Confirmed: Romanians to Enjoy Visa-Free Travel to the US Starting in 2025
Key Highlights
- Romanians will be eligible for visa-free travel to the United States starting in 2025.
- The US State Department confirmed Romania met the visa refusal rate requirement for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
- Romania’s Ambassador to the US emphasized the transparency and significance of the accession process.
Visa-Free Travel for Romanians in 2025
From 2025, Romanian citizens will be able to travel to the US without obtaining a visa, as officially confirmed by the Romanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The announcement follows the US State Department's recognition that Romania meets the necessary criteria for the VWP.
The visa refusal rate for Romania now stands at 2.61%, below the 3% threshold set by US law. This achievement qualifies Romania to join the program, which simplifies travel for eligible countries.
Increasing Demand for US Visas Among Romanians
According to US State Department data, Romanians submitted 80,596 B1/B2 visa applications in fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024), nearly double the previous year's figure. Of these, over 78,000 were approved, setting a record.
Strengthened US-Romania Partnership
Romanian Ambassador to the US, Andrei Muraru, highlighted that this development not only simplifies travel but also deepens ties between the two nations.
"Romania’s accession to the Visa Waiver Program has been a transparent and thorough process, strengthening our bilateral partnership," said Ambassador Muraru.
He added that visa-free travel would enhance cultural and personal connections between Romanians and Americans.
Other EU Countries Await VWP Approval
While Romania has successfully fulfilled the criteria, Cyprus and Bulgaria are still working toward VWP eligibility. Cyprus submitted a bill for participation in mid-2024, targeting accession next year. Meanwhile, Bulgaria is focused on reducing its visa rejection rates and raising public awareness about the process.