Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for nonimmigrant travel
The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States.
Apply for a visa without an interview
The following applicants may qualify to apply for a visa without an interview (interview waiver):
- under 14 years old if one parent holds a visa
- 80 years and older
- anyone renewing the same type of visa that expired in the last four years or is still valid
- First-time applicants for petition-based employment visas or F, M or Academic J visas who have previously traveled to the United States on a visa or ESTA
To confirm whether you qualify for this option, please visit https://ustraveldocs.com/ro/ro-niv-visarenew.asp for additional details. We strongly encourage applicants to use this option if they qualify. If you qualify but refuse the interview waiver application, we will not grant an emergency appointment for an earlier interview.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to apply for a visa through interview waiver you MUST be physically present in Romania. This includes children under the age of 14. If you are a non-resident applicant, coming for an interview, your child MUST be in Romania at the time their visa is adjudicated.
A note to non-resident applicants
If you travel from out of town to apply for a visa in Bucharest, please note that we will not prioritize your appointment or any follow up requirements due to a need to travel. We do not guarantee visa processing within any given timeframe. We do our best to process all visas expeditiously. Children under the age of 14 do not have to be present at the interview but MUST be physically in Romania at the time of the visa adjudication. We are unable to process ANY interview waiver case for an applicant outside of Romania.
Wait times for non-resident applicants are currently: 28 days
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
See our Directory of Visa Categories on usvisas.state.gov to determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States.
What is a Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
(Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit.).
Contact Us
To contact a customer service representative, please visit the GSS Contact Us page for full information or use contact information below:
- Telephone: For Visa Interview Appointments and Visa Information, call 03 17 800 260.
Customer Service Statement
The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States. We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known. Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.
We promise to you, the visa applicant, that:
- We will treat you with dignity and respect, even if we are unable to grant you a visa.
- We will treat you as an individual and your case as unique.
- We will remember that, to you, a visa interview may be a new or intimidating experience and that you may be nervous.
- We will use the limited time available for the interview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions.
- We will use our available resources to fairly assist all applicants to get appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.
- We will post detailed and accurate information on visa requirements and application procedures on every Embassy and Consulate website.
- We will provide information on non-immigrant appointment waiting times at every Embassy and Consulate posted on http://travel.state.gov.
- We will explain the reason for any visa denial to you.
Furthermore, if you are a:
- Student, we will make every effort to ensure that you get an appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to start classes.
- Medical and humanitarian emergency traveler, we will expedite processing for those dealing with life threatening emergencies.
- Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to:
- Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible.
- Complete your application fully and accurately.
- Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans.
- Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
