Cyprus Visa
Do you need a visa to visit Cyprus?
Find your nearest Cyprus Embassy.
Cyprus is not yet a member of the Schengen Area as of June 2025. The government aims to complete all technical requirements by the end of 2025, with formal Schengen accession expected in 2026. Until then, Cyprus maintains its own national visa policy. Entry to Cyprus does not count towards your Schengen stay, and vice versa.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Cyprus?
Your visa requirement depends on your nationality and purpose of visit:
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: Enter Cyprus with a valid ID card or passport, no visa required.
Visa-exempt countries: Many nationalities (including UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most EU/EEA/Schengen members) can visit Cyprus visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business, or family visits.
Non-exempt countries: If your country is not on the visa-free list, you must apply for a Cyprus visa in advance at a Cypriot embassy or consulate.
Biometric passport holders: Some countries’ biometric passport holders are visa-exempt; check with the Cyprus embassy for details.
Important:
Time spent in Cyprus does not count towards your Schengen 90-day limit, and vice versa, until Cyprus officially joins the Schengen Area.
Holders of valid double- or multiple-entry Schengen visas (Type C) can enter Cyprus for short stays, but this is a national policy and subject to change.
Entry into Cyprus (2025 Conditions)
- No health declaration required for entry.
- Local authorities can provide updates on any changes to border protocols.
Visa Application Requirements
To apply for a Cyprus visa, you’ll need:
- Valid passport (at least 3 months beyond intended stay)
- Completed Cyprus visa application form
- Passport-sized photos (per visa standards)
- Proof of legal residence (if applying from a third country)
- Flight itinerary or tickets
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Accommodation confirmation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
- Employment, education, or business documents (if applicable)
Processing time for Cyprus visas
Processing time: 5–10 business days (short-stay visas); 10–15 business days for multi-entry or long-term visas
Appointment waiting times
Apply early: Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before travel; embassy appointments may take 2–3 weeks to schedule.
Cyprus visa types
Cyprus Visa Types
- Airport Transit Visa: For changing flights in Cyprus, required for some nationalities.
- Transit Visa: For land travel through Cyprus (up to 5 days).
- Group Visa: For groups of 5–50 travelling together (up to 30 days).
- PRO-Visa: For Russian and Ukrainian nationals flying directly to Cyprus (valid 30 days, free of charge).
- Short-Term/Tourist Visa: For visits up to 90 days; single or multiple entry.
- Multi-Entry Visa: Valid for one year, allows multiple entries (max 90 days in any 180-day period).
- Long-Term Visa/Residence Permit: For work, study, investment, or family reunification (various categories, including Digital Nomad, Startup, and Golden Visa).
Fees: EUR 60–150 depending on visa type and urgency.
Schengen Visa Holders
- Cyprus is not yet in Schengen, but holders of valid Schengen (Type C, double or multiple entry) visas may enter Cyprus for short stays, subject to national policy and airline acceptance.
What to Do If Your Cyprus Visa Is Refused
- You will receive a written explanation.
- You have the right to appeal, typically through a licensed attorney.
- Appeals involving refugee or subsidiary protection can be escalated to the Supreme Court within 14 days.
People also asked...
How long is a visa for Cyprus valid?
A visa is an entry permission for a short (up to 90 days) or extended (up to one year) stay on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, provided to foreign citizens who seek to enter the country.
Are foreign nationals permitted to work in Cyprus?
Foreign citizens (from non-EU countries) may be hired in Cyprus if an employment contract has been offered to them. The employer must submit the application and all needed papers to the Civil Registry and Migration Department through the appropriate District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police or at the Civil Registry and Migration Department’s Central Offices in Nicosia.
Can foreigners tie the knot in Cyprus? If so, what is the pertinent process?
Yes, foreigners are permitted to marry in Cyprus. The appropriate portion of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities website has information on how and where this can be done in further detail.