Opinion Poll: 53% of Americans Support Lifting Visa for Romanians

According to a poll done in the United States by The Bullfinch Group in collaboration with Romania’s INSCOP Research, more than half of Americans support removing visa requirements for Romanian nationals travelling to the United States.

Even though Romania is a US ally, the issue of visa removal has not been addressed enough. Romania, among countries like Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus, are now excluded from the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of other EU member states to enter the US without a visa.

Survey Findings: 53% of Americans support Romania being included in Visa Waiver Program

When asked whether they support or oppose adding Romania to the Visa Waiver Program, which currently allows citizens of 40 countries to visit the US for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, most Americans (53%) said they support the removal of access for Romanian citizens. Only 21% of respondents oppose the removal of visas, while 25% are undecided.

In terms of political possibilities, Democratic voters are the most supportive of eliminating visas for Romanian people. As a result, 57% of Democratic Party voters support Romania joining the Visa Waiver Program, while 15% oppose it and 28% are uncertain.

The repeal of visas for Romanian citizens is supported by half of Republican Party voters (50%), opposed by 29%, and uncertain by 21%.

Independent voters support the removal of visas for Romanians in the same proportion as the general population. As a result, 54% of independent voters support Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, while 21% oppose it and 25% are undecided.

Our data clearly shows that Americans have a very positive opinion of allied countries that support US policies around the world and that Americans do not perceive Romania as a source of illegal immigration. That is why most Americans support the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver Program; the percentage of those who oppose it is significantly lower. It is also very relevant that there is absolutely no category of the population that we tested in the US in which the percentage of those who oppose the abolition of visas for Romanian citizens is higher than the percentage of those who support the abolition of visas.

Brett Lloyd, president and CEO of The Bullfinch Group

According to Remus Stefureac, head of Strategic Thinking Group, the information could help Romania access the Visa Waiver Program.

Data show very clearly that the share of the US population, registered voters from all political quarters (Democrats, Republicans or independents) who support the abolition of visas for Romanian citizens is more than double the share of those who oppose it. The findings may further contribute to the efforts to persuade members of the US Congress and the US administration to include Romania, one of America’s most reliable allies, in the Visa Waiver program.

Remus Stefureac, head of Strategic Thinking Group

In collaboration with INSCOP Research, the Bullfinch Group performed a national opinion poll in the United States as part of a research project sponsored by the think tank STRATEGIC Thinking Group. Phone interviews were used to collect data from February 19th to 23rd, 2022.

Romania is a US ally that supports US policies worldwide, and it has been a strategic politico-military partner since 1997. The fact that Washington does not offer all EU member nations visa-free travel on its territory remains an unresolved issue, to the prejudice of Romanians and other countries, including Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus. As a result, the idea of visa reciprocity between the EU and the United States is not fully implemented.