George Simion responds after Romania removed from US Visa Waiver Program

Key Takeaways

• On May 2, 2025, the US removed Romania from the Visa Waiver Program due to concerns about democracy and security.
• George Simion thanked the US for the removal, claiming it highlights Romania’s institutional failures and need for political reform.
• Romanians must now apply for traditional US visas, facing more paperwork, higher costs, and longer processing times.

On May 2, 2025, in a move that quickly became front-page news, the United States Department of Homeland Security announced it had officially ended Romania’s 🇷🇴 participation in the US Visa Waiver Program. This decision, explained by American officials as necessary “to protect the integrity of the [visa waiver program] and to ensure border and immigration security,” sparked a heated discussion inside Romania 🇷🇴, especially since it happened a short time before the first round of Romania’s presidential elections. The background context also included major political trouble at home, with the December 2024 national elections having been annulled, leaving many Romanians feeling uncertain about the country’s future direction.

Amid all this, George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party and one of the top candidates for president, made a statement that surprised many people. Rather than expressing regret or criticizing the American decision, Simion publicly thanked the United States 🇺🇸 for removing Romania from the US Visa Waiver Program.

George Simion’s Statement: Welcoming the US Decision

In several interviews, both with Romanian media and with American public figure Jack Posobiec, Simion clearly welcomed the US move. He said it was not just about travel rules—it was about a deeper problem in Romania’s 🇷🇴 governance and democracy. Simion stated:

“We thank Homeland Security and the Department of State for sending Romania a warning—a correct warning—that it is no longer a democracy and cannot be part of the Visa Waiver Program.”

He went on to say that this action from Washington was “very strong” and served as a clear message that Romanian democracy was not functioning as it should.

Simion touched on several points in his explanation:
– He claimed that Romania was no longer a truly democratic country, especially after three-and-a-half decades of what he called “institutional dysfunction.”
– He pointed to ongoing corruption, weakened democratic institutions, and several incidents where elections were annulled.
– He directly blamed officials in charge, specifically Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s government, for the situation.

What set Simion’s response apart from other politicians was that he didn’t argue that Romania deserved to remain in the US Visa Waiver Program. Instead, he said the removal was justified, even necessary, for the sake of Romania’s political health.

Accusations Against Government Actions

Simion went even further in his criticism of the Romanian government. According to him, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s team tried to manipulate the numbers for Romania’s US visa application refusals. In Simion’s words, officials used public money to help “artificially lower refusal rates,” hoping to make Romania’s case stronger for staying in the Visa Waiver Program. However, Simion said these efforts backfired and were eventually exposed—especially after policy changes under both President Biden, who had initially allowed Romania to join, and President Trump, under whose administration the decision to remove Romania was made.

He summed up this criticism by saying the removal only proved that the politicians running Romania failed to meet the standards required by the United States for participation in the Visa Waiver Program.

Democracy and the Path Forward

For many Romanians, the most direct impact of losing access to the US Visa Waiver Program is that they once again need to apply for traditional US visas if they want to visit, study, or work in the United States. This means more paperwork, higher costs, and sometimes long waiting times. For years, the goal of joining the US Visa Waiver Program was a symbol of Romanian progress and a sign of close ties to the United States.

But Simion argued that restoring access is not just about fixing paperwork or technical requirements. He said:

“We will be readmitted to the Visa Waiver program—and visas will be eliminated—once we return to democracy.”

For Simion, the solution is much bigger than fixing visa numbers. He insisted that only by restoring a fully functioning democracy, with fair elections and institutions that work for the people, would Romania 🇷🇴 win back the chance for its citizens to travel to the United States 🇺🇸 without a visa.

Using the Issue for Political Impact

Simion’s position, and the way he used this international setback, quickly became part of his larger political platform. While most politicians would usually try to shield the country from embarrassment, Simion openly blamed the loss of the Visa Waiver status on what he called “the Bucharest regime.” By this, he meant the current elites and the government structure in the capital city. According to Simion, years of weak decision-making, corruption, and disregard for democracy inside Romania led directly to the US action.

He presented his approach as tough but honest, and he invited citizens to see the US move not only as punishment, but also as a wake-up call—a sign it’s time for serious changes in Romania’s democracy.

Simion’s take on the US Visa Waiver Program issue has echoed similar views seen in various countries across Europe, where some right-wing or nationalist leaders have welcomed tough actions from foreign governments as proof that their countries need internal change. Critics warn that such positions can deepen divides inside a country, especially between people who want to maintain close ties and openness with Western partners and those who favor stronger national control over international affairs.

Responses and Controversies

Unsurprisingly, Simion’s public thank you to the US for removing the visa-free status was received with mixed feelings in Romania. On one hand, many ordinary Romanians were upset by the loss of visa-free travel to the United States 🇺🇸, which means new obstacles for tourists, students, and business travelers. For many families, especially those hoping to visit relatives in the United States, this is a serious setback.

On the other hand, Simion’s supporters praised his “clear-eyed” approach, agreeing with his calls for political reform and national renewal. Some Romanian analysts pointed out that Simion’s rhetoric matches a growing trend of “blaming the elites” for international failures, a message that often works well with populist voters.

A number of experts and media outlets highlighted that Simion’s stance is controversial because he did not mourn the loss of what was once considered a major diplomatic achievement. Instead, he cast the setback as an opportunity—a way to push for change at home.

At-a-Glance: George Simion’s Main Points

Here is a summary of the key positions George Simion took following Romania’s removal from the US Visa Waiver Program:

Simion’s response stands out from typical political reactions, as he sees loss not as a defeat, but as evidence for his argument that deep changes are needed inside Romania 🇷🇴.

Official Background on the US Visa Waiver Program

The US Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States 🇺🇸 for up to 90 days for tourism or business without getting a visa. To join, a country must meet several requirements, including low rates of visa refusals, good security controls, and a record of working together on law enforcement matters. The program is run by the US Department of Homeland Security, which explained its decision to remove Romania 🇷🇴 as necessary to hold the program to its high standards and to protect American security. You can learn more about the requirements for the program on the official US Department of State website.

Guardian sources, including VisaVerge.com, have pointed out that the removal of a country from the US Visa Waiver Program is rare and often signals serious concerns from Washington about how that country’s government and institutions are functioning.

What’s Next for Romanians and US Travel?

So what does this decision mean in practice for ordinary Romanians? Starting after May 2, 2025, anyone from Romania 🇷🇴 who wants to travel to the United States 🇺🇸 for business, tourism, or short-term study now needs to apply for a standard US visa the same as people from many other countries. This can involve a time-consuming application process, an interview at the US Embassy, and payment of application fees.

For those who frequently traveled to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, this is a big change. It may affect not only tourists, but also businesspeople, students, and families with relatives living in the United States. For many, the sudden change adds stress and uncertainty to future trips.

The US Embassy in Bucharest has advised Romanian citizens to check the most up-to-date procedures for applying, including which forms to use and what documents to prepare. As reported by VisaVerge.com, changes to visa rules often lead to a surge in applications, longer waiting times, and more pressure on consular services.

Wider Political Significance

The United States 🇺🇸 decision was also timed just before Romania’s presidential elections, adding to the already tense political environment. Political observers say this action has handed politicians like George Simion a new talking point just as they seek votes. In a political climate already marked by disputes over cancelled elections and heated debate about corruption, the visa issue has quickly become a symbol of deeper questions about where Romania 🇷🇴 is headed.

For supporters of stronger democracy, the loss of Visa Waiver status serves as a warning that good governance and the rule of law matter not just for domestic affairs but also for how countries are treated abroad. For critics of Simion, the fact that he was willing to thank an outside power for punishing Romania raises concerns about nationalism, future foreign relations, and his intentions if elected president.

Is Rejoining the US Visa Waiver Program Possible?

According to both US and Romanian officials, a country’s participation in the US Visa Waiver Program can be reviewed if the needed reforms are made and the required standards are met. For Romania 🇷🇴, that means fixing corruption, ensuring fair elections, improving security, and rebuilding trust with US authorities.

Simion sees this path as clear: only by restoring democracy at home can Romanians regain the chance to travel freely to the United States without visas.

What Should Romanian Travelers Do Now?

If you are planning to visit the United States 🇺🇸 and you hold a Romanian 🇷🇴 passport, you now need to go through the regular US visa process. This includes gathering documents, filling out application forms, and scheduling an interview. Details about the required forms and official guidance can be found on the US Embassy in Bucharest’s website and the US Department of State.

Conclusion

The United States 🇺🇸 removal of Romania 🇷🇴 from the US Visa Waiver Program is more than just a story about travel or visas. For Romanian citizens, it means extra hurdles to visit America. For politicians like George Simion, it’s become a signal about the health of Romania’s democracy and an important part of the national political discussion. Whether Romanians agree with Simion’s outspoken praise of the US action or not, his comments have brought new attention to the importance of good governance, fair elections, and honesty in public affairs. As Romania decides what kind of democracy it wants to build in the years ahead, the future of travel between Romania 🇷🇴 and the United States 🇺🇸 will likely depend on those choices.

Learn Today

Visa Waiver Program → A US government policy allowing certain nationalities to visit for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
Homeland Security → The US department responsible for national security issues, including border and immigration policy, and program eligibility.
George Simion → Romanian politician, leader of the AUR party, known for nationalist views and outspoken positions on government actions.
Annulled Elections → Elections that have been declared invalid or cancelled, often due to irregularities or legal challenges.
Visa Refusal Rate → The percentage of visa applicants from a country denied entry; crucial for a country’s Visa Waiver Program eligibility.

This Article in a Nutshell

Romania’s removal from the US Visa Waiver Program on May 2, 2025, sparked political debate. George Simion’s surprising support for the US decision reframed the event as necessary for democratic reform. Romanians now face more hurdles traveling to America, making this change both a political and personal turning point.
— By VisaVerge.com

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• U.S. Considers Adding Romania to Visa Waiver Program
• Romania Nears Historic Step Toward Visa-Free Travel to the U.S.