Check up-to-date Cyprus Visa Policy for your Country

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.

Tourist Visa Policy for the Republic of Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus immigration policy states that there are currently around 90 nationalities who do not need a visa for Cyprus to visit for short tourist stays.

This includes all citizens of European Union countries, who are permitted a visa-free stay for tourism simply by presenting a valid national ID card at Cypriot border checkpoints.

Residents and nationals of a number of other countries are permitted to travel to the island without a tourist visa for Cyprus for stays up 90 days, on the condition that they carry a valid passport to present on arrival.

However, an additional requirement for tourist travelers will be introduced by the end of 2022, when ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be implemented for all countries with visa policies based on the Schengen acquis.

Once this travel authorization system is live, all third-country nationals of the Schengen Area will be required to register for an ETIAS visa waiver online and receive approval before they can travel to Cyprus for tourism.

All other foreign visitors need a tourist visa for Cyprus and are required to obtain this travel document from an embassy or consulate of the Republic well in advance of their intended date of arrival.

Find more information about tourist visa options for Cyprus below.

ETIAS for Cyprus

Although a number of third-national citizens of the Schengen passport-free zone are currently granted exemption from a visa for Cyprus for short stays, by the end of 2022 they will be required to pre-register online for an ETIAS visa waiver before they can visit the island country for the same period.

The ETIAS program was approved by the European Commission in 2016 with the aim of strengthening the external borders of the Schengen Area , and is expected to take 5 years to fully implement.

This electronic travel authorization will be available through a simple online application that will take only minutes to complete.

Once approved, an ETIAS for Cyprus is digitally linked to the same passport the applicant used to fill in the form, eliminating the need to visit an embassy or consulate in person to obtain approval.

To complete an ETIAS application for Cyprus, the applicant will be required to fill in basic personal and passport information, as well as to answer a few safety questions that will be screened against European security databases before the authorization is approved.

Once approved, an ETIAS for Cyprus will be valid for 3 years from the date of issue, or until the associated passport expires, whichever is first.

It will allow multiple entries to Cyprus and any of the 36 Schengen countries during its validity, for a total stay of 90 days with each entry for purposes of tourism, transit, business activities, or medical treatment.

Discover the full list of countries that will need an ETIAS for the Republic of Cyprus below.

Embassy or Consular Visa Required

Although the visa rules and regulations for the Republic of Cyprus outline several nationalities who are visa-exempt for short stays, nationals of approximately 150 countries worldwide are required to obtain a visa to visit regardless of their purpose of travel or intended period of stay.

This must be obtained in advance from the nearest embassy or consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in the country where the traveler is resident. The application protocol involves first making an appointment at the relevant overseas government office.

Once an embassy appointment is secured, the applicant is required to complete a Cyprus visa application to bring to the consular interview, indicating whether they need a tourist visa, student visa, business visa, work visa, or other visa option on the form.

Depending on the type of visa selected, it will be necessary to bring a range of supporting documentation to the embassy interview. It is also necessary to pay a Cyprus visa fee before the application can be processed.

As processing for an embassy travel document may take up to several weeks, applicants are advised to begin the application process well in advance of their intended date of arrival in the Republic of Cyprus.

Discover if you need to apply for a visa for Cyprus from an embassy by browsing the list of countries below.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Algeria
American Samoa
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Armenia
Aruba
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Botswana
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Cuba
Curacao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Isle of Man
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Martinique
Mauritania
Mayotte
Mongolia
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian Territory
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Qatar
Reunion
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Sint Maarten
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
United States Virgin Islands
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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Visa Not Required

As detailed above, Cyprus immigration requirements currently permit citizens of roughly 90 countries to enter the Republic visa-free for different periods of stay depending on their nationality.

As the Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union and largely shares the same visa policy as the 26 countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement, all citizens of Schengen countries are permitted freedom of movement to Cyprus if they travel with a valid national ID card.

Additionally, a number of citizens from non-Schengen countries currently do not need a visa for Cyprus for stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, medical treatment, or transit purposes.

Nevertheless, immigration policy changes for Cyprus will come into place in 2022, and require all visa-exempt citizens from outside of the European Schengen Area to register for an ETIAS electronic travel authorization before they can visit any Schengen-affiliated country for short stays.

Upon approval, an ETIAS visa waiver will permit the holder to travel to Cyprus and any of the 26 Schengen countries multiple times for a total stay of 90 days within every 180-day period with each entry. It will be valid for 3 years upon approval, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first.

To travel to Cyprus for stays longer than 90 days, or for purposes not permitted with a Cyprus ETIAS, these same citizens will be required to apply for a visa from the nearest embassy or consulate of the republic.

Find a full list of the visa not required countries for Cyprus below.