A team of U.S. experts is currently in Cyprus to conduct what is seen as a crucial final on-the-ground assessment that could lead to the lifting of visa requirements for Cypriot citizens travelling to the United States for tourism or business.
This decision is considered a significant milestone, particularly for political reasons, as it would place Cyprus on the list of “safe countries” for Americans.
The timing of the U.S. experts’ visit is viewed as particularly important, coming on the heels of the President’s trip to the United States aimed at attracting investment to the country. Cyprus’s potential inclusion in the list of “safe countries” is expected to further facilitate efforts to attract American companies to invest in Cyprus.
There is cautious optimism in Nicosia that the on-site evaluation will not present any obstacles, as government sources indicate that the necessary criteria have been met. A key criterion highlighted is achieving the U.S. authorities’ target of a 3% visa application rejection rate annually. In 2024, the rejection rate for Cypriot visa applications to the U.S. was 2.16%.
The visit of the U.S. interagency team to Cyprus to conduct a technical evaluation of the country’s security procedures, as part of the ongoing consideration for potential inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), was announced on Monday in a press release by the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus. U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Julie S. Davis also shared the news on the social media platform “X”.
Press Release – U.S. Embassy Nicosia, April 13, 2025:
During the week of April 13, an interagency team of subject matter experts will visit the Republic of Cyprus to conduct a technical visit. The team will review security processes and operations as part of an ongoing…
— Julie S. Davis (@USAmbCy) April 13, 2025
According to the statement from the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, the team of specialists will assess the security procedures and operations of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Embassy noted that the VWP is “a security partnership that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous by facilitating lawful travel to the United States.” Participation in the programme, the press release added, offers tangible benefits in strengthening economic and trade relations and contributes to the security of international travel.
The programme allows eligible citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for stays of up to 90 days without needing a visa.
The Embassy also stated that the interagency team’s visit to Cyprus is a step in the U.S. government’s established evaluation process to determine whether the Republic of Cyprus meets the criteria for inclusion in the VWP. (incyprus)
