US Limits Hungarian Visa-Free Travel Over Security Concerns
The US has limited Hungarians’ visa-free travel to the US, citing security concerns. Hungary is the only country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to be affected by the restrictions.
The US embassy in Budapest said the decision was made because Hungary has failed to address security vulnerabilities in its simplified naturalization process. The process allows people with Hungarian ancestry living abroad to become Hungarian citizens more easily.
The US government is concerned that some of the Hungarian passports that have been issued through this process may have been granted to individuals who pose a security risk.
As a result of the decision, Hungarian citizens will now only be allowed to travel to the US under the VWP for one entry, instead of the usual multiple entries.
Hungary has criticized the US decision, saying it endangers Hungarians’ safety and is an act of “revenge.” The Hungarian government has also said that it will not comply with the US government’s demands to change its simplified naturalization process.
The US government’s decision is likely to further strain relations between Hungary and the West.