Applying for a visa for Cyprus is pretty straightforward for most nationalities. Cyprus is an EU member but not part of the Schengen Area, so it has its own national visa rules that are a bit different from the Schengen rules.
Nationals of many countries can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. Anyone planning a longer stay needs a residence permit, or an employment permit if they intend to work. For visa-free visitors, the EU is bringing in an online travel authorisation called ETIAS, and visa-exempt travellers will need to obtain it before they arrive. It isn't in force at the time of writing, but check the current status before you travel.
It's wise to keep the island's political situation in mind. The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus does not recognise the secessionist north, so its visa rules are valid only in the south of the island. The Republic treats every airport and port in the Turkish-occupied north as illegal points of entry, and it advises visa holders to enter through the south to avoid any trouble.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the legal points of entry are the airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the ports of Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, and Latsi.
Tourist visas for Cyprus
Not everyone will need a tourist visa for Cyprus. Nationals of many countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, can enter for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without one. Citizens of the EU and the wider EEA can enter Cyprus with a national identity card instead of a passport, as can Swiss nationals. Nationals of some other countries will need to apply for a visa in advance.
When applying for a tourist visa (also called a short-stay visa), you will need to show enough funds for the trip and a return ticket. If you're visiting family or friends, you'll also need a letter of invitation. A regular short-stay visa is valid for stays of up to 90 days and can be issued for single or multiple entries within a 180-day period. Multiple-entry short-stay visas are valid for one to five years, although the holder can still only stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
There's a useful shortcut for frequent travellers. Anyone holding a valid double- or multiple-entry Schengen visa or a residence permit from a Schengen country can enter Cyprus for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a separate Cypriot visa. Turkish and Azerbaijani citizens are the exception and will still need one. Bear in mind that this convenience is one-way, and you can't use a Cypriot visa or residence permit to travel onward into the Schengen Area.
Business visitor visas for Cyprus
The requirements for a business visitor visa for Cyprus are much the same as for a tourist visa. You'll also need a recent letter from your employer that states your salary. If you're self-employed, you can provide a letter from your accountant or solicitor instead, or a statement from your bank. The company you are visiting in Cyprus must also send an official letter of invitation.
Residence and work permits for Cyprus
Once a short stay is no longer enough, expats need to consider residence and work permits for Cyprus. You'll need a long-term residence permit to settle in Cyprus for the longer term. The Migration Department handles residence and immigration permits. On older paperwork and websites, you'll still see its former name, the Civil Registry and Migration Department. The government also runs a digital nomad visa for remote workers who are employed by companies outside Cyprus.
Immigration permits
Immigration permits for Cyprus are open only to certain applicants. The Immigration Control Board reviews each application, and the Minister of the Interior gives final approval. The categories applicants use most often include:
- financially independent applicants who have enough income from abroad to live on without working (the most common route, and a popular one with pensioners and retirees)
- applicants who have been offered permanent employment that won't create undue local competition
- self-employed applicants who hold the necessary permits and have enough funds behind them
- investors who put a qualifying sum into property or business in Cyprus, which is a faster route to permanent residency
Work permits
For most jobs, a work permit for Cyprus is a combined Temporary Residence and Employment Permit. The employer usually submits the application to the Migration Department through the local District Aliens and Immigration Unit of the police. Before a third-country national can be hired in this way, the Department of Labour must confirm that no suitably qualified Cypriot or EU citizen is available for the post.
There's a faster route for international businesses. A company registered as a ‘company of foreign interest’ can hire highly skilled non-EU staff without the labour market test, and there's no limit on how many it can employ. This registration is handled by the government's Business Support Centre.
Skilled professionals may also qualify for an EU Blue Card, a combined residence and work permit for roles in fields such as IT and research.
Work permits are granted for a few years at a time and can be renewed for as long as the job lasts. After several years of legal residence, expats can apply for long-term resident status.
Useful links
- Migration Department: residence and immigration permits
- Republic of Cyprus: visa information
- Business Support Centre: companies of foreign interest
Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and expats should contact the relevant embassy or consulate for the latest details.