Malta and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding for Malta to form part of the US Visa Waiver Programme.
The MoU was signed by Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro and marks the first step for Maltese citizens to eventually be able to travel to the United States without requiring a visa.
Ministry officials explained that Malta is expected to meet US requirements for eligibility to the visa waiver programme by the end of this year, following the introduction of biometric passports.
Last week the ambassador also announced that Malta and the US are shortly expected to formally sign a double taxation avoidance agreement.
The double taxation agreement and the visa issue have been the subject of talks between the United States and Malta for a number of years.