On Monday, the United States unveiled the list of eligible countries for its 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), marking a significant update to the global travel framework. The release of the list reveals that while the programme remains largely unchanged, notable exclusions and additions have sparked attention worldwide.
Most significantly, the United Kingdom was excluded from the Visa Waiver Programme for 2025. However, the UK will continue to remain eligible under specific conditions, which were not immediately detailed. This marks a shift in the relationship between the U.S. and the UK in terms of visa-free access, but the U.S. has assured that additional options remain for UK nationals.
The updated VWP list also raised concerns in Africa, as no African countries, including major economies like Nigeria, Ghana, or South Africa, were included. The decision leaves millions of African travelers without the ability to visit the U.S. for short-term tourism or business without going through the traditional visa application process.
However, one notable inclusion in the 2025 list is Romania. This addition expands the programme, bringing the total number of participating countries to 40, further solidifying the U.S.’s commitment to streamlining travel for citizens of allied nations.
The United States government has emphasized that this update to the VWP comes with enhanced security measures and a focus on countries with strong diplomatic relations and robust border security standards. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs noted that all travelers must still obtain a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval before departing.
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The Visa Waiver Programme allows nationals of participating countries to enter the U.S. for business or tourism purposes without a visa for up to 90 days. However, travelers still have the option of applying for a visitor visa if they prefer to have one in their passport.
“The 2025 VWP update is a step towards simplifying international travel to the U.S., with a particular focus on maintaining robust border security while facilitating tourism, business, and transit,” the Bureau said in a statement.
As of now, the following 40 countries and territories are eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Chile
- Czech Republic
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Israel
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Japan
- Slovenia
- Latvia
- South Korea
- Liechtenstein
- Spain
- Lithuania
- Sweden
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Romania
- Monaco
The Visa Waiver Programme is expected to continue streamlining entry into the United States, improving accessibility for millions around the globe, and enabling greater international movement in line with modern security priorities.
