Trump Pauses Visa-Free Travel From Romania
DHS reassesses long-awaited Visa Waiver Program, leaving travelers in limbo.
WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, the Trump administration Romania’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) delaying a long-anticipated change that would have allowed Romanian citizens to travel to the United States without a visa for business or tourism beginning March 31, 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited Romania’s non-compliance with the program’s security requirements as the rationale for the administrative delay and review, which is ongoing with no estimated timeframe for completion. While the review is ongoing, which could in theory be indefinitely, Romanian citizens must continue applying for B-1/B-2 visas through U.S. embassies and consulates before they can legally enter the U.S.
Migrant Insider is sponsored by
“This pause will remain in place while the U.S. government ensures these standards are upheld,” said a notice on the agency’s website. “Designations under the Visa Waiver Program must meet stringent security and information-sharing criteria.”
In January, the Departments of State and Homeland Security issued a joint statement that Romania had been added as the 43rd nation in the preferred visa program, which requires participating countries to meet strict standards for counterterrorism, law enforcement cooperation, border control, and document security.
Had the program taken hold this month, the new designation would have allowed Romanian nationals to apply for visa-free entry to the U.S. using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), for stays of up to 90 days for business or tourism. ESTA approvals are generally valid for two years but do not guarantee entry; final determinations are made at the port of entry.
The program pause means travelers from Romania planning on visa-free access to the U.S. must instead pursue traditional B-1/B-2 visitor visas before they travel stateside. Officials recommend early visa applications due to limited appointment availability at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Romanian travelers who already hold valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use them.
Thanks for reading Migrant Insider. Follow our work on X, Bsky, Threads, and Reddit. To inquire about sponsorships, email sponsor@migrantinsider.com. Subscribe below for $5/month or $49/year,, if you haven’t already. Our work is made possible by the generous support of readers like you.