Visa-free travel to the US? Cyprus reaches the final stretch

Cyprus has taken another step towards joining the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). A US Department of Homeland Security delegation, led by Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Planning Rob Lowe, arrived on the island for a two-day visit. Its main objective is to assess how ready the republic is to meet Washington’s remaining requirements.

For the island’s residents, this is more than just another diplomatic visit. If the process is completed successfully, travel to the US will become faster, cheaper and no longer require visas.

Visa-free travel was promised last year. Why is it still not in place?

Talk of Cyprus joining the program began back in 2019, but real progress only started in the summer of 2024. At the time, Nicosia and Washington signed an agreement on exchanging airline passenger data, which parliament quickly ratified. The authorities expected to launch visa-free travel by early 2025, but the deadline was unexpectedly pushed back — without any official explanation.

During the current visit, the US delegation discussed border security, combating illegal migration and further cooperation between the two countries with Cypriot officials.

What still separates Cyprus from visa-free travel?

The republic has already met the main US requirements. The refusal rate for US visas is just around 2.16% — well below the permitted threshold of 3%. Biometric passports are in use, passenger data (PNR) is transmitted to US authorities, and joint counterterrorism exercises have become routine.

What remains is to finalize an agreement on the deployment of US air marshals on flights to the United States — armed federal agents who ensure security on board — and agree on guarantees for the protection of personal data.

After that, the US Department of Homeland Security will audit airports, seaports and the passport-issuing system. If the inspection is completed successfully, only a formal procedure will remain: notification of Congress and publication of the final decision. This usually takes several more months.

What will change for Cypriots?

At present, Cypriot citizens need a B-1/B-2 visa to travel to the US, which requires paying a consular fee, scheduling an interview and waiting for a decision.

Once Cyprus joins the program, the visa will be replaced by an electronic ESTA authorization, already used by citizens of most EU countries. This will save travelers around €160 and spare them several weeks of waiting.

According to the US Embassy, Cyprus’s application remains under consideration. If the final checks go ahead without further delays, the long-running story of US visas for Cypriots could come to an end in the near future.