On January 10, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State, announced the designation of Romania as a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
The U.S. Embassy in Romania said that U.S. Customs and Border Protection anticipates that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online and mobile applications will be updated on or around March 31, 2025, to allow most citizens and nationals of Romania to apply to travel to the United States under the VWP for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa. The embassy noted that these authorizations are generally valid for two years. Travelers with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use their visas for travel to the United States, and B-1/B-2 visas will remain an option for Romanian citizens. The embassy said that U.S. citizens already can travel visa-free to Romania and stay there for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes if they have a passport that is valid for at least three months from the date of arrival.
Romania is the 43rd member of the VWP and the fourth country added under DHS Secretary Mayorkas, after Croatia (2021), Israel (2023), and Qatar (2024).
The U.S. Embassy in Romania noted that ESTA applications may be accessed online or by downloading the “ESTA Mobile” application through the iOS App Store or the Google Play store.