The United States has expanded its Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in 2025, adding Qatar to the list of countries whose citizens can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they secure prior approval through ESTA. As of August 21, the program covers 43 countries, up from 41 in recent years. Romania and Bulgaria remain outside the program following recent reviews. The policy permits travel only for tourism, business, or transit—no work or study is allowed during the stay.
The program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the Department of State. The government emphasizes security cooperation with partner countries and ongoing screening before and at the border. According to VisaVerge.com analysis, the total count reached 43 after the 2025 updates, reflecting steady but careful growth tied to security and immigration standards.
Policy changes and legal framework
This year’s headline change is the inclusion of Qatar in the Visa Waiver Program. At the same time, Romania and Bulgaria are not participating after recent U.S. reviews; travelers from those countries must continue to apply for visas.
Core rules remain in place:
– Travelers must hold a valid electronic passport.
– Travelers must obtain ESTA approval before departure.
– Activities in the United States are limited to tourism, business, or transit only.
Security provisions introduced under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 still apply. These include extra limits for individuals who have visited certain countries or who hold dual nationality with those countries. Additionally, since July 2023, DHS has enforced added restrictions on people who have been in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, requiring a visa even if they otherwise qualify under the program.
The VWP is grounded in close security cooperation—information sharing and counterterrorism work—with countries that meet strict benchmarks. DHS continues to monitor compliance and can adjust participation as risks and geopolitics change. For official program rules, visit the DHS Visa Waiver Program page: https://www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program.
Practical effects for travelers
The Visa Waiver Program is designed for short trips and revolves around ESTA, the online travel authorization required before boarding a carrier to the United States.
What ESTA involves:
– Submission of basic biographic and passport details
– Answers to security questions
– Payment of a fee
– Most applicants receive quick responses, but DHS advises applying ahead of time
Key rules and reminders:
– Valid electronic passport from a VWP country is required.
– Travel must be for tourism, business, or transit only; no work or study is allowed.
– ESTA approval is required before travel. Apply online at the official ESTA site: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
– ESTA is generally valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
– Each entry is limited to 90 days.
Arrival is not guaranteed: all travelers are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon entry. Travelers who do not receive ESTA approval, or who fall under restrictions, must apply for a traditional visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Eligibility limits and country-specific restrictions
Under current rules, individuals who have been in the following countries since January 12, 2021, or who are dual nationals of these countries and a VWP country, are not eligible to use the program and must apply for a visa instead:
– North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Cuba
These limits remain important gatekeepers to the program and reflect security considerations.
Current VWP membership (regional breakdown)
The list of participants focuses on countries with strong economies and close security ties to the United States. The current membership spans:
- Europe: United Kingdom, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Qatar
- Americas: Chile
- Middle East: Israel
Note: Romania and Bulgaria are not part of the program at this time.
How to use the Visa Waiver Program — step by step
- Confirm you hold citizenship from a Visa Waiver Program country.
- Make sure you have a valid electronic passport.
- Apply for ESTA online, ideally at least 72 hours before travel.
- Receive ESTA approval (usually valid for two years or until passport expiry).
- Travel to the United States for up to 90 days for permitted purposes.
- Complete inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival.
Who benefits and who needs a visa
For families and business travelers, the addition of Qatar offers more flexibility: Qatari citizens who meet the rules can plan short trips without attending a visa interview, saving time and travel costs.
However, important limitations remain:
– An ESTA denial, a recent visit to a restricted country, or dual nationality with a restricted country will require the traveler to pursue a standard visa.
– The VWP does not cover people intending to study or work in the United States. Students and workers must apply for the appropriate visa category.
Airlines, travel agents, and employers should continue to screen travel plans around ESTA and the 90‑day cap. Cases involving dual nationality or past travel to restricted countries require closer review. VisaVerge.com reports that the total country count rose to 43 in 2025, while the program’s core guardrails remain unchanged.
Important: Check official updates before booking. Policies tied to the 2015 law and the Cuba measures from July 2023 remain in force. DHS regularly reviews countries for continued participation based on security cooperation and visa overstay trends.
For current information and to submit an ESTA application, consult the DHS page and the official ESTA portal linked above:
– https://www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program
– https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Qatar joined the Visa Waiver Program in 2025, raising membership to 43 countries. Travelers need valid electronic passports and prior ESTA approval. Visits remain limited to tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days. Security reviews and country-specific restrictions, including Cuba rules since 2023, still affect eligibility.
