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Cyprus Nears US Visa Waiver Program As Refusal Rate Drops Below 3%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 28, 2024

Cyprus has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to join the US Visa Waiver Program, with the 2024 visa refusal rate for Cypriot citizens reported at just 2.16%. This figure, announced by the US Department of State, is well below the program’s required threshold of 3%, marking a crucial step toward visa-free travel for Cypriots.

Progress Towards Inclusion

Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, highlighted the importance of this development, stating that Cyprus has met a “key prerequisite” for its inclusion in the program. She credited the progress to successful technical consultations between Cyprus and the United States over the past year.

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Piki reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing Cyprus’ inclusion in the program by 2025, allowing Cypriots to travel to the US for tourism and business without the need for a visa.

Support from US Officials

US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher, also acknowledged the milestone, describing it as a significant step forward. She expressed optimism that Cypriots would soon enjoy the benefits of visa-free travel to the US.

What’s Next?

The Cypriot government plans to continue its focused efforts to meet all remaining requirements, ensuring the process stays on track. This achievement underscores the growing cooperation between Cyprus and the US, paving the way for stronger ties and easier travel.

As Cyprus moves closer to this goal, the prospect of visa-free access to the US represents an important development for both business and leisure travellers.

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University Of Nicosia Ranked In The Global Top 600 In THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026

by News Editor

July 6, 2026

UNIC placed in the 401-600 band worldwide, strengthened its position among universities in Cyprus and Greece, and recorded standout results in SDG 10, SDG 11 and SDG 17

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The University of Nicosia (UNIC) has earned another important international distinction in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, ranking in the 401-600 band globally among 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories evaluated across 17 individual SDG tables and one overall ranking.

This result places UNIC in the global Top 600 and reinforces the University’s standing as one of the region’s most internationally engaged higher education institutions. Based on the published results, UNIC is one of the universities from Cyprus and Greece to secure a place within this band, underlining both its regional strength and its growing international visibility.

UNIC’s strongest performances in this year’s results were recorded in SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, where it ranked in the 101-200 band globally. It also achieved a 301-400 result in SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Particularly significant was UNIC’s strong result in SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, an indicator that carries special weight in the overall methodology of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings. This performance highlights the University’s growing capacity to build meaningful academic, research, and societal partnerships that create measurable impact at both local and international level.

Commenting on the result, the Rector of the University of Nicosia, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas, said:

“This is a highly significant result for the University of Nicosia and one that we are proud to share. Our placement in the global Top 600 of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 reflects the University’s sustained commitment to meaningful impact through education, research, outreach, and collaboration. Our particularly strong performance in Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Partnerships for the Goals demonstrates the values that define UNIC as a modern, outward-looking university, committed to contributing in practical ways to society and to the global sustainability agenda.”

Among the universities from Cyprus, UNIC is one of the universities included in the global Top 600, while across Cyprus and Greece it stands among the universities recognised for strong performance in this year’s sustainability-focused results. This positioning adds further weight to UNIC’s profile as a university that combines academic quality with social contribution and international engagement.

For the University of Nicosia, this latest recognition marks another important step in its continuing international development, highlighting the strength of its academic environment, the breadth of its partnerships, and the increasing impact of its contribution to sustainable progress.