By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The United States (U.S.) has released the list of countries eligible for its 2025 Visa Waiver Program (VWP), featuring some notable updates.
While the United Kingdom remains eligible under specific conditions, it is no longer part of the general eligibility list.
Notably, no African countries—including Nigeria, Ghana, or South Africa—are included in the updated list.
A key highlight of the 2025 update is the addition of Romania, reflecting the U.S. government’s focus on strengthening diplomatic ties and prioritizing countries that meet stringent border security standards.
What Is the US Visa Waiver Program?
According to the U.S. 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 obtaining a visa.
The bureau states, “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 updates introduce new travel policies and eligibility criteria, streamlining visa-free entry for millions and making business and tourism access more convenient.
Full List of 2025 Visa Waiver Program Countries
A total of 40 countries are eligible under the updated program:
- 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
With these updates, travelers from these 40 countries can continue to enjoy visa-free entry into the U.S., provided they meet all requirements, including obtaining ESTA authorization before travel.