Key Takeaways:
- Cyprus aims to join the US Visa Waiver Programme by 2025, submitting a critical bill for travel information exchange.
- Joining allows Cypriots with e-passports to visit the US for 90 days visa-free, enhancing business and tourism travel.
- Cyprus, alongside Romania and Bulgaria, is progressing towards the US Visa Waiver, aiming for stronger bilateral relations and security.
What Steps Has Cyprus Taken Towards US Visa Waiver Programme Membership?
Cyprus is making significant strides in its journey to join the US Visa Waiver Programme by 2025. The Cypriot government has submitted a bill to the House of Representatives plenary, marking an essential step in the process. This bill aims to ratify an agreement signed between the US and Cyprus in June 2024, focusing on the exchange of travel information and risk assessments regarding individuals capable of terrorist acts.
What Will the Visa Waiver Programme Mean for Cypriots?
By joining the US Visa Waiver Programme, Cypriot citizens with an e-passport equipped with an electronic chip will be able to visit the United States for up to 90 days without needing a visa. This travel can be for business (B-1 visa) or tourism (B-2 visa). The move will eliminate the requirement for Cypriot travelers to apply at the US embassy or undergo face-to-face interviews.
Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the Cyprus government’s spokesperson, has emphasized that the goal is to join the US Visa Waiver Programme by the end of 2024 or early 2025. This initiative could allow Cypriots to start visiting the US visa-free in as little as six months from the ratification of the agreement.
How Does Cyprus Compare with Bulgaria and Romania in the Visa Waiver Process?
Alongside Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria are also in the process of joining the US Visa Waiver Programme. While Bulgaria and Romania have partially joined the Schengen Area, Cyprus is still working on meeting all the EU standards. These criteria are crucial for the country’s Schengen accession, which is a parallel objective to achieving the US visa waiver status.
How Many Visas Has the US Issued to Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria?
In 2023, the US issued 5,537 visas to Cypriot citizens, marking a 50.4 per cent increase compared to the previous year. For Romanian citizens, the number was significantly higher, with 60,474 visas granted, representing a 70 per cent increase. Interestingly, this number nearly matches the pre-pandemic levels of 60,482 visas in 2019, showcasing Romania’s robust travel relationship with the US.
Bulgarians were issued 20,601 US visas in 2023, reflecting a 46.8 per cent increase from 2022. While this number is still 8.5 per cent below the pre-pandemic levels of 22,517, it indicates a strong uptick in interest for US travel among Bulgarian citizens.
What Does the Strategic Dialogue Between Cyprus and US Entail?
Earlier this month, Cyprus and the US initiated their strategic dialogue. This dialogue is not only focused on the US Visa Waiver Programme but also aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. Key areas of cooperation include travel information exchange, risk assessments, and enhancing security protocols.
VisaVerge.com states that this strategic dialogue and the related agreement will foster closer cooperation between the two nations, potentially simplifying travel for Cypriots and contributing to greater security measures for both counties.
Where Can You Find More Information on the US Visa Waiver Programme?
For more detailed information on the US Visa Waiver Programme, you can visit the official US Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program page. This resource provides up-to-date information on the programme, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
Conclusion
The efforts by Cyprus to join the US Visa Waiver Programme by 2025 signify a significant improvement in travel relations between the two countries. The submission of a bill to the Cypriot House of Representatives and the strategic dialogue between the US and Cyprus underscore these intentions. This initiative, when successfully completed, will facilitate smoother and visa-free travel for Cypriots to the United States, marking a milestone in bilateral relations.
Learn Today:
Glossary
- US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)
A US government initiative that allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. - Electronic Passport (e-passport)
A passport containing an embedded electronic chip that holds biometric data of the passport holder, enhancing security and streamlining entry procedures at borders. - Schengen Area
A zone comprising 27 European countries that have abolished passports and other types of border control at their mutual borders, allowing for free and unrestricted movement of people. - B1/B2 Visa
Types of non-immigrant US visas allowing the holder to enter the United States temporarily for business purposes (B1) or for tourism, including visiting family or friends (B2). - Strategic Dialogue
A formal discussion process between two countries, in this case, Cyprus and the United States, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations through cooperation on issues such as security, travel, and information exchange.
This Article In A Nutshell:
Cyprus aims to join the US Visa Waiver Programme by 2025. The government has submitted a bill for ratification, focusing on travel information exchange and risk assessments. If successful, Cypriots could travel visa-free to the US, boosting tourism and business ties.
— By VisaVerge.com
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