Hungary’s Full Visa Waiver Status Restored by DHS

Key Point  

• The Department of Homeland Security has lifted travel restrictions on Hungary, reinstating its full Visa Waiver Program status after the country addressed key security concerns 

Visa Waiver Program with Hungary  

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has officially lifted all restrictions on Hungary’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), reinstating full travel privileges for Hungarian citizens. This decision follows security improvements made by the Hungarian government in response to concerns raised by the U.S. 

• Hungary has now taken corrective actions to address those security vulnerabilities. 
• As a result, DHS has fully restored Hungary’s VWP status, allowing Hungarian citizens to: 
  • Apply for two-year ESTAs 
  • Use them for multiple entries 
  • Resume normal travel privileges under the VWP by September 30, 2025 

Background on the U.S. VWP with Hungary  

In 2021, DHS revoked existing Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approvals for Hungarian passport holders born outside Hungary and blocked new ESTA applications from that group. 

In August 2023, the U.S. further restricted Hungarian ESTAs by reducing their validity from two years to one and limiting them to single use only. 

What is the U.S. Waiver Program  

The U.S. government created the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in 1986 to streamline business and tourism travel into the U.S. for citizens from certain countries. This program came in response to a rapidly globalizing world economy. Explore more in our blog: What is the Visa Waiver Program?  

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