Visa-free travel to the USA for Romanian citizens

Romania is the 43rd country admitted to the US Visa Waiver program and the fourth added under the presidency of Joe Biden, after Croatia, Israel and Qatar

Corina Cristea, 13.01.2025, 13:50

After March 31, Romanian citizens will be able to travel to the United States under a liberalized regime, after US authorities granted Romania the status of a participating country in the Visa Waiver program. The lifting of visas for Romanians was officially announced on Friday at the headquarters of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. “It is an important and happy moment for all Romanians, and the decision of the United States shows how strong the bond between Romania and the US has become over the years” Romania’s ambassador to Washington said on this occasion. Andrei Muraru also explained what this approach brings: “Beyond clear economic and security benefits, Romanians who want to travel to America can now do that much easier, faster and cheaper. Romanians no longer have to wait for months for an appointment, no longer have to pass an interview test, and no longer have to pay a considerable fee. As of today, the journey to America is shorter. Romania becomes the first country in the Black Sea region to enter this elite program, and this is in the interest of promoting bilateral and regional security cooperation”.

Before traveling to the US, Romanian citizens will have to register in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization – ESTA, and people who do not obtain approval will not be able to board any airline to the US. The travel authorization that replaces visas will be valid for two years, with an unlimited number of entries or exits from the United States. According to the US Embassy in Bucharest, the authorization can be used for visits of up to 90 days and will cost 21 USD. In an interview to Radio Romania, Ambassador Andrei Muraru said that only type B visas are being replaced, namely visas for tourism and business, while visas for any other type of travel, whether work, studies or medical procedures, will remain in place, in addition to application procedures. At the same time, Romanians will still be able to apply for American visas, with the advantage they are valid for 10 years, with the maximum duration of six months for each trip . “It is an achievement that will determine the even more dynamic development of our bilateral relations, at all levels”, president Klaus Iohannis said, congratulating all those who contributed to Romania’s inclusion to the Visa Waiver program. (VP)