Qatar joins the prestigious club of countries benefiting from the U.S. visa waiver program. This historic announcement makes the small emirate the first Gulf country to join this coveted scheme. From December 1, 2024, Qataris will be able to travel across the Atlantic without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. A boon for businessmen and tourists from the rich gas state.
But Qatar is not the only one eyeing this sesame. Cyprus has been knocking on the door for years, and is redoubling its efforts to convince Washington.. The Mediterranean island took a decisive step forward last June when it signed a bilateral agreement on the sharing of passenger information. The text, ratified in July by the Cypriot ParliamentThe European Commission's proposal for a European Airline Passenger Information System (EAPIS) provides for the exchange of data on passengers deemed to be at risk.
The Nicosia government makes no secret of its ambition: join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program by late 2024 or early 2025. An ambitious timetable that testifies to the determination of the Cypriot authorities. But the road ahead is long and full of pitfalls.
The main obstacle? The visa refusal rate, which has to fall below 3% in order to obtain the precious sesame. Last year, Cyprus still had a rate of 4.48%.
A marked improvement, but still insufficient in Washington's eyes. American consular services are keeping a close eye on this key indicator.
Another point of vigilance border and travel document security. The United States is demanding draconian guarantees in this area. In particular, Cyprus must equip itself with ultra-secure biometric passports and reinforce its border controls. A colossal undertaking for this small, divided island.
Is it worth the effort? Without a doubt. Visa exemption boosts trade and tourism considerably. Cypriot businessmen will be able to travel to the United States without red tape. And it could boost cross-investment between the two countries.
Here's a table showing passenger flows before and after the addition of certain countries to the Group. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) :
| Country | Year added to VWP | Number of passengers before VWP | Reference year before VWP | Number of passengers after VWP | Reference year after VWP | Growth in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 2008 | 800 000 | 2007 | 1.1 million | 2010 | +37,5% |
| Chile | 2014 | 200 000 | 2013 | 300 000 | 2015 | +50% |
| Poland | 2019 | 150 000 | 2018 | 230 000 | 2021 | +53% |
| Greece | 2010 | 160 000 | 2009 | 250 000 | 2012 | +56,25% |
But Cyprus is not alone in the race. Other European countries such as Romania and the Bulgaria are also eyeing the visa waiver program. A fierce competition is underway between these contenders, as each seeks to convince Washington of its reliability.
Romania seems to be one step ahead. The Romanian ambassador to the United States recently announced that his country would join the program in March or April 2025.. An announcement which caused Nicosia to cringe. The Cypriot authorities fear that Romania will be the next to beat them to the punch.
To make matters worse, Cyprus's complex geopolitical situation could put the brakes on its ambitions. The partition of the island remains a headache for Washington. How can we guarantee the security of the borders of a country where a third of the territory is outside the control of the legitimate government? A thorn in the side of Cypriot negotiators.
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