Dorita Yiannakou
A team of U.S. State Department and Congressional officials arrived in Cyprus on Monday to carry out the final technical checks required for the country’s entry into the coveted U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The visit, which will continue through Wednesday, marks the final hurdle in a process that’s been years in the making.
According to sources cited by Kathimerini, the American delegation is in Cyprus to verify that all measures outlined in the bilateral action plan have been fully implemented by Cypriot authorities. Their inspection includes rigorous checks at ports and airports to assess the country’s security systems and procedures.
From there, a three-month adjustment period will follow to integrate Cyprus into the necessary U.S. systems before the program is officially activated.
While this is a strictly technical mission, a meeting with the deputy chief of police is on the agenda. No meetings with senior Cypriot officials are expected.
What’s Next?
Once the team confirms compliance with the action plan, they are expected to recommend Cyprus’ entry into the VWP to the U.S. Congress. From there, a three-month adjustment period will follow to integrate Cyprus into the necessary U.S. systems before the program is officially activated.
The key government departments involved, ranging from the Deputy Ministry to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice, and Immigration, have already passed all the required legislation. Two major security agreements have also been signed and ratified by Parliament to facilitate the exchange of information between the two governments.
One of the final legal steps was the ratification of the "Implementing Agreement on Enhancing Cooperation to Prevent and Combat Serious Crime," signed in Nicosia in July 2024. This agreement stems from a broader pact between Cyprus and the U.S. dating back to 2015 and is considered a vital condition for entry into the Visa Waiver Program.
What This Means for Cypriot Travelers
Once Cyprus officially joins the program, its citizens will be able to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without needing a traditional visa. Instead, they will apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), just like nationals from most other EU countries.
The ESTA is a simple online application required at least 72 hours before departure and is valid for two years for multiple entries. It allows for short-term travel to the U.S. for tourism, business, or medical reasons, eliminating the often lengthy visa process.
For Cyprus, joining the VWP is not just about convenience—it’s a milestone that underscores growing trust and closer cooperation with the United States, particularly in matters of security and international law enforcement.
*This article waas translated from its Greek original
