A senior delegation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) met Cypriot officials in Nicosia late on 23 July to assess the island’s bid to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), according to Cyprus Tourism Times’ executive briefing. Discussions focused on biometric passport issuance, information-sharing via INTERPOL and the forthcoming EU Entry/Exit System that Cyprus will adopt upon Schengen accession. Cyprus has satisfied two of the VWP’s key technical pillars—e-passport rollout and lost-passport reporting—but still exceeds the 3 % refusal-rate threshold for B-category visitor visas, standing at roughly 4.2 % for FY 2025. Interior Ministry sources said the government will launch an outreach campaign to improve applicant profiles and tighten document-fraud detection, aiming to cut refusals below 3 % by mid-2027. For Cypriot corporates and multinationals with regional hubs in Limassol or Nicosia, VWP entry would be a game-changer, allowing staff to travel to the United States visa-free for up to 90 days on business or tourism using the ESTA system. Travel-policy managers are advised to map processes now—including safeguarding personal data under U.S. CBP pre-clearance rules—so they can pivot quickly if Cyprus is admitted. Analysts estimate that VWP membership could boost bilateral trade by 5–7 % within three years, mirroring gains seen when Croatia joined in 2021. Airlines are also eyeing direct connectivity: industry sources say negotiations are under way for a seasonal Larnaca–New York service contingent on VWP approval. The DHS visit comes as Cyprus accelerates its own path toward full Schengen membership; both dossiers reinforce Nicosia’s push to brand the island as a frictionless gateway between the EU, Middle East and the U.S. A follow-up audit is expected in Q1 2027.
Source: Cyprus Tourism Times
