According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs, the VWP allows citizens or nationals from participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business or transit for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The United States has announced the updated list of eligible countries for its 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).
A notable change is the exclusion of the United Kingdom from full participation, though it remains eligible under specific conditions.
The list released on Monday also continues to exclude all African nations, with countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa notably absent.
A key update to the programme is the inclusion of Romania, reflecting the US government’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic relationships and enhance security measures. The revised list prioritises countries with strong border control standards and established diplomatic ties.
According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs, the VWP allows citizens or nationals from participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
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In a statement, the agency clarified: “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 2025 Visa Waiver Programme introduces updated eligibility criteria, revised policies for participating countries and new travel regulations aiming to simplify visa-free entry for millions of travellers worldwide. This update is expected to boost tourism, business opportunities and international cooperation.
List of 2025 Visa Waiver Programme Countries
- 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
- Monaco
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