The new visa waiver program for Europe’s Schengen Area will be arriving later than expected. The latest announcement from the European Union (EU) has stated that the ETIAS system will now be launched in 2025 instead of 2024. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has been in the works for several years. It
Visa policy for the Republic of Cyprus
The visa policy for the Republic of Cyprus determines who may enter the country without a visa, and also outlines the countries that need a visa to visit the island state.
As Cyprus joined the European Union as a full member on May 1st 2004, it largely shares the same visa policy as other EU countries and those that have signed the Schengen Agreement for passport-free travel, though it is not yet a full member of the Schengen Area.
Accordingly, citizens of over 90 countries, including EU member states, do not need a visa for Cyprus for varying periods of stay depending on their nationality.
As the visa policy for Cyprus is based on Schengen acquis, citizens of Schengen member states are granted freedom of movement to the island country, simply by presenting a valid national ID card at border control points.
Visitors from a select number of third-national countries are also permitted visa-free access to the Republic of Cyprus for stays up to 90 days for tourism, business, medical treatment or to transit to an onward destination if they present a valid passport upon entry.
However, this is expected to change by the end of 2022, when it is expected that these same travelers will be required to register for an online ETIAS authorization to visit Cyprus as well as the 26 Schengen Countries.
All other foreign citizens are required to obtain an embassy visa for Cyprus from a diplomatic government office of the country in advance of travel, no matter the expected length of stay or purpose of the visit.
Below you will find further information about the different types of visa for the Republic of Cyprus.
