The United States (US) has removed Ghana and other African countries from the list of eligible countries for the 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), a visa-free travel initiative.
Notably, the United Kingdom has also been excluded from the general list but remains eligible under specific conditions.
The 2025 VWP welcomes Romania as a new participant and largely maintains the existing list of eligible countries.
According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs, the VWP allows citizens of eligible countries to visit the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
The United States has emphasised enhanced security checks and prioritised nations demonstrating strong diplomatic ties and robust border security standards in its selection process.
The VWP enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
Travellers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements.
The bureau also noted that individuals who prefer to have a visa stamped in their passport can still apply for a visitor visa.
As of 2025, a total of 40 countries have been included in the Visa Waiver Programme, granting citizens from these countries visa-free access to the US.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak