Bucharest, January 10, 2025 – RBJ – Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and US Ambassador to Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec were present on Friday at the event that formalized Romania’s inclusion on the list of countries whose citizens will no longer need a visa to travel to the United States. “Romanians will travel visa-free to the United States of America starting at the end of March. This is a historic moment that we have all been waiting for for over 16 years,” said the Romanian Prime Minister at the beginning of his speech.
The United States federal government has officially announced that Romania is entering the Visa Waiver Program.
United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Romanian Ambassador to the United States Andrei Muraru met on Friday, January 10, to officially record Romania’s accession to the American visa waiver program.
“This is obviously 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 time. Romania’s Euro-Atlantic path was paved with successes when Romania and Romanians were placed first. This is the meaning of today’s announcement. Beyond the clear economic and security benefits, Romanians who want to travel to America can now do so much easier, faster and cheaper. Romanians no longer have to wait 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 road to America is shorter!”, Andrei Muraru said.
The collaboration and information exchange that underpin the VWP will significantly strengthen the security interests of the United States, in addition to encouraging legal travel and trade between the two nations, according to a statement from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“Romania is an exceptional partner of the United States, and our strategic relationship has only grown stronger in recent years. Romania’s entry into the VWP is a testament to our strategic partnership and our shared commitment to security and economic prosperity,” the statement said.
The VWP is a culmination of comprehensive security partnerships between the United States and designated countries that meet stringent requirements related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management.
Among the program’s requirements is that the country in question must have a nonimmigrant visitor visa denial rate of less than 3% during the previous fiscal year; issue secure travel documents; grant reciprocal travel privileges to all U.S. citizens and nationals, regardless of national origin, religion, ethnicity, or gender; and work closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities.
“Romania has made significant efforts across the government to meet all program requirements, including by entering into partnerships with the United States to share terrorism and serious crime information with U.S. law enforcement and security agencies and by improving the vetting of individuals traveling to and through Romania. As with all VWP participating countries, DHS will continuously monitor Romania’s compliance with all program requirements and, as required by statute, will conduct, at least every two years, a comprehensive assessment of Romania’s continued designation under the VWP in light of the national security and law enforcement interests of the United States,” the statement said.