Romania’s ambassador to the United States, Andrei Muraru, has announced that Romania is expected to join the US Visa Waiver Program in March or April 2025. This development would mark a significant milestone, allowing Romanian citizens to travel to the United States without a visa for short stays.
Official Announcement Anticipated Early Next Year
During a live interview, Ambassador Muraru shared that the Romanian government is likely to make an official announcement regarding the country’s entry into the program in January 2025. He noted that the timeline aligns with the upcoming US presidential elections, scheduled for November 5, 2024, and suggested that the handover process could be completed by next year.
Once the accession process is set in motion, a report will be drafted in Washington over an eight-week period. This report will then be forwarded to the Department of State for review. Ultimately, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State will jointly send a notification to Congress, confirming Romania’s participation. Importantly, the process does not require a congressional vote, and details remain largely confidential.
What Joining the Visa Waiver Program Means for Romanians
By becoming part of the US Visa Waiver Program, Romanian citizens will be allowed to travel to the United States without a visa for up to 90 days. This opportunity could significantly boost travel and business prospects, providing greater freedom to explore the entire country and fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations.
Years of Progress to Meet Visa Waiver Requirements
Romania’s journey towards joining the Visa Waiver Program has been ongoing for years. The country has had to meet stringent US requirements, including improving data-sharing protocols and enhancing efforts to combat crime. However, one of the most challenging criteria has been lowering the visa rejection rate.
The program mandates that a country must maintain a visa rejection rate of below three percent to qualify, which serves as a measure to minimize the risk of irregular migration. In October, Ambassador Muraru confirmed that Romania had successfully reduced its rejection rate to meet this threshold.
“Our assessment, based on current visa application trends, suggests that Romania is now below the three percent rejection rate,” Ambassador Muraru stated. “We are awaiting formal confirmation from our American counterparts, but we remain optimistic given the consistent decrease in recent years.”
In 2023, approximately 60,000 visas were issued to Romanian applicants, with a rejection rate of eight percent. This marked a substantial improvement compared to previous years.
Cyprus and Bulgaria Also on Track to Join Visa Waiver Program
Romania is not the only country in the region seeking to join the US Visa Waiver Program. Cyprus and Bulgaria are also working towards this goal, while simultaneously moving closer to full integration into the Schengen Area.
Cyprus has already taken significant steps, officially submitting its bid to join the US Visa Waiver Program in July 2024, with hopes of being accepted by 2025. Key areas of improvement include enhancing travel information and security measures to meet US standards.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria is actively addressing its visa rejection rate. Ivan Kondov, a representative from the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently met with US Ambassador Kenneth Merten to discuss plans for raising public awareness about the benefits of the Visa Waiver Program. Bulgaria aims to lower its rejection rate, a critical step for admission to the program.
A Step Towards Greater Connectivity and Opportunity
For Romania, joining the US Visa Waiver Program will represent a breakthrough in its diplomatic and economic relations with the United States. It will not only facilitate smoother travel for Romanian citizens but also open new avenues for business, tourism, and cultural exchange. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on ensuring compliance with all requirements, signaling a new era of enhanced connectivity between Romania and the United States.