US Implements New ESTA Restrictions for Hungarians

Published: 2023-08-08

The United States has recently implemented new visa restrictions for Hungarian citizens due to security concerns regarding Hungarian passports issued between 2011 and 2020. Hungary is the only country out of the 40 participating in the US Visa Waiver Program to be affected by these restrictions.

Under the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of participating countries, including Hungary, can travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without a visa, using only the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). However, as of Tuesday, the validity of ESTA for holders of Hungarian passports has been reduced from two years to one year, and an ESTA will now be valid for one-time use only.

According to David Pressman, the US Ambassador in Budapest, the Hungarian government has issued hundreds of thousands of passports as part of a simplified naturalization program without rigorous identity verification processes in place. The US government has been working with Hungary for years to address this security gap, but the Hungarian government has chosen not to take action. Pressman emphasized that this was not the outcome the United States sought or is seeking and described it as an unfortunate situation.

The new restrictions on visa-free travel to the United States will affect Hungarian citizens who hold passports issued between 2011 and 2020. The reduced validity of ESTA and the one-time use limitation will require Hungarian travelers to apply for visas if they plan to visit the United States for tourism or business purposes beyond the 90-day limit.

The implementation of new visa restrictions by the United States for Hungarian citizens highlights concerns over the security of Hungarian passports issued during a specific time period. The changes to the Visa Waiver Program will impact Hungarian travelers, who will now need to obtain visas for longer visits to the United States. It remains to be seen if the Hungarian government will take steps to address the identified security gap and potentially have the restrictions lifted in the future.

=== What is the reason for the new visa restrictions imposed by the United States on Hungarians? The United States has imposed new visa restrictions on Hungarians due to security concerns over Hungarian passports issued between 2011 and 2020.

How will the new visa restrictions affect Hungarians traveling to the United States? The validity of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for holders of Hungarian passports will be reduced from two years to one year, and an ESTA will be valid for one-time use only.

How long can citizens of participating countries travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program? Citizens of participating countries can travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without a visa.

Is Hungary the only country affected by these visa restrictions? Yes, Hungary is the only one of the 40 countries participating in the program to be affected by the restrictions.

What is the simplified naturalization program in Hungary mentioned in the article? The simplified naturalization program in Hungary refers to a government initiative that has issued hundreds of thousands of passports without stringent identity verification mechanisms in place.

Has the US government been trying to address this "security gap" with the Hungarian government? Yes, according to the US Ambassador in Budapest, the US government has been trying to address this security gap with the Hungarian government for years and through several administrations.

What is the outcome that the United States is seeking in relation to these visa restrictions? The outcome that the United States is seeking is for the Hungarian government to close the security gap related to the issuance of passports in the simplified naturalization program.

How long have Hungarian passports issued between 2011 and 2020 been a concern for the United States? Hungarian passports issued between 2011 and 2020 have been a concern for the United States for an unspecified period of time.

Can Hungarian citizens still travel to the United States with a visa? Yes, Hungarian citizens can still travel to the United States with a visa, but the new restrictions affect visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

Are there any alternative options for Hungarians affected by the new visa restrictions? One alternative option for Hungarians affected by the new visa restrictions is to apply for a visa through the regular visa application process.