United States adds Romania to visa waiver travel program

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States announced on Friday it was admitting Romania into its visa waiver program, allowing visa-free travel by Romanian citizens for up to 90 days starting around March 31.

Romania had met the stringent security requirements to join the program, including entering into partnerships with U.S. law enforcement to share information on terrorism and serious crimes, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department said in a statement.

Romania is the 43rd country to join the program -- and the fourth added under President Joe Biden after Croatia, Israel and Qatar. The program has led to a boost in tourists from the countries that are added because it makes it easier to come to the United States.

Reuters first reported in October 2021 that Romania was among several candidates under consideration to be added.

To participate in the program, a country must meet counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management requirements.

The DHS will conduct a comprehensive assessment of Romania’s continued designation on U.S. national security and law enforcement interests at least once every two years.

The 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.

U.S. citizens can already travel to Romania and stay for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes without a visa.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Frances Kerry)