The USA seems to be about to expand the number of participants in its Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Travellers from Romania and Cyprus currently need a visa for the USA, but may become eligible for the ESTA in the future.
The US Visa Waiver Program
The American Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries to travel visa-free to the USA for a holiday or business trip of up to 90 days. Instead of a visa, travellers from those countries need to apply for a digital travel authorisation, called ESTA. Applying for an ESTA is much easier and faster than applying for a US visa. You can apply for the ESTA within a few minutes online, while a visa application requires you to visit a US embassy or consulate.
Visa Waiver Countries are eligible for the ESTA
Travellers who are eligible for a visa waiver for the United States do not need to do an interview at the embassy or consulate. Nevertheless, travellers can be screened within the Visa Waiver Program, as they have to apply for an ESTA. The screening is far less in-depth than for visa applications, as the ESTA application form only contains a few security questions regarding the traveller’s background. Therefore, the ESTA is only available for travellers from so-called Visa Waiver Countries.
These are countries whose inhabitants the US authorities consider to be of a low risk for national security. Currently, the United Kingdom participates in the US Visa Waiver Program, as do all EU-countries, except of Romania, Cyprus and Bulgaria. British and Irish citizens may already apply for an ESTA. Travellers from Romania and Cyprus will most likely become eligible for the ESTA in the near future.
Romania to be admitted in autumn
Romania has been working hard for many years to be allowed to participate in the US Visa Waiver Program. According to the Romanian ambassador to the United States, Dan-Andrei Muraru, the country is now in the last stages of its admission process. One of the requirements to become admitted to the ESTA program is that the rejection rate for visa applications for the USA may not be lower than 3 percent. Although 9 percent of all visa applications were rejected in 2023, the ambassador is convinced that this percentage can be lowered to less than 3 percent. Muraru expects the country to meet the conditions of the US government by 1 October 2024.
Besides the requirement regarding the rejection rate of visa applications, countries also have to take a number of security measures to be admitted to the US Visa Waiver Program. Among other things, the Romanian government will have to share information with the US authorities regarding crime and terrorism. Once Romania believes to meet all the requirements, they will invite a US delegation to their country, who will decide whether Romania will be admitted.
Cyprus is another candidate for the ESTA programme
Cyprus has also been working towards an admission to the US Visa Waiver Program. The countries have not only been discussing the participation of Cyprus in the ESTA programme, but are also strengthening their bilateral cooperation in other areas, such as defence, security and energy. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, stressed the importance of strong diplomatic relations when his Cypriot counterpart visited the White House. Cyprus recently proved its importance to the USA by establishing a maritime route to Gaza, allowing the USA to ship humanitarian goods to the area.
According to president Nikos Christodoulides, Cyprus is also very close to being admitted. A representative of the Cypriot government confirmed that the country is close to the requirement of having a rejection rate of no more than 3 percent for US visa applications. The first negotiations about the country’s admission will take place in September in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus.