The United States government has released the 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) list, showing the countries whose citizens can travel to the US without a visa for up to 90 days.
The list which was released on Monday excluded the United Kingdom from the programme but remains eligible under specific conditions.
It is important to note that no African country, including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, made the list.
While most of the participating nations remained unchanged, Romania was added, marking a significant update to the programme.
The Visa Waiver Programme
According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs, the VWP allows citizens of participating countries to visit the United States for tourism or business without needing a visa.
However, travellers must obtain prior approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before embarking on their journey.
“Travellers must have a valid 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 US agency stated.
The US government has tightened security checks, prioritising countries with strong diplomatic ties and border security standards.
This year’s update aims to simplify visa-free entry for eligible travellers, facilitating business, tourism, and transit travel into the United States.
Currently, 40 countries are on the 2025 Visa Waiver Programme list, allowing their citizens to travel to the US without a visa.
The list include:
- Andorra,
- Australia,
- Austria,
- Belgium,
- Chile,
- Czech Republic,
- Croatia,
- Denmark,
- Estonia,
- Finland,
- France,
- Germany,
- Greece,
- Hungary,
- Iceland,
- Ireland,
- Italy,
- Israel
- Norway,
- Poland,
- Portugal,
- San Marino,
- Singapore,
- Slovakia,
- Japan,
- Slovenia,
- Latvia,
- South Korea,
- Liechtenstein,
- Spain,
- Lithuania,
- Sweden,
- Luxembourg,
- Switzerland,
- Malta,
- Netherlands,
- New Zealand,
- Qatar,
- Romania
- Monaco
