Everything you need to know about a Cyprus visa

British citizen passport holders do not need a visa to enter Cyprus when they plan to stay in the nation for a period, not exceeding three months. 

For visits that last longer than 90 days then you need to obtain a residence permit.

In order to be granted entry into Cyprus without a visa, your passport should generally be valid for the stated duration of stay in the nation. 

However, we would recommend you to maintain a minimum validity of six months in your passport since if you travel to the northern parts of the nation, their administration might request for a passport with 6 months validity from your date of arrival in the country.

Additionally, you might be needed to present proof of sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses in the stay period. 

Most of the time, at border checkpoints, you may also be asked to produce a return or onward ticket.

Even if there’s a no-deal Brexit, there should be no change in rules for short-term visits. The European Commission has already stated that British nationals would be able to visit any Schengen as well as EU countries, including Cyprus, without a visa, provided the stays are limited to three months within any six-month period.

Note: You cannot engage in any employment opportunities during the visa-free period. You will require a visa and a work permit. For planned visits that exceed 90 days, you will need a visa. For additional queries, you should contact with the Republic of Cyprus High Commission.

For holders of Cyprus resident permits, foreign nationals are advised to carry these documents when seeking entry or exit from the nation. Otherwise, they will be treated like normal British citizens and will have to follow the 90-day visa-free policy.

Also, you should be careful when visiting the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’. Here, the visa-free rule or Cyprus-issued residence permits are not considered valid by the administration.

Entry policy for foreigners

All visa applications to the Cyprus High Commission must be applied through a third-party provider. But first, you must be sure if you require a visa or not.

The following nationals do not need a visa to enter the nation and can stay here for three months within any six-month span:

• Double-entry, multiple-entry, or long-term Schengen visa holders
• Holders of a residence permit issued by a Schengen Country
• Holders of double- or multiple-entry Romanian, Croatian or Bulgarian visa
• Holders of a residence permit issued by Romania, Bulgaria or Croatia

Note: If you own a passport from Turkey and Azeri and fall under any of the above categories, you still need a visa. Also, Russian passport holders are eligible to obtain a multiple entry visa, valid for up to three years, if they can verify their purpose of visit and provide all necessary documents.

Nationals of Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine, Georgia, FYROM, and Moldova and possessing a biometric passport from these nations are visa-exempt from Cyprus and can stay here for up to 90 days per 180 days.

For the list of nationals who need a visa to enter Cyprus, check out the link here. If you belong to this list and are staying in the UK on a visa or a UK residence permit, you shall have to lodge a visa application prior to your travel dates.

The list of documents required are as follows:

• An original passport or travel document that is valid for at least six months and contains a minimum of two blank pages. It should not be older than 10 years
• A valid UK residence permit or visa
• A fully completed and signedvisa application form
• One recent photograph
• Consent letter from both parents and/or legal guardians if the applicant is a minor (below 18 years). This should be accompanied by a copy of each parent’s/guardian’s passport and the child’s original birth certificate
• Proof of sufficient funds which can be presented as a recent bank statement
• A cover letter from the employer in the UK or a letter from the solicitor, accountant or bank manager if the applicant is self-employed. Students must submit a recent and original letter from their academic institute. Unemployed applicants can present their social benefit booklet. Retired travelers can submit a copy of their pension book
• Travel itinerary
• Evidence of accommodation in the form of hotel bookings or an Assumption of Responsibility form, filled in and signed by the Cypriot national or resident with whom the applicant will be staying
• The required visa fee paid only in cash

Note: You should lodge an application for a visa at least 12 days in advance before your travel dates. You should submit all documents in English, Greek or Turkish. If you are submitting your documents in another language, you must ensure that they are translated and certified by the relevant Embassy or Apostille (if necessary).

Living and working in Cyprus

If you wish yo stay in Cyprus for more than three months, you must register yourself as a Cypriot resident. You need to fill in a registration certificate issued by the Ministry of the Interior, Civil Registry and Migration Department. You can contact the department here.

If you have lived in Cyprus for more than five years, you can lodge an application for permanent residence.

Once you are registered as a Cypriot resident, you can seek employment options in Cyprus. However, for this purpose, you might have to submit a UK Police certificate.