VISA INFORMATION

Cyprus is not yet a full member of the Schengen area and therefore does not issue Schengen visas. The Cyprus visa is only valid for Cyprus and exceptionally for Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania.  

Even though Cyprus isn’t a part of the Schengen Area yet, it has adopted the same visa requirements as Schengen countries. This means that if you are exempt from a Schengen visa, you are also exempt from a Cyprus visa.

Cyprus is part of the European Union, which means that nations of all other EU Member States can freely enter Cyprus without a visa. Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (who form the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)) are also allowed to enter Cyprus visa-free.

A visa is an entry permit for a short stay (up to 90 days) issued to foreign nationals who wish to enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the airports of Larnaka (Larnaca) and Pafos (Paphos) and the ports of Larnaka (Larnaca), Lemesos (Limassol), Latsi and Pafos (Paphos), which are situated in the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport in which the Government of the Republic does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied areas) is illegal.

As a general rule, it is always advisable to contact the Diplomatic Mission where the applicant would like to submit his/her application in advance to receive applicable information and details.  

Applications must be submitted at least 15 days prior to departure.

1. Do I need a visa to visit Cyprus?

            Find out here 

Exceptions:

• EU Nationals – EU nationals do not require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Cyprus. Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (who form the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)) are also allowed to enter Cyprus visa-free.

• Holders of Schengen visa – If you already have a valid multiple Schengen visa, do not need Cyprus visa (There is an exception to the rule, which concerns the citizens of the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan who need to be issued a national Cyprus visa to visit Cyprus).

• Holders of Residence Permit of any EU Member State – Do not require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Cyprus

• Cyprus Visa Exemptions for Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania** – Cyprus along with Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania* are EU member states that have not been accepted into the Schengen Area yet. However, the four countries have an agreement which allows visa-holders of one of those countries to enter any of the others without having to apply for a separate visa. This means that if you have a short-stay visa or a residence permit for Bulgaria, Croatia or Romania, then you can enter Cyprus without having to apply for a separate Cyprus visa.

*  There is an exception to the rule, which concerns the citizens of the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan who need to be issued a national Cyprus visa to visit Cyprus.
** In accordance to the decision of the European Parliament №565 / 2014 introducing a simplified regime for the control of persons at the external borders based on the unilateral recognition by Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania.

• Holders of United Nations laissez-passer

• Holders of Council of Europe laissez-passer

• Steps for Application Process:
  1. Apply for a visa in your country of residence – Find the Cyprus embassy/consulate or visa application center (authorized by the Cypriot authorities) in which you must submit your application.
  2. Find out about the entry requirements.
  3. Complete your visa application.
  4. Contact them to make an appointment.
  5. Collect the required documents.
  6. Submit the application along with the required (supporting) documents on the date of your appointment.
  7. Pay the visa fee.
  8. Wait for the visa to be processed.
  9. Pick up your passport and documents. If your application was successful, the embassy/consular staff will affix your visa to your passport. If your application has been refused you will be notified in writing with the reasons of the refusal.

• Where can I find the Cyprus visa application form?

You can find the Cyprus Visa Application Form:

1. on the websites of the Cyprus Embassies/Consulates or
2. at the authorized visa application centers (if there is one in the country where the foreign national legally resides).  

• Submission of the application

Foreign nationals submit their visa applications in person:

1. at a Cyprus Embassy/Consulate, if there is one in the country where the foreign national legally resides or at the most easily accessible Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of Cyprus
2. at an Authorized Visa Application Centre

A visa application must be submitted at least 15 calendar days and no more than six months before the intended visit.

The Visa Sections of the Diplomatic Mission (Embassy/ Consulate) of the Republic of Cyprus are responsible for receiving, processing applications and for issuing visas to foreign nationals who wish to visit Cyprus

List of Embassies/Consulates by country

• Cooperation with External Service Providers (visa application centers)

External Service Providers are private companies that have been established to provide administrative support to the Embassy/Consulate for the successful submission of applications of visas.

In order to facilitate visa applicants, and to provide a better and quicker service, some Cyprus Diplomatic Missions, accepting visa application forms through the authorized External Service Providers specialized in providing visa services.

Thus, visa application forms could be submitted through an authorized external service provider at the Visa Application Centers situated in the following countries and cities:

If you apply through a visa application center, you will also have to pay an additional service fee.

• What supporting documents are required when applying for a Cyprus visa?

In order to apply for a visa, you need:

•  Application form – Fully completed and signed.

•  Passport – Issued within the past 10 years (less than 10 years old), valid for at least 3 months after the expiration of your requested visa and containing at least two empty pages.

• One recent photograph – passport-sized taken within the last three (3) months

• Visa application fee – €20 for a single entry

Note: Exception for all Government delegations and Organizations that funded by the Republic of Cyprus under the agreement of the UNECE with the Republic of Cyprus.

• Proof of purpose of travel

– Signed invitation letter from the organizing authority of the event (National Secretariat) and,
–Registration from UN INDICO system

• Proof of Accommodation – A document through which you prove to the Cyprus embassy/consulate where you will be staying during your trip in Cyprus, i.e. a hotel booking. 

• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence – recent bank account statements during the last three months (bank statements must show the name and address of the owner.

Note: exception for all the Government delegations and Organizations of the UN, that funded by the Republic of Cyprus under the UNECE agreement with the Republic of Cyprus

• Flight itinerary (round trip reservation)  – It must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Republic of Cyprus. The ticket should be bought only after the visa has been issued.

• Proof of employment – Reference letter from the employer addressed to the Embassy or Consulate which includes information about the trip, such as, purpose of travel, job title, duration of stay etc.

Note: exception – all Government delegations and organizations that funded by the Republic of Cyprus under the UNECE agreement with the Republic of Cyprus.

• Travel medical insurance (for your entire stay in Cyprus) – minimum coverage €30,000 – valid for Cyprusfor the whole period of the intended stay. The insurance policy must cover the costs for repatriation in case of disease, urgent medical expenses and/or hospitalization

Note: Holders of Diplomatic passport do not need travel medical insurance.

Important Information

• The Embassy/Consulate of Cyprus reserves the right to request additional documents.
• Only duly filled out, dated and signed forms as well as complete visa applications will be accepted.
• The documents must be translated into English.
  
  

Admissibility of the visa application

A visa application is admissible when the following conditions are met:

1. the application is lodged at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit but not earlier than six months before the start of the intended visit;
2. the applicant has submitted a signed application form;
3. the applicant has presented a valid travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visas and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;
4. the applicant has submitted a photograph (35×45 mm);

If the above conditions are not met, the visa application is not admissible and the Embassy/consulate shall not accept it.

List of Participants

All delegations are requested, prior of the submission of the visa application, to send to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a list of the participants.

Visa processing time  

The processing time for a visa depends on several factors, including the country you’re applying from, the time of year, as well as your specific situation.

Expect to wait at least 5-15 working days for a visa, and maybe even longer.

Ever since the illegal Turkish invasion of July 1974, 36% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus remains unlawfully occupied by the Turkish army (you may read more about it here). As a result of this, the government of the Republic of Cyprus which is the sole legal and internationally recognized government on the island, is not in a position to exercise effective control over the occupied areas of its territory.

If you intend to travel to Cyprus, you should be aware that the so-called “trnC”, the secessionist entity unilaterally declared by the occupation regime, has been condemned and declared illegal and invalid by the International Community through United Nations Security Council Resolutions 541/83 and 550/84.

Currently, and subject to any temporary COVID-related restrictions, it is possible for foreign visitors who visit the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, to cross to the occupied areas.

You should be aware, however, that staying in properties owned by Greek Cypriot refugees who have been forced by the occupation army to flee, including hotels in the occupied area which are being illegally exploited, would put you at risk of possible legal action on the part of the owners.

Travelers entering the Republic of Cyprus via any illegally operating airport or port in the occupied area that has been declared closed in accordance with International Law, will be in breach of national legislation of the Republic of Cyprus. You are therefore urged to travel via the legal points of entry to the Republic of Cyprus, so as to avoid the risk of facing the consequences of the law.

The legal points of entry to the Republic of Cyprus are the international airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the ports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos, which are situated in the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Entry to the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport in the area of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied area) is illegal.

Please contact: The Schengen Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Nicos Vasiliou

tel.: +357 22 651168

email: nvasiliou@mfa.gov.cy