The Cypriot government and the United States are moving from announcements to actions to implement their agreements. These actions demonstrate both sides’ determination to succeed. One of the priorities is the waiver of visa requirements for US travel.
Cyprus aims to achieve a visa rejection rate of less than 3% annually, a goal that still requires effort. Last year, the rejection rate for Cypriot visa applications to the US was 4.48%.
The government has set a target to join the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) by the end of the year or early 2025 at the latest. Last Thursday, the government submitted a bill to the House of Representatives to meet the requirements for Cyprus’ inclusion in the VWP.
The bill, titled “The Law Ratifying the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the United States of America on Cooperation Regarding the Use of Travel Information (Ratification) Act 2024,” was approved by the Cabinet on June 19 and authorised the Minister of Justice and Public Order to submit it to the House for enactment.
The bill aims to ratify the agreement signed in Washington on June 17, 2024, which establishes a framework for cooperation between the two countries in assessing, reviewing, and exchanging travel information. This agreement aims to identify individuals travelling internationally who may pose a security risk to either country.
What is the Visa Waiver Programme?
The Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows nationals of certain countries to travel to the US without a visa for tourism or business stays of 90 days or less, provided they meet specific requirements. The US Department of Homeland Security manages the programme.
According to US immigration law, a visa must be denied if the applicant cannot prove their eligibility either because the application does not meet the requirements of an established visa category or due to other ineligibility factors.
It should be noted that a country’s visa rejection rate is only one of the criteria considered for VWP eligibility. The VWP enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) approved before travel and meet all requirements. Most European countries are part of the VWP.
According to the Visa Waiver Programme Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, travellers in the following categories must obtain a visa before travelling to the US and are no longer eligible to travel under the VWP:
- Nationals of VWP countries who have travelled to or been present in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen since March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
- Nationals of VWP countries who have travelled to or been present in Cuba since January 12, 2021 (with limited exceptions for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
- Nationals of VWP countries are also nationals of Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria.
Currently, the citizens of the following countries can travel to the US under the VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Notably, from the European Union, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania are not part of the program.
What does Cyprus need to do to join the VWP?
A country must meet various requirements to be considered for the VWP, including:
- Enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the US.
- Issuance of electronic passports.
- A visitor (B) visa rejection rate of less than 3% (for initial designation).
- Timely reporting of both lost and stolen passports.
- Maintaining high standards of anti-terrorism measures, law enforcement, border control, and document security.
It is important to remember that the designation as a VWP country is at the discretion of the US government. This means meeting the VWP’s objective requirements does not guarantee a country will receive the designation.
On the other hand, according to statistical data, an increase in visa application rejections does not mean a country will be excluded from the VWP. For example, last year, Cyprus had a rejection rate of 4.48%, Greece 15.57%, France 10.11%, and the UK 14.69%.
Rejection rates for Cyprus
According to data collected, Cyprus managed to have a significantly low number of US entry rejections in 2023, with a rate of 4.48%. In 2022, the rejection rate was 6.22%, while in 2021, it was 15.09%, one of the highest rates since 2020 when the rate was 6.21%. In 2019, the rate was 2.78%, which opened a channel of communication and discussion for Cyprus’ potential inclusion in the VWP.
Independence day celebrations in a different context
This year’s US Independence Day celebrations in Cyprus took place in a different context. Both the President of Cyprus and the US Ambassador expressed satisfaction with the closeness between the two countries.
President Christodoulides highlighted the significant changes in US-Cyprus relations since 1960, noting key milestones like the 2018 Statement of Intent, the 2019 Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, the establishment of the CYCLOPS centre in 2021, and the initiation of the Strategic Dialogue in 2024. The “Amalthea” initiative is also a notable area of cooperation.
The US now views Cyprus as a strategic partner, not just as a “protectorate of Russian oligarchs.” US Ambassador Julie Fisher emphasised Cyprus’ stabilising role in a turbulent region and its contributions to regional stability.
Referring to the recent Strategic Dialogue inaugurated by the foreign ministers of both countries, Fisher stated that this dialogue is a tool for developing bilateral relations in areas such as trade, science and technology, security, education, and people-to-people relations, reflecting the deep value of Cyprus as a partner to the US.
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