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Romania Becomes the 43rd Member of the Visa Waiver Program

Romania Becomes the 43rd Member of the Visa Waiver Program

May 5, 2025: In mid-March, DHS announced that it was pausing the implementation of ESTA for Romanian citizens. On May 2, 2025, DHS rescinded Romania’s designation. Original post: On January 10, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security designated Romania as the 43rd...

Citizens of Qatar Eligible for Visa Waiver Program from December 1

Citizens of Qatar Eligible for Visa Waiver Program from December 1

As of December 1, 2024, Qatar will be the 42nd member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Citizens of member countries of the VWP may enter the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. In return, U.S. citizens may enter member countries...

Citizens of Israel eligible for Visa Waiver Program from September 19

Citizens of Israel eligible for Visa Waiver Program from September 19

Update: The start date for implementation has been moved up to September 19, 2023. Original post:As of November 30, 2023, Israel will be the 41st member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Citizens of member countries of the Visa Waiver Program may enter the United...

ESTA Ineligibility for Dual Nationals of and Persons Present in Cuba

ESTA Ineligibility for Dual Nationals of and Persons Present in Cuba

On July 6, 2023, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) updated the online Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to exclude persons who are dual nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country and of Cuba. Persons present in Cuba on or after the January 21, 2021...

Citizens of Poland Eligible for Visa Waiver Program from November 11

Citizens of Poland Eligible for Visa Waiver Program from November 11

As of November 11, 2019, Poland becomes the 39th member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Citizens of member countries of the Visa Waiver Program may enter the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. In return, U.S. citizens may enter member countries under the same conditions. Beginning on November 11th, Polish citizens may apply online for authorization to travel to the U.S. through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). 

Forms DS-160 and DS-260 now require disclosure of social media accounts

Forms DS-160 and DS-260 now require disclosure of social media accounts

On May 30, 2019, the U.S. Department of State added required questions about social media accounts or identifiers to the online nonimmigrant and immigrant visa application forms, the DS-160 and DS-260.  This means that anyone applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa (a temporary visa) or a U.S. immigrant visa (permanent residence, a green card) must disclose all social media accounts used in the last five years. Social media presumably will be reviewed by U.S. Consular personnel in the course of visa adjudications.