During the week of April 13, an interagency team of subject matter experts will visit the Republic of Cyprus to conduct a technical visit.  The team will review security processes and operations as part of an ongoing evaluation of the stringent security requirements necessary for the Republic of Cyprus to enter into the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  

The VWP is a security partnership that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous by facilitating lawful travel to the United States.  Participation in the program provides tangible benefits to enhance economic and commercial ties and helps make international travel safer for all.  The VWP enables eligible citizens of designated countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less, without obtaining a visa.   

The program is open only to countries which have very low nonimmigrant visa refusal rates; issue secure travel documents; work closely with U.S. law enforcement, national security, and immigration authorities; and meet all other program requirements. 

The interagency team’s visit to Cyprus is a step in the U.S. Government’s established process for evaluating whether the Republic of Cyprus meets the requirements for VWP designation.