Over 26,000 Romanians Received Non-Immigrant Visas For U.S.A In 2009 – Ambassador

"I would also like to take a moment to discuss visa application refusals. As I said before, some 26,000 Romanians received non-immigrant visas for the United States last year, about 75% of those that applied. That's pretty good, but it is true that not everyone who applies for a non-immigrant visa qualifies for the visa," said Gitenstein.

The ambassador said the U.S. Embassy wants to make sure that the application process is as simple and well understood as it can be.

"I also want to highlight a new application procedure that we began last week for all visa applicants - the Consular Electronic Application Center (or CEAC). The CEAC is accessed through our website and is home to our new electronic application form," Gitenstein said, adding "the new electronic form incorporates all previous application forms into one."

Romania's Foreign Affairs Ministry and the United States Embassy in Bucharest set off a joint information campaign for the Romanian citizens who wish to obtain non-immigrant visas to visit the United States. The event took place at the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry headquarters.

Romanian Foreign Minister Theodor Baconschi said during the event that the visa elimination issue remains a key topic in talks between Romania and the United States, adding that one of the ways Romanians could benefit from the Visa Waiver program is to reduce the visa application refusal rate, as well as "improve the internal system controlling the number of citizens who want to travel to the United States."

Baconschi said Romania concluded the implementation of electronic passports, adding Romanian authorities will ensure a better border security system to observe EU regulations and join the Schengen area.

Baconschi added the Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry work together to counter illegal migration, organized crime and terrorism.

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