AmCham Cyprus calls for stronger US ties through visa-free travel, tax treaty and direct flights

Nicosia, Cyprus. The American Chamber of Commerce in Cyprus (AmCham Cyprus) has called for closer economic, commercial and strategic ties with the United States, proposing five measures including visa-free travel, a modernised tax treaty and direct flights.

Policy priorities for bilateral cooperation

In its latest policy paper, titled “Strengthening Cyprus-United States Bilateral Relations”, the chamber said its recommendations aimed to build on what it described as substantial progress in relations in recent years.

The paper focuses on investment, business links, mobility, security and people-to-people exchanges.

“Cyprus and the United States have entered a period of accelerated strategic cooperation, marked by shared interests in security, economic development, energy, technology, and regional stability,” the paper states.

It identifies five key policy priorities to consolidate that progress and unlock the full potential of the bilateral partnership.

Visa Waiver Programme accession

The first priority is Cyprus’ accession to the US Visa Waiver Programme. AmCham Cyprus noted that the country had recorded a visa-refusal rate of 2.16 per cent, below the programme’s three per cent threshold.

The chamber said Cyprus had also upgraded biometric passports, strengthened digital data-sharing capabilities and taken legislative steps to enhance security cooperation. The paper described the visa-refusal rate and improvements to passport and security data-sharing systems as meeting crucial programme criteria.

“A new US-Cyprus Strategic Dialogue establishes VWP progress as a top bilateral priority and sets the framework for final evaluations by US authorities,” the paper states.

Benefits for business and exchanges

AmCham Cyprus said visa-free travel would remove administrative barriers to business, tourism, academic and cultural exchanges. It would also make Cyprus more attractive to US investors and companies considering regional headquarters, the chamber said.