How long will Romanians still need visas to travel to the US?

Old allies and strategic partners of the United States, Romanians have been waiting for years now to travel to this country without a visa.

România Internațional, 24.10.2013, 13:08

Considering that Romania is a long-time and reliable partner of the US, it is unfair that its citizens should not be part of the Visa Waiver Program, said prime minister Victor Ponta, who recently addressed the issue during talks with members of the US Congress in Washington. He said he stressed how important it is for Romania to be included in the Visa Waiver Program and that he was happy to see that both the US Congress and the Administration view his country as a reliable and trusted partner.

Michael Turner, the co-chairman of the Friendship Group for Romania in the US Congress said prime minister Ponta put Romania’s case very well, but emphasised that legislation on emigration is at the moment blocked in Congress, being subject to a disagreement between the Democrat Administration and the Republican majority in Congress:

“Today, the premier presented excellent arguments on the topic of Romanias inclusion in Visa Waiver programme. This issue of the legislation on emigration is at the moment blocked in debates in the Congress, but the judicial commission chairman very clearly communicated him he wants Romania to benefit from the legislative modifications”.

Victor Ponta also discussed the Visa Waiver Program for Romanians with representatives of the big US companies, whose lobby is very important.

The visa refusal rate for Romania has constantly dropped in recent years to 17% in 2012, but the accepted rate under the current legislation is 3%. Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus are the only European Union member states who are not part of the Visa Waiver Program.