Cyprus Travel Guide

Cyprus Travel Guide

With beautiful villages surrounded by vineyards and cities full of trendy art galleries, spas and restaurants to shipwreck diving skiing on snow-covered mountains and strolls around fabulous archaeological sites colorful Cyprus is every inch a sophisticated Mediterranean destination.

The island, which legend has it was where Aphrodite the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty was born at the picturesque Petra Tou Romiou near Paphos lies on the fringes of Europe at a point where Asian Middle Eastern and European cultures merge. While giving the island a rich mix of traditions cuisine and music Cyprus’s strategic position has also made it desirable to countless powers over millennia. All have left their mark.

In fact, Cyprus’s history is legendary. More than 10,000 years of history has seen periods of rule by the ancient Mycenaean Greeks and Byzantines, and invasions by the Persians and Ottomans. The Romans Venetians and the Lusignans along with England’s Richard the Lion heart – who acquired Cyprus in the 12^th century – have all ruled before it became part of the British Empire in the 19^th century independent in 1960 and divided fourteen years later.

What documents will be required?
Passport valid for at least 6 months required by all except:
1. nationals of EU countries Iceland Liechtenstein Norway and Switzerland who hold a valid national identity card with the bearer’s photograph. Passports must be valid for 3 months after day of departure for visitors not requiring visas. Those requiring visas must have passports valid for 6 months from date of intended stay
2. holders of: 
(a) Laissez-passer issued by the United Nations. Nationals of Egypt and Israel can enter Cyprus with a Lliaise passer provided they hold an entry permit previously obtained by the Immigration Department in Nicosia. 
(b) Travel documents issued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to Cypriot nationals. 
(c) Documents issued to stateless persons and recognized refugees.

Application to: In person to the Consulate or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission see Contact Addresses section. Transit visas are issued on arrival in Cyprus except for nationals of Iraq Macedonia and Turkey who must obtain them prior to arrival.

Application requirements: 
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity. 
(b) One completed application form. 
(c) Two passport-size photo. 
(d) Proof of sufficient funds to cover duration of stay. 
(e) Onward or return ticket and evidence of hotel reservation. 
(f) Fee (payable by cash or postal order only, subject to rate of exchange). 
(g) For business trips an introductory letter from the applicant’s company giving details and nature of business to be conducted. For students a letter from the applicant’s place of education is required.

Time required to issue visa:
In most cases personal applications will be processed on the same day or within 24 hours, but it may take up to 2 weeks if application needs to be referred to Cyprus depending on nationality

What is the cost of a visa?
Tourist and Business: free of charge to nationals of Egypt Syrian Arab Republic and Ukraine provided holding onward or return tickets and sufficient funds to cover the duration of their stay.

How long is the visa valid for?
Maximum of 3 months from date of issue. Transit visas are valid for travel through Cyprus for a period of up to 5 days, provided the traveler is in possession of appropriate visas and onward tickets for the destination country. Multiple entry visa, valid for 1 – 5 years.

Other information:
Restricted entry: The Government of Cyprus may refuse admission to holders of passports endorsed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus or they may cancel the stamps. Other nationalities with visas or stamps for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in their passport, may be refused entry to the Republic of Cyprus or have the stamps cancelled. It is not possible to enter the Republic of Cyprus via the unapproved ports and airports of Ercan, Famagusta, Kyrenia or Karavostassi in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Nationals of any country coming to Cyprus for employment or studies must secure an employment or student’s permit through the Migration Officer, Nicosia prior to arrival. Applications should be submitted by the prospective employers or the directors of the schools.

Embassy contact information: 
Please contact the nearest Embassy of Cyprus for information on what documentation you may require to enter Cyprus.
Embassies of Cyprus to the World