Cyprus, this Mediterranean island rich in history and picturesque landscapes, aspires to join the select club of countries benefiting from thevisa exemption American. While the Qatar recently marked a turning point by becoming the first Gulf country to obtain this precious authorisation, Cyprus is redoubling its efforts to convince the American authorities of its reliability. With initiatives such as the recently signed bilateral agreement on the sharing of traveller information, the Cypriot state is seeking to strengthen its position on the international stage and facilitate trade and tourism with the United States.
While the Qatar is preparing to enter the highly prized circle of countries benefiting from the US Visa Waiver Programme, Cyprus is positioning itself as a serious candidate to join this scheme in a few years' time. This project comes with a number of challenges, not least the visa refusal rate and border security. Let's explore Nicosia's ambitions and the potential implications of this exemption.
Cyprus' ambitions
The Cypriot government has made no secret of its intentions: to join the US visa waiver programme by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. This ambition reflects a strong desire to boost trade and tourism between Cyprus and the United States. Indeed, going visa-free would greatly facilitate travel for both business people and tourists, thereby increasing economic opportunities.
A crucial agreement on information sharing
To strengthen its chances of integration, Cyprus took a decisive step last June by signing a bilateral agreement on the sharing of traveller information. This partnership, which was recently ratified by Parliament in Nicosia, marks an important step towards closer ties with the American authorities. The new agreement provides for a system for exchanging data on passengers considered to be at risk, a crucial aspect in meeting US security requirements.
Obstacles to overcome
However, the road to visa-free travel is not without its pitfalls. The main obstacle remains the visa refusal rate, which must fall below the 3% to hope to obtain this exemption. Cyprus still had a refusal rate of 4,48% the previous year. Although this figure has improved, it is still insufficient in the eyes of the American authorities, who are keeping a close eye on it.
The challenges of border security
Another major challenge concerns border security and travel documents. The United States requires rigorous guarantees, which means that Cyprus must prepare for the installation of biometric passports and a strengthening of its border control systems. With a relatively small surface area and a complex history, Cyprus faces a major security challenge.
The benefits of a visa waiver
The potential benefits of such a visa waiver are significant. It would boost trade exchange and increase tourism, two important pillars of the Cypriot economy. Businessmen would be able to travel to the United States without the administrative hassle of visas, which could encourage investment between the two countries. This dynamic could transform the economic landscape, offering positive spin-offs for a variety of sectors.
Increased competition from other countries
But Cyprus is not alone in this quest. Other European countries, such as Romania and the BulgariaIn addition, a number of other countries are also in the running for visa exemption. Romania already seems to have a head start, with its ambassador recently announcing that his country could join the programme by March or April 2025. This situation creates a tight competition, with each country having to prove its reliability to the United States.
The complexity of the geopolitical situation
Finally, Cyprus' delicate geopolitical situation further complicates these ambitions. The division of the island raises concerns about border security, making it even more difficult to negotiate a visa waiver agreement. The US authorities have to consider how to guarantee the security of a divided country, and this may act as a brake on Cypriot aspirations.
Comparison of integration into the US Visa Waiver Programme
| Country | Application status |
|---|---|
| Qatar | Integration confirmed on 1 December 2024 |
| Cyprus | Ambitious targets for late 2024 or early 2025 |
| Romania | Announced for March or April 2025 |
| Bulgaria | Application awaiting assessment |
| Conditions for refusal | Refusal rate under 3% required |
| Bilateral partnerships | Enhanced information-sharing agreements for Cyprus |
| Border security | Improvements needed to meet US standards |
| Economic impact | Visa exemption promotes tourism and trade |
| Competition | Competing races between several European countries |
| Geopolitical situation | Complex, may slow Cypriot progress |
An agency service 