Hungarians face visa restrictions in the US

The United States has limited Hungary's participation in its visa waiver program due to security concerns over new passports issued between 2011 and 2020. Hungarian passport holders will now have their Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) validity reduced from two years to one, and it will only be valid for a single use. This move, affecting Hungary as the only country out of 40 participating in the program, comes after the Hungarian government implemented a policy granting citizenship to ethnic Hungarians abroad. The U.S. has been engaging with Hungary on this security vulnerability for years, but the Hungarian government has chosen not to address it. The decision comes at a time when Hungary's relationship with Western partners is strained due to concerns over democratic standards, LGBTQ+ rights, and ties to Russia.