Procedures, documents, regulations and visa requirements to enter Cyprus

The below regulations are only applicable to enter Republic of Cyprus (South Cyprus, area only controlled by the Greek Cypriots)

Documents requirement for Cyprus Visa:

Original copy of a traveling Passport issued by the Government of the applicant.
Following applicants are exempted from the passport requirement;

1. Laissez-Passer issued by the U.N (United Nations).
2. Stateless people approval document and recognized refugees.
3. All citizens of European Union countries.
4. Citizens of of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, can use their respective National Identity card with a photo identification mentioned on the card.

Admission and transit restrictions:

Cyprus Government refuses the following documents for the entry of admission to Cyprus:

1. Passport holders of former  Republic of Yugoslav that contains a stamp “Macedonia”. Yugoslav nationals are only allowed with their National passport that does not contain the stamp above mentioned.
2. Passport holders of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Other nationalities with the visas or stamps of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in their passports are only permitted to entry Cyprus after the cancellation of the stamp by the Immigration Authorities of Republic of Cyprus.
3. No visa is required for those looking for employment in Cyprus. An approved application for an employment permit by the Migration Officer is necessary to enter Cyprus Republic.

Ports of Entry in to Cyprus:

There are two international airports in South Cyprus Both can be used as port of entry.

• Larnaca International Airport
• Paphos aArport
• Besides airways, Cyprus can be reached using sea routs. Entry via sea routs can be made by Paphos, Latsi, Larnaca, and port of Limassol.

Nationals of the below listed countries are bound to posses a legal Visa issued by the Consulate General of The Republic of Cyprus in their home countries. Please click on the country name to get consulate of Cyprus detail and the respective country consulate in Cyprus.

Bona fide Tourists from the following countries are exempted from the entry visa for Cyprus up to 90 days.

Also diplomatic and service passport holders of  China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Moldova, The Russian Federation, Ukraine and the Seychelles are exempted from the entry visa to Cyprus.

Visa Issue:

Entry Visas for Republic of Cyprus are only issued by the Embassies and General Consulates of the Republic of Cyprus. Please contact Embassy or General Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in your country for further detail before your travel to The Republic of Cyprus.

Northern Cyprus Visa Requirements:

Due to political changes in Europe region for the last few years, and by the accession of the Republic of Cyprus (South Cyprus) into the European Union on 1st May 2004, it became much easier to enter into the Island of Cyprus. However for many countries still encounter the limited options.
Australia, Azerbaijan, All members of the European Union, Canada, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Switzerland, Turkey and USA  do not require visa to enter the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

North Cyprus is not internationally recognized except by Turkey. Nationals of other countries not mentioned above are advised to check with the nearest Embassy of North Cyprus or Representative of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in their home countries if available. However the region is opened for all tourists. Due to the recent gates opened between the South Cyprus and North Cyprus, it became more easier to travel whole of the island in one tour. Tourists can move between both sides via dedicated gates. A paper visa form is filled and is inserted in your passport and is stamped on arrival or depart from North Cyprus to the Republic of Cyprus.

Northern Cyprus Entry Ports:

• Ercan Airport
• Girne (Kyrenia seaport)
• Gazi Magusa (Famagusta seaport)

Northern Cyprus Residency and Work Permit:

A tourist visa allows you to stay up to 3 months After arriving in the TRNC (the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ). Intending to stay for more than three months or to prolong your stay after the expiration of the 90 days tourist visa, you need to apply for a residential permit at local Immigration office.

Those wishing to work in North Cyprus, have to apply prior to the arrival in North Cyprus to the relative department and in case of approval, a work permit is issued to the applicant prior to the applicant's arrival in North Cyprus.

For more detail, please contact the nearest North Cyprus Embassy or Representative Office abroad.