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Cyprus is inching closer to landing a spot in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, and there’s one big reason why: it now has one of the lowest U.S. visa rejection rates in the world.
According to fresh data from the U.S. State Department, just 2.16% of Cypriot visa applications were rejected last year, a figure that puts Cyprus near the top globally and well below the 3% cut-off required to qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
In simple terms? We’re finally ticking one of the biggest boxes needed for visa-free travel to the United States, something Cypriot travelers have been waiting years for.
Final checks underway
A group of U.S. officials has been in Cyprus since Monday to carry out the final leg of checks. Over the past few days, they’ve visited airports, ports, the Immigration and Interior Ministries, and the Cyprus Police to see how we handle security and border control.
Their visit wraps up on Wednesday, and once the dust settles, the U.S. team will draft a report for Congress. If the review is positive, and all signs so far suggest it will be, Congress could approve Cyprus’s entry into the program.
After that, it’s just a matter of time. U.S. systems would need two or three months to update, and then Cypriots could start applying online for quick travel authorizations, skipping the usual visa process.
Why September matters
Even though there’s no official deadline, Cypriot officials are keen to get this wrapped up before September. That’s when the current visa rejection rates reset — and Cyprus wants to take advantage of this year’s record-low figure.
“Ideally, we’d like everything in place by September,” a government source told the Cyprus News Agency. “This year’s rejection rate puts us in a great position — now we need to act.”
How we compare
To put things in perspective, Cyprus ranks just behind the UAE (1.46%) and ahead of countries like Romania and Uruguay. Some microstates, like the Vatican and Liechtenstein, technically had 0% rejection rates — likely because they had no or very few applicants.
Meanwhile, some countries face steep rejection odds: visa requests from Laos, Liberia, and Somalia were turned down more than 75% of the time.
What this means for travelers
If Cyprus gets into the program, traveling to the U.S. will get a whole lot easier. You’ll still need to apply online through the ESTA system (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), but it’s quick, simple, and far less of a hassle than applying for a full visa.
This would be a big win for tourists, students, business travelers, and anyone with family in the States.
While nothing is official just yet, Cyprus is closer than ever to joining the club — and with numbers like these, it may just be a matter of time.
