US authorities have announced that Romania will no longer be part of the visa-free travel list. The European country had only been added to the list a few months earlier by the Biden administration
When Romania was added to the visa-free travel list in January 2025, it was the 43rd country to be admitted to the program and the 4th country to be added by the Biden administration (after Croatia, Israel, and Qatar). At that time, a statement was issued saying that Romania had met stringent security requirements, such as entering into partnerships with US law enforcement to combat terrorism and other crimes. Romanians were set to be able to make use of the new program around 31 March 2025. US citizens were already able to visit Romania for a maximum duration of 90 days for tourism or business purposes without a visa.
👏Felicitări 🇷🇴 pentru binemeritata accedere în #VisaWaiver! 🙏🏻 @GuvernulRo, Gheorghe Hagi și tuturor românilor care ne-au fost alături, făcând posibil acest succes comun și consolidând parteneriatul nostru strategic🇺🇸🇷🇴. pic.twitter.com/Vts46Crysh
— Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec (@USAmbRO) January 10, 2025
However, that measure was paused by the Department of Homeland Security in late March. After a review of the decision, the visa waiver has now been revoked in order to protect the integrity of the program and to ensure border and immigration security.
“Maintaining the Visa Waiver Program’s high standards is essential to our national security. In light of this Administration’s focus on border and immigration security, the Secretary of Homeland Security has decided, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to rescind Romania’s VWP designation effective immediately. We are grateful for Romania’s close partnership over the years to enhance security cooperation. Romania may be reconsidered for VWP admission in the future,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement.
„În calitate de secretar de stat, voi continua să folosesc toată puterea de care dispun pentru a proteja poporul american și a apăra națiunea noastră de invazia străină.” – @SecRubio#SecuringUSBorders pic.twitter.com/dUa9OjzeMP
— U.S. Embassy Bucharest (@AmbasadaSUA) May 6, 2025
Romania’s shaken political landscape
As to why exactly the visa waiver has been revoked, some think it might have something to do with Romania’s political landscape. Vice President of the US JD Vance criticised Romania in February 2025 as the country cancelled last year’s presidential round due to allegations of illegal campaigning and Russian interference when ultranationalist Călin Georgescu won the first round of the elections.
Hard-right presidential candidate George Simion, who won the first round of the do-over elections on Sunday 4 May and is the favourite for the runoff on 18 May, has already predicted that the visa waiver for Romania will be reinstated soon. The 38-year-old is an admirer of Trump and a believer in a “strong NATO” although he questions its support of Ukraine. He has proved especially popular amongst the Romanian diaspora, with 70% of votes in Italy, Spain, and Germany.
Romania meets all democratic standards for organising the presidential election.
— Marcel Ciolacu (@CiolacuMarcel) May 3, 2025
Together with 🇺🇸, our trusted friend and ally, and Vice Chair James E “Trey” Trainor, III @FEC, we’ll work to ensure Romanians trust that our democracy is strong. pic.twitter.com/RAuZbl4jjy
“The Romanian Government is ready to work with its American partners to strengthen security at the US borders. At the same time, the Government believes that the election of a new President of Romania, following the elections of 4 and 18 May, may represent the most important moment for our country to ask our American partners to resume the process of acceptance into the Visa Waiver Programme,” Romanian reacted in a statement.
The removal of Romania from the Visa Waiver Programme marks a significant shift in US-Romanian relations. As the country navigates a turbulent political transition, the decision underscores the challenges of maintaining international cooperation amid concerns over governance, electoral integrity, and regional security.
