by ✅ Romania: A short-lived VWP success
- January 10, 2025 – The U.S. officially added Romania as the 43rd VWP member, enabling Romanians to travel visa‑free for up to 90 days, pending final implementation around March 31, 2025.
- March–May 2025 – DHS launched an additional security review. On May 2, they made a surprising move: to rescind Romania’s VWP designation, citing concerns over program integrity .
Bottom line: Romania was briefly part of the VWP in early 2025—but never actually granted visa-free travel due to its eventual reversal.
✅ Qatar: Flourished in late 2024
- Qatar became the 42nd VWP country, with visa-free access starting November 21, 2024. Its citizens can stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days under ESTA—marking it as the second Muslim-majority country in the VWP, following Brunei.
🧩 What’s the VWP lineup now?
Despite the shifts, here’s the current lineup of 42 VWP countries as of mid‑2025:
- Most of Europe (27 EU members, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, UK, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican/Taiwan)
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Brunei
- Latin America: Chile
- Middle East: Qatar
- North America: UK, plus territories
Key exclusions & former members: Romania (revoked), Bulgaria, Cyprus still not included, and Argentina/Uruguay previously removed (2002–2003).New Countries Added to US Visa.the latest 2025 updates to the US Visa Waiver Program.
📊 Timeline of Recent VWP Expansions
| Country | Designation Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Croatia | October 2021 | Joined under Biden |
| Israel | October 19, 2023 | Latest before Qatar |
| Qatar | November 21, 2024 | First Muslim-majority since Brunei |
| Romania | Jan 10 – May 2, 2025 | Designation reversed after review |
🛂 What This Means for Travelers
- Qatar: Citizens can travel visa-free now—just apply for ESTA, use a biometric e‑passport, and stay up to 90 days.
- Romania: Travelers must obtain a visa—ESTA is not an option following the May 2025 reversal.
- Other 41 VWP nations: Procedures remain the same—e‑passport + ESTA + 90‑day visit limit.
🌐 Context Behind the Changes
- VWP expansions are tied to national security, visa refusal rates (must stay under 3%), e‑passport mandates, law enforcement cooperation, and border control standards.
- Romania initially met criteria—but new security concerns prompted a reevaluation and eventual withdrawal.
🧭 Planning Tip for Travelers
- Check your country’s VWP status on the U.S. State or DHS site before travel.
- Apply for ESTA well in advance—approval often comes within minutes, but delays up to 72 hours can occur.
- Stick to the rules: ESTA is only valid for tourism/business (not work or study), with a 90‑day max stay and e‑passport requirement. Overstays or rule violations can result in future bans.
✍️ Final Thoughts
2025 has been a rollercoaster for VWP updates: Qatar continued its momentum from 2024, while Romania’s abrupt inclusion and reversal underscore the ongoing importance of vetting and security in visa policy. Travelers should stay informed and verify their eligibility since these designations can change—even mid‑year.
Nice