The Cypriot parliament has begun considering a US request for access to biometric data held by local police to identify suspects in serious crimes.
This is a precondition for the introduction of a visa-free regime between the two states.
It should be noted that if the Cypriot MPs decide in favour, the US will not have direct access to the Cypriot databases, but will be able to request the verification of specific individuals on the basis of biometric data.
It is recalled that on 17 June representatives of the Cypriot and US governments signed an intergovernmental agreement on the exchange of travel information, including a risk assessment of persons whose entry is considered dangerous for either country.
The main aim of the cooperation is to allow Cypriot passport holders to travel to the US without a visa. A specific bill has been drafted and needs to be approved by the legislature. If passed by the end of 2024, Cyprus will be included in the Visa Waiver Programme as early as 2025.
It should be noted that Cyprus is currently one of the three European countries, along with Bulgaria and Romania, that does not have such an agreement with the United States. The agreement includes the exchange of near real-time travel information between the two countries, with a commitment to confidentiality and the use of data only to identify security threats or to enforce the law. As part of the agreement, the US is expected to provide Cyprus with free software to collect and analyse passenger data.
Cyprus is expected to benefit greatly from the exchange of information as it will strengthen its position against threats such as organised crime, drug trafficking and terrorism. The system will also provide mutual updates on suspicious travellers.
Under the Visa Waiver Programme, Cypriots who have obtained a passport with an embedded electronic chip will be able to request permission to travel to the US for up to 90 days on a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa directly at the airport upon arrival. It is worth noting that this innovation does not remove the visa requirement for Cypriot tourists, but it does eliminate the need to apply in advance and undergo a personal interview with a US consular officer on the island before travelling.