Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has announced his intention to resolve all technical issues necessary for the country to join the Schengen area by the end of this year. Although Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004, it is still not part of the EU visa-free travel zone.
Christodoulides, speaking about the situation, noted that work on political and technical aspects will lead to achieving this goal. Joining the Schengen area, in his opinion, will help stimulate the growth of the tourism industry, which is important for the economic development of the country.
In July 2023, the Schengen Information System began operating in Cyprus, but the full assessment process for the bank in the Schengen area is ongoing. Cyprus and Ireland remain peculiar EU changes that are not part of the Schengen area, which was expanded in January 2025 by two new members - Romania and Bulgaria.
Christodoulides also announced his intention to abolish visa requirements for Cypriot citizens when traveling to the United States. The US mission is expected to visit Cyprus soon to discuss these issues. Cyprus spokesman Constantinos Letimbiotis expressed the opinion that the country is close to fulfilling the requirements of the US Visa Waiver Program and expressed hope that the goals for competitors in issuance will be achieved, namely by the end of 2024.
According to data for 2023, the visa refusal rate of Cyprus applications was 4.48 percent, which is in line with the three percent threshold for submission to the Visa Waiver Program.
Christodoulides, speaking about the situation, noted that work on political and technical aspects will lead to achieving this goal. Joining the Schengen area, in his opinion, will help stimulate the growth of the tourism industry, which is important for the economic development of the country.
In July 2023, the Schengen Information System began operating in Cyprus, but the full assessment process for the bank in the Schengen area is ongoing. Cyprus and Ireland remain peculiar EU changes that are not part of the Schengen area, which was expanded in January 2025 by two new members - Romania and Bulgaria.
Christodoulides also announced his intention to abolish visa requirements for Cypriot citizens when traveling to the United States. The US mission is expected to visit Cyprus soon to discuss these issues. Cyprus spokesman Constantinos Letimbiotis expressed the opinion that the country is close to fulfilling the requirements of the US Visa Waiver Program and expressed hope that the goals for competitors in issuance will be achieved, namely by the end of 2024.
According to data for 2023, the visa refusal rate of Cyprus applications was 4.48 percent, which is in line with the three percent threshold for submission to the Visa Waiver Program.
