From September 30, 2025, Hungarian citizens will once again have full access to the visa waiver program. (Visa Waiver Program, VWP) for the United States. This decision marks the end of the restrictions introduced in 2023, which limited the validity of the ESTA authorization to one year and a single entry into the USA for foreign-born Hungarian passport holders. From now on, the validity period of the ESTA will be extended to two years, with the possibility of multiple stays during this period.
This decision was announced by Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via a official communiqué.
This decision cancels the restrictions previously imposed on Hungarian citizens' ability to travel under the VWP, as well as their ability to use the electronic travel authorization system (ESTA).
Extract from the official press release by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
A diplomatic context between Washington and Budapest
By 2021, the US administration had imposed strict restrictions on Hungarian nationals, highlighting concerns about the simplified granting of Hungarian nationality to almost a million people between 2011 and 2020 without sufficient checks. This policy had raised fears about the security and reliability of Hungarian identity documents. The citizens concerned were obliged to apply for a new ESTA authorization each time they travelled, making travel between Hungary and the USA particularly complex.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now justifies this lifting of restrictions by the efforts and corrective measures undertaken by Budapest to improve identity verification and the security of issued titles.
U.S. officials welcome the normalization, saying it reflects the strength of the security partnership between Budapest and Washington. "The United States and Hungary share a common commitment to security," said US Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. The US Chargé d'Affaires in Budapest, Robert Palladino, added that the decision reaffirms the "friendship based on sovereignty, freedom and mutual respect" between the two countries.
Practical details for travelers
In concrete terms, Hungarian citizens can once again apply for the ESTA electronic travel authorization, valid for two years.enabling them to carry out multiple tourist or business stays in the United States for a maximum of 90 days per visit, without the need for a traditional visa.
This development makes Hungary one of the countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, alongside over forty other partner countries.
Price of ESTA on the rise
From September 30, 2025, the ESTA electronic travel authorization fee to double from $21 to $40. For more details on how and why this increase is being applied, please see our latest article : United States: The price of ESTA doubles from September 30, 2025.
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