Who Can Enter the Republic of Cyprus Without a Visa

Citizens of EU countries, Schengen Area countries outside the EU, and a number of other states may enter the Republic of Cyprus without a national visa. For most visa-free categories, the limit is up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Entry is also possible with a valid double-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa, as well as with visas or residence permits from certain EU countries. These rules apply to the territory controlled by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

• Visa-free entry to the Republic of Cyprus
• Who can enter with any passport
• Who can enter only with a biometric passport
• Who can enter with a diplomatic passport
• Stateless persons and refugees
• Entry with a Schengen visa
• What documents may be checked
• Frequently asked questions about a Cyprus visa

Visa-free entry to the Republic of Cyprus

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus divides visa-free categories into several groups: citizens of countries that do not need a visa with any type of passport; citizens of certain countries for whom visa-free entry is available only with a biometric passport; holders of diplomatic or special passports; stateless persons and recognized refugees, subject to special conditions.

For short-term trips, the general limit is usually up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Visa-free entry does not give the right to work in the Republic of Cyprus.

Who can enter with any passport

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, the following countries and territories may enter without a visa with any type of passport:

• European Union countries;
• Schengen Agreement countries outside the EU: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican;
• Andorra;
• Antigua and Barbuda;
• Argentina;
• Australia;
• Bahamas;
• Barbados;
• Bermuda;
• Brazil;
• Brunei Darussalam;
• United Kingdom;
• Venezuela;
• Guatemala;
• Honduras;
• Grenada;
• Georgia;
• Dominica;
• Israel;
• Canada;
• Colombia;
• Costa Rica;
• Kiribati;
• Malaysia;
• Marshall Islands;
• Mauritius;
• Mexico;
• Micronesia;
• New Zealand;
• Nicaragua;
• UAE;
• Palau;
• Panama;
• Paraguay;
• Peru;
• Republic of Korea;
• Samoa;
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;
• Saint Kitts and Nevis;
• Saint Lucia;
• North Macedonia;
• Seychelles;
• El Salvador;
• Singapore;
• USA;
• Tonga;
• Trinidad and Tobago;
• Uruguay;
• Chile;
• South Korea;
• Japan.

Who can enter only with a biometric passport

Citizens of some countries may enter the Republic of Cyprus without a visa only if they have a biometric passport. Entry with an old-style passport requires a Cypriot visa.

Who can enter with a diplomatic passport

Holders of diplomatic or special passports from a number of states may enter the Republic of Cyprus without a visa. This rule does not mean visa-free entry with an ordinary passport.

These countries include, in particular: Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Grenada, Georgia, Dominica, Egypt, India, Jordan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kiribati, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Oman, UAE, Palau, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa, North Macedonia, Seychelles, Serbia, Syria, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu and Ukraine.

Stateless persons and refugees

Holders of stateless persons’ travel documents issued under the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons of 28 September 1954 do not need a visa if the documents were issued by a Schengen Area state and the holder resides in that state.

Holders of refugee travel documents issued under the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951 do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Cyprus if the documents were issued by a Schengen Area state or by a state included in the relevant EU visa-free list.

Can you enter with a Schengen visa?

Yes. You can enter the Republic of Cyprus with a valid double-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa. Exception: citizens of Turkey and Azerbaijan must have a national visa of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus also recognizes valid double-entry and multiple-entry visas issued by Bulgaria and Romania for short-term entry, as well as the corresponding residence permits of those countries. Croatia has been part of the Schengen Area since 1 January 2023, so Croatian Schengen documents are treated as Schengen documents.

To check the number of days, you can use the EU visa calculator.

What documents may be checked at the border

Even if a visa is not required, border control may ask you to confirm the purpose of your trip and the conditions of your stay.

• a valid passport or, for EU citizens and some European countries, a national ID card with a photo;
• a return ticket or a ticket to a third country;
• accommodation address or hotel booking;
• sufficient funds for the duration of the trip;
• medical insurance;
• documents confirming the purpose of the trip.

For a trip to the Republic of Cyprus, you can arrange travel insurance in advance. Flights to Larnaca and Paphos can be conveniently compared via Trip.com.

Frequently asked questions about a Cyprus visa

Can you enter the Republic of Cyprus with a Schengen visa?

Yes, if it is a valid double-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa. Citizens of Turkey and Azerbaijan need a national visa of the Republic of Cyprus.

Can you enter with Bulgaria or Romania visas?

Yes, valid double-entry and multiple-entry visas of Bulgaria and Romania are recognized for short-term entry into the Republic of Cyprus, subject to validity and the stay limit.

What is the maximum length of stay without a visa?

Usually up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Can Ukrainian citizens enter without a visa?

Yes, if they have a biometric passport. For an old-style passport, visa requirements must be checked separately.

Can Russian citizens enter without a visa?

With an ordinary passport, citizens of the Russian Federation need a visa or another document granting the right to enter, for example a valid double-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa. The visa-free rule in the list applies to diplomatic or special passports.

Can you work under visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free entry and a short-term visa do not give the right to work in the Republic of Cyprus.