The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. State Department announced that Romania has been removed from the visa waiver program. The decision directly impacts Romania’s visa-free travel to the U.S. and has prompted responses from officials in both countries.
Why was Romania Removed from the Visa Waiver?
The DHS emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and maintaining border and immigration security. This announcement came right before Romania’s rescheduled presidential election, which raised questions about timing.
Although the DHS hasn’t explicitly connected the decision to the election, several Romanian political figures have expressed concerns, including:
- Hard-right presidential candidate George Simion
- Current government officials
- Opposition leaders
Simion, who aligns with Trumpist policies, remains optimistic. During his Washington visit, he discussed the issue with DHS officials. He believes the visa requirement will be lifted after Romania strengthens its democratic processes.
Photo by AndreyPopov from Getty Images
Romania's Position on Restoring Visa-Free Travel to the U.S.
Romania has expressed disappointment but maintains it meets all requirements for visa-free travel to the U.S., including:
- Low visa refusal rates
- Strong cooperation with U.S. counterterrorism efforts
- Enhanced law enforcement collaboration
The Romanian government sees the upcoming presidential election as an opportunity. It hopes to open a new dialogue with the U.S. about reconsidering its status.
Under the Biden administration, Romania was added to the list of countries whose citizens can travel to the USA without a visa. Romanians were expected to travel freely to the U.S. in late March. However, the Trump administration reviewed this decision as part of its homeland security priorities, which has led to the current situation.
Photo by Winston Tjia on Unsplash
How This U.S. Visa Waiver Program Update Affects Romanian Citizens
The Romania-U.S. travel changes create practical challenges for Romanian citizens. They must now:
- Continue using the standard visa application process
- Pay approximately $185 in application fees
- Navigate a time-consuming approval system
Despite these obstacles, the Romanian government remains committed. They will pursue diplomatic efforts to restore their Visa Waiver Program status. This issue remains critically important amid the broader U.S. travel policy updates.
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*Banner photo by mehdi33300 from Getty Images
