighted that the conclusion of this process is the result of years of dedicated efforts by Romanian and US officials. He also noted that Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program will not only enhance tourism but also foster greater investment and trade opportunities between the two nations.

By fLEXI tEAM