The United States has announced the list of eligible countries for its 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), introducing key updates. While the United Kingdom has been removed from general eligibility, it remains qualified under specific conditions.
Notably, no African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, or South Africa, were included in the programme.
A major update is the inclusion of Romania, reflecting the U.S. government’s focus on strengthening diplomatic ties and prioritizing nations with robust border security measures.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, the VWP permits citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days without requiring a visa.
The bureau stated on its website: “Travelers 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 programme introduces policy updates and revised eligibility criteria, aiming to simplify visa-free entry and enhance access for business and tourism.
List of 2025 Visa Waiver Programme Countries
A total of 40 countries are eligible under 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
- Monaco