Visa to Cyprus: who needs it, how to get it, cost

To develop tourism on the island, Cyprus has introduced fairly loyal visa laws. Which nationalities need a visa, and who can just buy a plane ticket and go to a Mediterranean island?

The Republic of Cyprus is a delightful Mediterranean island that welcomes millions of tourists every year. Gorgeous sunny beaches, countless historical sights, ancient monuments, gastronomic pleasures attract guests from all over the world.

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Who needs a Cyprus visa

The Republic of Cyprus is part of the European Union, which means that all citizens of other EU countries can travel to Cyprus without a visa. In addition, there is also a list of non-EU countries that also enjoy visa-free entry to Cyprus, provided that their stay is less than 90 days. Among them are the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and others.

You need a visa for Cyprus if you are from one of the following countries:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia , Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian National Authority, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra -Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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Types of Cypriot visas

Cyprus visas are divided into the following categories:

• Short term: for stays of less than 90 days. Also known as a tourist visa. Usually issued for multiple entries and allow the holder to stay in Cyprus for up to 90 days within a 180 day period. There are also multiple short-term visas to Cyprus, which are issued for up to a year. They are only available to foreigners who have a good reason for traveling so frequently to Cyprus (eg business trips). In particular cases, some may obtain a short-term visa to Cyprus for up to five years. Even in these cases, the stay in Cyprus cannot exceed 90 days within a six-month period.
• Long term: for stays over 90 days. The Cyprus Long Stay Visa is issued to non-EU residents who wish to enter Cyprus and stay for more than 90 days. For example, for work or study.
• Group: issued to those who travel and leave Cyprus as part of a group. Valid for no more than 30 days.
• Airport transit visa - for those who need to transfer to a plane at a Cypriot airport on their way to another country.
• Transit visa for foreigners - for those who need to pass through the territory of Cyprus on their way to another country.

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What documents are needed to obtain a visa to Cyprus

The documents required when applying for a Cypriot visa depend on the nationality and the specific type of visa. However, there is a set of standard documents that every applicant must have:

• Application for a Cypriot visa.
• Passport or other travel document valid for at least three months after you leave Cyprus with at least two blank pages.
• Photos for the passport.
• Proof of residence in Cyprus (booking a hotel, renting a house).
• Confirmation of sufficient financial resources.
• Travel itinerary or air ticket.
• Visa fee payment.

The application must be submitted in person, unless the consulate or embassy is more than 200 km away. In this case, you can apply by mail, but enclose a self-addressed prepaid envelope so that the consulate can return the documents.

If you apply in person, you must pick up the documents yourself.

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How long does it take to get a Cyprus visa?

A Cyprus visa is issued within at least 5-10 working days, but depending on the specific case, it may take longer.

It is recommended to apply as soon as possible before the intended trip, but not earlier than three months.

The cost of a visa to Cyprus

You must pay the Cypriot visa fee when you apply. The visa fee is non-refundable even if the visa application is rejected.

How long can you stay in Cyprus on a tourist visa?

A Cyprus visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day period, but may be issued for a shorter period. Visiting days can be divided, but the total number of days you spend in Cyprus cannot exceed the number of days provided for by the visa.

If you have a multiple-entry Cypriot visa valid for 1 to 5 years, the same requirements apply: you can stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days every six months.

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Is it possible to extend the Cypriot visa?

Yes, short stay visa holders are allowed to apply for a visa extension, but they must do so before their current visa expires.

In order to extend your Cypriot visa, you must apply to the local immigration office in Cyprus. If your visa states that it is “final”, you must obtain permission from the Schengen and Consular Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Is Cyprus part of the Schengen?

No, even though Cyprus is a member of the EU, it has not yet been accepted into the Schengen area. It is expected that Cyprus, along with Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, will join the Schengen area free of border controls.

However, if you have a valid Schengen visa, you can still enter the territory of Cyprus, provided that you have not yet exhausted your days.

Is it possible to visit the Schengen area with a Cypriot visa?

No, as Cyprus has not yet joined the Schengen area. And you cannot enter any Schengen country if you only have a Cypriot visa in your passport.

However, the Cypriot visa allows the holder to enter Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania.

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Visiting Northern Cyprus

Although they have a similar name, the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus (officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) are not the same.

The Republic of Cyprus is an EU country, while Northern Cyprus is a self-declared country recognized only by Turkey.

Thus, the visa requirements for Northern Cyprus are different from those for the southern part.

If you intend to stay only for up to 90 days, then you do not need a visa for Northern Cyprus (except Armenia or Nigeria). You can enter Northern Cyprus via air, sea or land. If you are traveling by plane, you can only connect via Turkey, as this is the only country where flights are operated from. But if you enter Northern Cyprus first, you will not be able to enter the Republic of Cyprus without a valid visa.

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Cyprus has very loyal visa laws - this is one of the reasons for its popularity among tourists. Therefore, obtaining a visa to Cyprus is quite easy.