There is growing suspense regarding the removal of U.S. visa requirements for Romanian citizens. With just ten days left before the program's implementation, media across the Prut River have reported, citing diplomatic sources, that the U.S. administration is considering delaying the Visa Waiver Program by two months. However, Romanian authorities state that they have not yet received any official notifications and assure that Romania has met all the necessary conditions.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Romanian media on Thursday that it is reviewing Romania’s recent designation in the Visa Waiver Program, in line with the White House administration's security concerns, IPN reports, citing HotNews-Romania.
“We can confirm that, in alignment with the Trump administration’s focus on national security, the Department of Homeland Security is reviewing Romania’s recent designation in the Visa Waiver Program. At this time, there are no updates regarding the implementation of ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization),” DHS stated to HotNews.
Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) from Bucharest responded that, at this stage, no official notifications have been received regarding any changes to the date.
“The Romanian Embassy in Washington is in active dialogue with U.S. authorities, maintaining direct contact with the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for implementing Romania’s accession to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. At this moment, there is no official communication regarding any changes to the initial date of entry into the program. Romania has met all the strict security requirements necessary for inclusion in the U.S. visa exemption program,” said Romania’s Ambassador to the U.S., Andrei Muraru.
Romanians were expected to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without requiring a visa, starting March 31, as announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security earlier this year.
The official Visa Waiver Program website does not specify when Romania will begin benefiting from the program.
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