Ooni Koda
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Newsfeed
  4. /
  5. Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken Announce Designation of...

Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken Announce Designation of Romania into the Visa Waiver Program  

February 11, 2025

January 10, 2025    WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in consultation with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, designated Romania as a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The collaboration and information sharing at the core of the VWP will significantly enhance the security interests of the United States in addition to encouraging legitimate travel and commerce between the two nations.      Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken commend Romania for meeting the stringent security requirements to join the VWP. Romania is an exceptional U.S. partner, and our strategic relationship has only grown stronger over the past several years. Romania’s entry into the VWP is evidence of our strategic partnership and our shared commitment to security and economic prosperity.      The VWP is a culmination of comprehensive security partnerships between the United States and designated countries that meet strict requirements related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. Program requirements include that the country have a rate of nonimmigrant visitor visa refusals below 3 percent during the previous fiscal year; issues secure travel documents; extends reciprocal travel privileges to all U.S. citizens and nationals without regard to national origin, religion, ethnicity, or gender; and works closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities. Romania put forth a significant whole-of-government effort to meet all program requirements, including entering into partnerships with the United States to share information on terrorism and serious crimes with U.S. law enforcement and security agencies, and enhancing its vetting of individuals traveling to and through Romania. As with all VWP participating countries, DHS will continually monitor Romania’s compliance with all program requirements and, as required by statute, conduct a comprehensive assessment of Romania’s continued designation in the VWP on the national security and law enforcement interests of the United States at least once every two years.      CBP anticipates the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application and mobile application 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. These authorizations are generally valid for two years. Travelers with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use their visa for travel to the United States, and B-1/B-2 visas will remain an option for Romanian citizens. ESTA applications may be found at esta.cbp.dhs.gov or download the “ESTA Mobile” application through the iOS App Store or the Google Play store.      U.S. citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to Romania and are eligible to stay in Romania 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 Secretary Mayorkas’s tenure (Croatia (2021), Israel (2023), and Qatar (2024)). Additional information on the VWP can be found at www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-.   

Read in full - click here
From hopelessness to hope: A Romanian orphanage survivor’s path to healing in IZIDOR, a short film

Mixing animation and live action, a 30-minute short film titled IZIDOR takes audiences on a haunting yet hopeful journey of an abandoned child's path to love and healing. Based on the real-life story of Romanian Izidor Ruckel, the production portrays his early years in an orphanage of the communist regime, neglected and abused, while highlighting […]

Romania’s national bank maintains monetary policy interest rate at 6.5%

The Board of Directors of the National Bank of Romania (BNR) decided to maintain the monetary policy interest rate at 6.5% per year, as well as the lending facility rate at 7.5% per year in its meeting on Friday, February 14. Additionally, BNR kept the deposit facility rate at 5.5% per year. BNR initiated its […]

Bucharest Exchange-listed DN AGRAR plans investments in second compost factory and solar panels

DN AGRAR Group, the largest integrated livestock farm in Romania, listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB symbol: DN), announced plans for financing new investment projects set to begin in 2025, with a total value of approximately EUR 3.4 million. The planned investments include a new composting factory at the Lacto Agrar farm, the second […]

Romania faces coldest week of this winter with snow and freezing weather, meteorologists say

Romania is experiencing its coldest week of this winter, with snow and temperatures dropping as low as -20°C, according to meteorologists quoted by Digi24. In the southern and southeastern parts of the country, including Bucharest, snowfall is expected to reach up to 20 cm, and blizzards are expected to make...

Romanian foreign minister: NATO eastern flank states must participate on Ukraine peace discussions

Romania’s foreign minister, Emil Hurezeanu, argued during a meeting at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, February 16, that NATO eastern flank states must participate in discussions on all aspects that guarantee a just solution to the war in Ukraine. Hurezeanu made the statements during a meeting with counterparts present at the Munich Security Conference […]

PwC Autofacts: Romania's new car sales set to grow by 1.1% in 2025, production expected to decline

New car sales in Romania are expected to rise by 1.1% in 2025, compared to the previous year, with the country being one of only two markets in Central Europe, alongside Slovakia, to experience growth, according to the latest PwC Autofacts report. Slovakia is expected to see a 2% increase in sales, while Poland and […]