The Department of Homeland Security provided notice that the recent designation of Romania into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is under review and that implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Romanian citizens will remain paused until the review is completed.

Key Points:

  • The ESTA pause for Romanian citizens will remain in effect until the VWP review is completed.
  • Romanians traveling for short-term business or tourism should apply for the appropriate nonimmigrant “B” visas at U.S. embassies or consulates.

Additional Information: The VWP, managed by DHS and the State Department, allows citizens of designated countries to visit the U.S. for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. In exchange, these countries must permit U.S. citizens to travel to their countries under similar conditions. The program enhances security through rigorous vetting and cooperation in counterterrorism, law enforcement and immigration enforcement. The current review of Romania’s VWP designation aims to ensure compliance with these security requirements, temporarily halting ESTA for Romanian citizens until the review is complete.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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