DHS RESCINDS ROMANIA’S VISA WAIVER PROGRAM DESIGNATION
June 9, 2025
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On May 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced that Romania was removed from the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”) effective immediately. As background, Romania was previously granted entry into the VWP in January 2025 yet DHS subsequently reversed course citing security concerns over Romania’s designation. The Romanian VWP rollout was originally scheduled for March 31, 2025, but DHS paused implementation on March 25, 2025, to conduct a comprehensive review. The move comes as the Trump administration implements rigorous border security measures across all U.S. ports of entry, resulting in renewed scrutiny of immigration pathways. While Romania could be reconsidered for VWP designation in the future, the decision to rescind the recent VWP designation means that visa-free travel to the United States is not currently available for Romanian citizens at this time. U.S. immigration policy can and often does shift quickly so short-term travelers from Romania should apply for visas well in advance to reduce the possibility of travel disruptions.
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