According to Reuters, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Tuesday the United States is considering adding four countries to its visa waiver program that allows citizens to come to America without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. "We have four candidates in the pipeline: Israel, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania," Mayorkas said on Tuesday at a travel industry event. "We're very, very focused on the program," he added, saying it provides significant economic and security benefits. In September, the United States added Croatia to the visa waiver program. U.S. Travel Association Chief Executive Roger Dow said on Tuesday adding Croatia is a $100 million boost to the U.S. economy. "Each time you add one of these countries, the travel just booms," Dow said. The White House said in August after a meeting between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett that Biden emphasized "his administration would strengthen bilateral cooperation with Israel in ways that would benefit both U.S. citizens and Israeli citizens, including by working together towards Israel’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program." Mayorkas also met with Israel's U.S. ambassador in August and discussed the waiver issue. In February, Mayorkas spoke with the European Commission’s Commissioner for Home Affairs and both "expressed their continued interest in maintaining the U.S.-EU Passenger Name Record Agreement and working with Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania to meet the qualifications for the Visa Waiver Program." To participate in the program, a country must meet requirements related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. There are currently 40 countries in the program. "These requirements include having a rate of nonimmigrant visa refusals below 3%, issuing secure travel documents, and working closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities," DHS said last month.
The countdown is on until the start of the largest local fest, Transilvania International Film Festival on 13 June. Or, as everyone calls it: TIFF. To pass the time and (or) have an alternative, do not miss some of the most entertaining stories of all time courtesy of suspense master Alfred Hitchcock. And check out […]
Roughly 45.7% of Romanians believe the country’s May presidential elections were rather unfairly organized, while 50.4% believe they were fair, according to a survey by INSCOP Research. Romania's previous presidential elections, which saw centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan emerge victorious, saw extreme polarization. Immediately after...
CARFIL Brasov, central Romania, is set to begin production of three types of Romanian military UAVs this year, news agency Agerpres reported. The drones, named Cuda, Sirin, and a marine drone, were unveiled at the Southeast Europe Special Operations Forces Forum 2025 (SEESOF) in Targu Mures, the first international expo-forum dedicated to the special operations forces. ...
The National Meteorological Administration of Romania, or ANM, aims to become a European regional hub for professional training in the field of climate change, according to director general Elena Mateescu. The official noted during “The Future of Agriculture” forum held on Thursday, June 5, that the ANM has already completed the European Agrometeorology Center, which […]
Romania’s Interior Ministry (MAI) and Defense Ministry (MApN) have warned of ongoing disinformation campaigns on social media aimed at manipulating public opinion. The latest wave of false claims includes reports about the imposition of martial law and border closures, seeking to heighten public anxiety over the risk of war. Romanians, whether abroad or within the […]
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued new recommendations to Romania, among which is an increase in VAT, but also excise duties, dividend taxes, and the introduction of two income tax rates of 15% and 25%. At the same time, it recommends the reduction or elimination of the health insurance contribution, as well as a change in […]
