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Cyprus is one step closer to joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) after resolving critical technical issues related to system interconnection with U.S. authorities, according to officials familiar with the matter.
According to an article by Kathimerini's Dorita Yiannakou, the technical obstacles, which involved secure digital exchanges of passenger and security data, compliance with U.S. security standards, and access to terrorism and crime-related databases, were among the primary prerequisites for inclusion in the VWP.
Sources confirmed that internal assessments have been finalized and submitted to U.S. authorities. A formal recommendation to Congress is expected in the coming weeks, with key decisions anticipated by September. A three-month adjustment period would follow, during which U.S. systems would incorporate Cyprus into the program.
The Cypriot government has identified 2025 as a critical year to complete the process. If not finalized by then, Cyprus would need to restart from the beginning under a new evaluation cycle.
Crucially, Cyprus’s low visa refusal rate, currently at 2.16%, the third lowest globally, positions the country favorably. VWP eligibility requires a refusal rate below 3%, based on annual data from September to September.
On July 17, Cyprus ratified an agreement with the U.S. to strengthen cooperation on combating serious crime, satisfying another major VWP condition. This builds on a foundational agreement signed in 2015, and further implemented in legislation passed by the Cypriot House of Representatives last October.
In April, U.S. officials conducted inspections at Cypriot ports and airports to verify implementation of agreed security measures.
Once approved, Cypriot citizens will be able to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which allows for multiple entries over a two-year period.
Officials say final decisions are expected after the summer, with September likely to bring clarity on Cyprus’s long-awaited entry into the program.
