The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially lifted travel restrictions on Hungary under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), following Hungary’s implementation of enhanced security measures.
This decision restores Hungary’s full VWP status, allowing eligible Hungarian citizens to once again travel to the United States using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) with a two-year validity and multiple entries, effective September 30, 2025.
Background
In recent years, DHS imposed restrictions on Hungarian travelers due to security concerns, including:
- Revocation of ESTAs for Hungarian passport holders born outside Hungary
- Denial of new ESTA applications for the same group
- Reduction of ESTA validity to one year and limitation to single-use (as of August 2023)
Following diplomatic engagement and Hungary’s efforts to address these vulnerabilities, DHS has now reversed these measures.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
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