The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that the prior restrictions imposed on Hungary’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) status have been removed and its full status restored.
Previously, DHS had placed restrictions that limited Hungarian citizens’ ability to travel under the VWP and their ability to use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA.)
In 2021, DHS begin denying new ESTA applications made by Hungarian applicants born outside of Hungary and also revoked already-issued ESTAs from all Hungarian passport holders outside of Hungary. In 2023, ESTAs issued to Hungarians were limited to a single entry and a validity period of only one year.
The restoration of VWP and ESTA access was approved by DHS after the Hungarian government completed steps to address security vulnerabilities requested by the U.S. government.
Starting on September 30, 2025, Hungarian citizens will now be able to apply for an ESTA with multiple entries and a two-year validity period. A complete list of VWP-eligible countries can be found here.
David Binsacca © Jewell Stewart Pratt Beckerson & Carr PC 2025