United States Imposes Travel Restrictions on Hungarian Citizens Over Passport Verification Concerns
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The United States has implemented new travel restrictions on citizens of Hungary due to concerns over the verification of nearly 1 million foreigners who were granted Hungarian passports over a nine-year period, according to the U.S. Embassy and a government official.
These restrictions specifically target the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows passport holders from 40 countries to enter the United States for business or tourism without a visa for up to 90 days. Hungarian passport holders will now face reduced validity periods under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, with travel limited to one year and a single entry into the United States. These restrictions are unique to Hungary among the 40 participating states in the Visa Waiver Program.
A senior U.S. government official, speaking anonymously, stated that the decision to impose these restrictions came after years of unsuccessful attempts to work with Hungary’s government to address security concerns. The official revealed that hundreds of thousands of Hungarian passports were issued without adequate identity verification, including to individuals with criminal backgrounds who pose a safety threat and have no connection to Hungary.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s government introduced a simplified naturalization procedure in 2011, allowing individuals claiming Hungarian ancestry to acquire citizenship even if they did not reside or intend to live in Hungary. As a result, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring countries, primarily Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine, obtained Hungarian citizenship through this simplified procedure.
Critics argue that this program enabled non-taxpaying ethnic Hungarians residing in other countries to vote in Hungarian elections, giving Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party an electoral advantage.
Due to these concerns, the United States previously reclassified Hungary as a provisional member of the Visa Waiver Program. In response to the newly imposed restrictions, Hungary’s government issued a statement through the Interior Ministry, stating that the United States had demanded the personal data of ethnic Hungarians abroad with dual citizenship. Hungary’s government refused to provide this information, citing the need to protect the security of its citizens.
The statement from the Interior Ministry accused President Joe Biden’s administration of seeking revenge against Hungarians. The ongoing dispute between the two countries highlights the challenges surrounding passport verification and the potential implications for international travel and security.
What concerns have prompted the United States to impose travel restrictions on Hungarian citizens under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program?
In response to concerns regarding the verification of nearly 1 million foreigners who were granted Hungarian passports over a nine-year period, the United States has imposed travel restrictions on Hungarian citizens. These restrictions specifically impact the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows passport holders from 40 countries to enter the United States without a visa for up to 90 days for business or tourism purposes. Hungarian passport holders will now face reduced validity periods under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, limiting their travel to one year and only allowing a single entry into the United States. It is important to note that these restrictions are unique to Hungary among the 40 participating states in the Visa Waiver Program.
