The United States has unveiled the list of countries eligible for its 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), introducing key updates. Notably, while the United Kingdom has been removed from general eligibility, it remains qualified under specific conditions.
A significant aspect of the updated list is the continued exclusion of all African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. Meanwhile, Romania has been added, signaling the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and prioritizing nations with robust border security measures.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, the VWP allows citizens and nationals of participating countries to visit the U.S. for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days without a visa.
“Travellers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor visa,” the bureau stated on its website.
The 2025 programme brings updates to travel policies and eligibility criteria, simplifying visa-free entry for millions while enhancing accessibility for business and tourism.
List of 2025 Visa Waiver Programme Countries
A total of 40 countries are included in the updated programme:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Spain, Lithuania, Sweden, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Qatar, Romania, and Monaco.
