Romanian President Promises Resolution to US Visa Waiver Issue
Romanian President Vows to Resolve Delays in US Visa Waiver Program Membership
Interim President of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, has stated that the country is actively working to resolve the delays in joining the US Visa Waiver Program, a process that has faced setbacks since the Trump administration came into power. Bolojan confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are coordinating efforts to clarify the next steps, aiming to allow Romanian citizens to travel visa-free to the United States in the near future.
Visa Waiver Program Status: Romania’s Application Still Under Review
In 2024, Romania successfully fulfilled the eligibility criteria set by the US government for entry into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Key requirements included:
- Enhanced data and security cooperation with US authorities
- A visa refusal rate below 3%
Meeting the 3% visa refusal threshold proved challenging in previous years, but in 2024, Romanian visa rejections fell below the required mark, placing the country in line with program standards.
Following this milestone, Romanian officials—including the Romanian Ambassador to the United States—announced that visa-free travel to the US would begin in March. However, that implementation has not materialized.
Program Status Paused Without Explanation
Although Romania appears on the Department of Homeland Security’s Visa Waiver Program list, its status is currently marked as “paused”, down from the previous designation of “to be announced.”
This lack of progress has caused confusion among Romanian citizens and officials alike, especially after prior confirmations of an imminent rollout.
Impact of Trump-Era Migration Policies
The delay is widely believed to be linked to stricter immigration policies introduced under the Trump administration, which returned to power in January. The administration has enacted tougher rules regarding migration and border control, affecting several visa-related programs.
In fact, US embassies across 17 EU countries have recently issued warnings to travellers, stressing that non-compliance with US visa or entry conditions may lead to deportation, underscoring the administration’s hardened stance on immigration.
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