Cypriot nationals are a step closer to enjoying visa-free travel to the United States through the US Visa Waiver Program, designed to facilitate movement for nationals of participating countries. This development follows a meeting between the Cypriot Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where the two nations agreed on a timetable to launch their Strategic Dialogue, as reported by Schengen.News.
The agreed-upon plan includes annual meetings in both the US and Cyprus, with the inaugural consultations scheduled to take place in Nicosia this September. Once implemented, the Visa Waiver Program will allow Cypriot citizens to travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or business purposes. Currently, Cypriots, along with Bulgarians and Romanians, must obtain a B-type visa to enter the US.
Strengthening US-Cyprus Diplomatic Relations
Joining the US Visa Waiver Program will bolster Cyprus’s political, economic, social, and cultural ties with the United States, opening new avenues for American investments on the Mediterranean island and creating more opportunities for Cypriots. It will also enhance collaboration in critical sectors such as security and energy. Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria are the only Schengen member candidates yet to join the visa-free program.
Romania, like Cyprus, is also nearing eligibility for visa-free US travel, with security agreements being a significant hurdle, as noted by the Romanian ambassador to the US.
Visa Statistics and Trends
In 2023, the US Department of State issued 5,537 visas to Cypriot nationals, reflecting a 50% increase from 2022 but an 8.5% decrease from 2019, before COVID-19 travel restrictions. Schengen Visa Statistics indicate that over 163,000 visas were granted to US applicants in 2023, with the US maintaining one of the highest visa approval rates in the Schengen Area.