Cyprus optimistic about visa-free travel to US by early 2025

The government expressed optimism about achieving visa-free travel to the United States by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis pointed to the agreement signed during the Cypriot Foreign Minister’s US visit, signifying the final stages of Cyprus’ inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Programme.

This programme would allow Cypriot passport holders to travel to the US without a visa.

The remaining hurdle is a technical requirement, Letymbiotis explained.

The US programme requires a visa rejection rate below 3% for participating countries. Letymbiotis noted Cyprus’ progress in meeting this target, with rejections close to the threshold last year, and expressed hope of achieving it this year.

“That is, out of 100 applications made by Cypriot passport holders, fewer than three should be rejected. Last year we were very close to the target, and we hope that this year we will be able to reach the target. What remains is an agreement that needs to be signed, and we hope that this will happen very soon,” he said.

The Deputy Minister to the President, coordinating efforts for programme inclusion, is preparing data for submission to the US, he said.

“Once this data is submitted, there will be a period of about three months for the US to evaluate acceptance or rejection of the percentage. So, the goal for the end of 2024 or early 2025 is absolutely achievable, and it is a goal that was set from the very first moment this government took office,” Letymbiotis added.

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