The announcement by the U.S. Department of State that the visa rejection rate for Cypriot citizens has dropped to 2.16% for 2024 marks another "critical step" toward Cyprus's inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, according to Deputy Minister to the President, Irini Piki.

In a post on "X", Ms. Piki stated that a major prerequisite for Cyprus’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program has been fulfilled. She emphasized that, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of State, the visa rejection rate for Cypriots has fallen below the 3% threshold, reaching 2.16%.

"Today's announcement represents another critical step toward the inclusion of our country in the Visa Waiver Program and underscores the significant progress made by the Cypriot Government, particularly over the past year, in the technical consultations between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States," Ms. Piki noted.

She added, "We remain focused on achieving Cyprus's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program as soon as possible, aiming for completion within 2025. We will continue to work methodically toward this goal so that Cypriot citizens can soon travel to the U.S. for tourism and business purposes without the need for a visa."

Separately, U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher, also shared the news on "X," highlighting that the 2.16% visa rejection rate is "a critical milestone that brings Cyprus one step closer to joining the Visa Waiver Program and enabling visa-free travel to the U.S. for Cypriots."