If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling to the U.S. without the hassle of a visa, it looks like that dream is still out of reach for African passport holders.
The United States has just released its 2025 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) list, and once again, not a single African country has made the cut.
According to Business Insider Africa, the updated list includes 40 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, but Africa’s 54 nations remain completely excluded.
This decision has sparked discussions about why African countries continue to be left out and what it means for travelers from the continent.
Why Are African Countries Not Included?
The exclusion of African nations from the Visa Waiver Program is not new.
Over the years, visa rejection rates for African nationals have risen significantly, with concerns cited around immigration violations, fraudulent activities, security risks, high numbers of asylum seekers, economic instability, and weaker diplomatic relationships with the U.S. These factors continue to be barriers preventing African nations from being considered for visa-free travel.
What Is the U.S. Visa Waiver Program?
For those unfamiliar, the U.S. Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of approved countries to visit the United States for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
However, travelers must still obtain prior approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), as per the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs.
While the 2025 list remains largely unchanged from previous years, Romania has been newly added, marking a small expansion of the program.
Full List of Eligible Countries for the 2025 Visa Waiver Program
The nations that made the cut for visa-free entry into the U.S. include:
- Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
- Asia & Pacific: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea
- Middle East: Israel, Qatar
- South America: Chile
South Africa’s Passport Ranking Improves
In other travel-related news, South Africa’s passport has moved up on the Henley & Partners Passport Index, now ranking 47th out of 199 global passports.
However, despite the improvement, South Africans have lost visa-free access to two countries—Mauritania and Pakistan—which now require e-visas instead.
Should the U.S. Reconsider Its Decision?
The exclusion of all African countries from the Visa Waiver Program raises a lot of questions.
Is it fair for an entire continent to be left out? Should the U.S. be making efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties and make travel easier for African nations?