Important Updates
Important Updates
May 28, 2025 | United KingdomYorkshire Post: Yorkshire Businesses Should Prepare for Sweeping Immigration Rule Changes
May 28, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesDubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility
May 28, 2025 | MozambiqueMozambique: Pre-Travel Authorization for Visa-Exempt Travelers Temporarily Suspended
May 28, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Temporary Hold on ‘Block Work Visa Quotas’ for Certain Nationalities
May 28, 2025 | IrelandThe Irish Times: ‘Without People to Build Homes, It Won’t Happen’: Construction Workers Decry Shortage of Tradespeople
May 28, 2025 | United KingdomYorkshire Post: Yorkshire Businesses Should Prepare for Sweeping Immigration Rule Changes
May 28, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesDubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility
May 28, 2025 | MozambiqueMozambique: Pre-Travel Authorization for Visa-Exempt Travelers Temporarily Suspended
May 28, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Temporary Hold on ‘Block Work Visa Quotas’ for Certain Nationalities
May 28, 2025 | IrelandThe Irish Times: ‘Without People to Build Homes, It Won’t Happen’: Construction Workers Decry Shortage of Tradespeople
May 28, 2025 | United KingdomYorkshire Post: Yorkshire Businesses Should Prepare for Sweeping Immigration Rule Changes
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcastsVideos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapFragomen Consulting EuropeAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

United States: DHS Rescinds Visa Waiver Program Designation of Romania

May 5, 2025

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a glance

  • The U.S. government has rescinded the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), citing security and program integrity concerns.
  • Romania had been set to join the VWP on or around March 31, 2025, but the government suspended implementation close to that date in order to conduct a new review of Romania’s eligibility.
  • Romanian citizens seeking to travel to the United States for business or tourism must obtain a B-1/B-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

The issue

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has rescinded Romania’s designation for participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The designation had been slated to take effect on or around March 31, 2025, but the government paused implementation until the it completed a new review of Romania’s adherence to VWP security requirements. The government has now completed its review and rescinded the designation, citing the administration’s focus on border and immigration security and protecting the integrity of the Visa Waiver Program. DHS acknowledges, however, that Romania may be eligible for VWP designation in the future.

Romanian nationals seeking to enter the United States for business or tourism must obtain a B-1/B-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Background

On January 10, 2025, the Biden Administration announced that, starting on or around March 31, 2025, nationals of Romania would be eligible to apply for visa-free business or tourist visitor travel to the United States under the B-1/B-2 Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Romania was to be added to the list of 42 countries already in the VWP, and Romanian nationals were to be added to the list of foreign nationals able to apply for visa-free visitor travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

What the rescission of VWP designation means for Romanian nationals and their employers

Romanian nationals and their employers who were hoping to benefit from eased requirements on business visitor travel under the VWP should plan instead for these travelers to apply for a B-1/B-2 visa. Advance planning is recommended because appointment availability at U.S. consulates abroad may be limited. Romanian travelers with existing valid B-1/B-2 visas should continue to use those visas for visitor travel to the United States.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

A1 Certificate Fraud: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ECJ Decision

Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Learn more

Blog post

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: ‘Without People to Build Homes, It Won’t Happen’: Construction Workers Decry Shortage of Tradespeople

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Yorkshire Post: Yorkshire Businesses Should Prepare for Sweeping Immigration Rule Changes

Practice Leader Kathleen O’Donnell highlights how proposed UK immigration reforms could impact businesses in Yorkshire.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: The Death of the Digital Nomad

Partner Charlotte Wills notes that while full-time, long-term remote work might become less common, many professionals continue to work from abroad through more structured, short-term arrangements.

Learn more

Video

How to Stay in France After Graduation: Immigration Options for International Students

In this video, Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio walks you through everything you need to know about staying in France after graduation. Whether you’re looking to work, start a business or transition to a new immigration status, this guide covers key immigration pathways for international students.

Learn more

Media mentions

American Bar Association's How Things Work: The Legal Edition: F-1 Student Visa Revocations

Partners Michelle Jacobson and Sarah Peterson discuss recent SEVIS terminations and visa revocations and explore what these developments may mean for international students and universities.

Learn more

Media mentions

Classical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe

Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards

Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Learn more

Media mentions

Northern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England

Practice Leader Kathleen O'Donnell, Manager Kirsty Moore and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline how the latest UK immigration white paper could affect engineering recruitment for employers in the North of England.

Learn more

Video

Passports & Pitch Side: Footballers on the Move ⚽ Ep. 8 (Part 2) | #FragomenFC

#FragomenFC co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup—and an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former professional footballer.

Learn more

Blog post

A1 Certificate Fraud: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ECJ Decision

Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Learn more

Blog post

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: ‘Without People to Build Homes, It Won’t Happen’: Construction Workers Decry Shortage of Tradespeople

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Yorkshire Post: Yorkshire Businesses Should Prepare for Sweeping Immigration Rule Changes

Practice Leader Kathleen O’Donnell highlights how proposed UK immigration reforms could impact businesses in Yorkshire.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: The Death of the Digital Nomad

Partner Charlotte Wills notes that while full-time, long-term remote work might become less common, many professionals continue to work from abroad through more structured, short-term arrangements.

Learn more

Video

How to Stay in France After Graduation: Immigration Options for International Students

In this video, Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio walks you through everything you need to know about staying in France after graduation. Whether you’re looking to work, start a business or transition to a new immigration status, this guide covers key immigration pathways for international students.

Learn more

Media mentions

American Bar Association's How Things Work: The Legal Edition: F-1 Student Visa Revocations

Partners Michelle Jacobson and Sarah Peterson discuss recent SEVIS terminations and visa revocations and explore what these developments may mean for international students and universities.

Learn more

Media mentions

Classical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe

Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards

Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Learn more

Media mentions

Northern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England

Practice Leader Kathleen O'Donnell, Manager Kirsty Moore and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline how the latest UK immigration white paper could affect engineering recruitment for employers in the North of England.

Learn more

Video

Passports & Pitch Side: Footballers on the Move ⚽ Ep. 8 (Part 2) | #FragomenFC

#FragomenFC co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup—and an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former professional footballer.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.