Cyprus: Visa Waiver to the US Imminent?

September is expected to be crucial regarding the potential abolition of visa requirements for Cypriots traveling to the United States. All necessary procedures on the part of the Republic of Cyprus have been completed, with a significant step being the connection of the police systems of Cyprus and America.

The system connection, recently completed, allows for the secure exchange of digital data between the two countries, including traveler information and cooperation on security issues. In April, a technical team from the US visited Cyprus, while in June, contacts were made in Washington.

The final recommendation for Cyprus' inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program is expected in Congress in September. According to the American website Visa Verge, if Congress approves, Cypriot citizens could travel to the US without a visa by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

For inclusion in the program, US visa refusal rates must not exceed 3%. In 2024, the rate for Cyprus was 2.16%. Meanwhile, Romania, although close to exemption, ultimately does not meet the criteria due to security reasons.

At the same time, procedures are running feverishly for Cyprus' accession to the Schengen Area, with the aim of completing the technical procedures by the end of the year. Accession requires strict control of external borders and the operation of electronic information exchange systems.