VISA Information and Application Process
The Cyprus High Commission cooperates with VFS Global across the UK for the collection of visa applications from third country nationals. Applicants are encouraged to submit their visa applications to the designated offices of VFS Global across the UK.
It is noted that all applications are processed at the Consulate General in London.
In those cases where the Consulate General deems necessary, it has the right to call applicants to visit our premises directly instead or for an additional interview to the one from VFS Global.
All applicants are encouraged to refer to VFS Global for submitting their documents across the UK.
For booking an appointment as well as for further information please click here.
- VFS contact line: 02037938634
- VFS email: info.cyprusinuk@vfshelpline.com
In case of an emergency, please send us an email to hclconsular@mfa.gov.cy
——————————————————————————————————-
Schengen Visas
Holders of valid double or multiple entry Schengen visa or Bulgarian, Croatian and Romanian national visa, as well as residence permits issued by Schengen Member States or by Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania, are not required to hold a short-stay visa to enter the Republic of Cyprus for a time period that does not exceed 90 days in any 180 day period. This provision does not apply to citizens of Turkey and Azerbaijan who must follow the regular visa issuance procedure, unless they are family members of an EU citizen as provided in Directive 2004/38/EC. Note: The Republic of Cyprus has adopted the provisions of Decision No. 565/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 introducing a simplified regime for the control of persons at the external borders based on the unilateral recognition by Cyprus as well as by Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania of certain documents as equivalent to their national visas for transit through or intended stays on their territories not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.
Holders of Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine, Georgia, FYROM and Moldova biometric passports do not need a visa to enter Cyprus for a period of up to three months (90 days per six months). It is noted that holders of the old (non biometric) passports for the above mentioned countries will still need to obtain a visa in order to enter Cyprus. It is further noted that holders of Serbian passports that are issued by the “Coordination Directorate” in English or “Koordinaciona Uprava” in Serbian will also still have to obtain a visa in order to enter Cyprus.
——————————————————————————————————————–
1. List of Countries whose citizens require a visa to travel to Cyprus
Please follow link by clicking here.
2. Visa Requirements
- A passport or travel document (please refer to section A) of your country that is recognised by the Republic of Cyprus.
- The valid travel document must have been issued within the previous 10 years from the date of entry to the Republic of Cyprus.
-
- All passports should be valid for at least three months after departure from the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and contain a blank visa-page.
- A valid United Kingdom residence permit (or relevant visa).
- One fully completed and signed application form and one recent photograph per person endorsed on passport. For minors (aged under eighteen years), a certified written consent from both parents and/or legal guardians is required (in person or in a Cyprus Consulate if abroad), along with a copy of each parent’s/guardian’s passport and the child’s original birth certificate which must include the parents details or the necessary court documentation. If the parents reside in the UK they should be present during the application.
- Medical travel insurance in the minimum amount of 30,000 euros, valid for the duration of the applicant’s stay in Cyprus.
- Evidence that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover the cost of the intended stay, in the form of a full bank statement to include the applicant’s address.
- A recent and original letter from your employer, stating commencement date, with last payslip. If you are self-employed a letter is required from your solicitor, accountant or bank manager. If you are a student, please submit a recent and original letter from school, college or university confirming attendance. If you are unemployed, please bring your social benefit booklet. If you are retired please bring your pension book.
- Travel Itinerary.
- Confirmed booking for accommodation in the Republic of Cyprus. A proof of ownership if owning a property in the Republic of Cyprus.
- If staying with friend or relative, the applicant must submit a completed Assumption of Responsibility form. It must be completed by the Cypriot national or resident of Cyprus hosting the applicant, signed before a Certifying Officer of the Republic of Cyprus, and certified accordingly. The Cyprus Consulate reserves the right to request further documentation in support of the Assumption of Responsibility.
- Please be informed that, as of 11/06/2024, the fee for a visa is the equivalent of €90 in British pounds. This applies to single entry, double, and multiple visas. Please be informed that visa handling fees will be charged on all applications handed in the Consulate General, irrespective of outcome. Visas can be issued free of charge to the spouse and children (-18) of a European Union national.
Proof of the relationship must be submitted with each application:
a. the original marriage or original full birth certificate mentioning the name of the parents, with certified translation in English;
b. and spouse’s/parent’s original passport.
3. Passport Validity for Visitors
- European Union passport holders – no specific validity period required; passport must simply be valid on the date of return.
- Non EU passport holders who do not need a visa– require three months validity on the date of return.
- Non EU passport holders who require a visa– require three months validity on the date of return..
- Travel document holders require six (6) months validity on their document.
- Please note that children registered on their parents’ passport may continue to travel to the Republic of Cyprus until they reach the age of sixteen (16).
4. Useful Information
For further information please visit the following link: http://www.vfsglobal.com/Cyprus/UK/news.html (Tel: 02037938634, Email: info.cyprusinuk@vfshelpline.com)
- Applications should be submitted at least twelve (12) working days before the date of intended travel.
- There is no legal right to a visa. The fact that a visa has been granted does not automatically entitle the holder to enter Cyprus, as the prerequisites for entry will be checked again on entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
- All documents must be in English, Greek or Turkish. Documents in other languages must be officially translated and certified by the relevant Embassy or if applicable Apostille.
- Should you wish to keep your original documents please submit a photocopy of each document along with the original.
- Please note that additional documents may be requested when submitting your application.
-
Important information concerning travel to the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus
Ever since the illegal Turkish invasion of July 1974, over 36% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus remains unlawfully occupied by the Turkish army (for more information click here). As a result of this, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus which is the sole legal and internationally recognized government on the island, is not in a position to exercise effective control over the occupied areas of its territory.
If you intend to travel to Cyprus, you should be aware that the so-called “trnC”, the secessionist entity unilaterally declared by the occupation regime, has been condemned and declared illegal and invalid by the International Community through United Nations Security Council Resolutions 541/83 and 550/84.
Currently, and subject to any temporary COVID-related restrictions, it is possible for foreign visitors who visit the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, to cross to the occupied areas.
You should be aware, however, that staying in properties owned by Greek Cypriot refugees who have been forced by the occupation army to flee, including hotels in the occupied area which are being illegally exploited, would put you at risk of possible legal action on the part of the owners.
Travelers entering the Republic of Cyprus via any illegally operating airport or port in the occupied area that has been declared closed in accordance with International Law, will be in breach of national legislation of the Republic of Cyprus. You are therefore urged to travel via the legal points of entry to the Republic of Cyprus, so as to avoid the risk of facing the consequences of the law.
The legal points of entry to the Republic of Cyprus are the intenational airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the ports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos, which are situated in the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Entry to the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport in the area of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied area) is illegal.
5. Travel Information
A passport is required, except for holders of:
- Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations.
- Travel Document issued to stateless persons and recognised refugees in accordance with the Geneva Convention of 1951.
- Citizens of the European Union countries, as well as of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided it contains a photograph.
6. The New EITAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
Starting in the first half of 2025, UK nationals, including British overseas citizens (BOC), British protected persons (BPP), British subjects (BS), are required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation to travel to any of the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS for a short stay unless they are beneficiaries of the withdrawal agreement.
ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays – normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
As a general rule, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you meet all the following criteria:
- you are not an EU national;
- you are a citizen of a country whose nationals are not required to have a visa for short-term stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS;
- you do not have a residence permit/card/document issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS
Some travellers may be exempted from the requirement to have an ETIAS travel authorisation, so please check the sections on who should apply and exemptions before filling out the application.
Please note that some visa-required travellers may also apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation – check here for more information.
Please note that having a valid ETIAS travel authorisation does not automatically grant you the right to enter the territory of the European countries requiring ETIAS. All travellers arriving at the border are still subject to border checks and border guards will refuse entry to those who do not meet the entry conditions. Furthermore, travellers without a valid ETIAS travel authorisation will be refused entry at the border.
More information may be found on the EU’s FAQ.