United States | DHS restores Hungary’s ESTA validity and Visa Waiver Program eligibility

The Department of Homeland Security published a Federal Register Notice (FRN) on “normalizing” Hungary’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) validity period and changing eligibility criteria for Hungarian nationals to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Key Points:

• In 2023, DHS imposed restrictions on Hungary’s participation in the VWP due to security concerns, reducing Hungary’s ESTA validity from two years to one year and limiting ESTA applications to single use.
• DHS reversed its 2023 decision, effective Sept. 11, 2025, “because Hungary has addressed the vulnerabilities that led to earlier ESTA restrictions,” aligning Hungary’s ESTA treatment with other VWP countries.
• Per the FRN, “DHS, therefore, is extending the ESTA validity period to two years, and allowing multiple entries for applications received beginning September 30, 2025.”

Additional Information: The FRN states, “Citizens and nationals of VWP countries may apply for admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant visitors for business or pleasure for a period of ninety days or less without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, provided they are otherwise eligible for admission under applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.” An overview of the VWP and requirements can be found here.

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

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.