How to apply for a Schengen visa in Cyprus?

The Republic of Cyprus is part of the European Union, but to visit countries in the Schengen area, you will need to apply for a visa. Here's what you need to do.

Schengen Visa in Cyprus

• Which countries is it required for?
• List of documents
• Where to apply
• Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries is it required for?

A Schengen visa is required for entry into any of the countries in the Schengen Agreement. These include: Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia.

List of documents

Important! First and foremost, you must be legally residing on the island and not on a tourist visa. In other words, you must have a residence permit - Pink Slip or Yellow Slip. Additionally, it must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area.

To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need the following set of documents:

• Completed application form (some embassies allow online filling of the form).
• Two color photographs sized 3.5×4.5 cm, taken against a light background without corners or ovals.
• A valid passport with a validity of at least 3 months from the planned date of departure from the Schengen area. The passport must have at least two empty pages.
• Applicant's fingerprints, if not registered in the Visa Information System (VIS) within the last 5 years. These are submitted directly at the consulate.
• Residence permit or permanent residence permit (mentioned earlier), may also require an Alien Card.
• Health insurance covering the entire stay in the Schengen countries. The insurance must be issued in EU countries and include information on the insured person's surname and name, insurance period (which should include the dates of the planned trip), number of coverage days during the trip, as well as the insurance territory (worldwide or Schengen countries). The minimum coverage amount for medical expenses, including the risk of death, is €30,000. Russian insurance companies are not accepted, it is better to arrange insurance through the website of one of the European companies.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a rental contract or proof of ownership.
• Employment certificate, issued on the organization's letterhead containing information about the position held, salary amount, length of service in the company, and contact details (address and phone) of the organization.
• For individual entrepreneurs - a company registration certificate.
• Bank statement confirming sufficient funds in the account (requirements may vary by country, it is better to clarify this at the consulate).
• Airplane tickets or round-trip cruise tickets.
• Hotel reservation or invitation from the host. If the invitation is issued by a company, it must include the company's TIN. Invitations from relatives and friends must not be older than six months at the time of document submission and, if necessary, translated and certified.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa?

To apply for a visa, you need to contact the consular office of the country where you plan to spend the most days during your trip. If the number of days is equal, priority is given to the first country of entry.

Currently, there are 44 foreign diplomatic missions represented in Nicosia, including embassies and consular departments at the embassies of the following Schengen Zone countries: Austria, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden.

Frequently Asked Questions about Schengen Visa in Cyprus

Which European countries can you fly to without a Schengen visa?

These are countries, like Cyprus, that are part of the EU but not yet part of the Schengen Area: Bulgaria and Romania. In these states, you will be received with the Residence Permit of the Republic of Cyprus.
Also, among European countries, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are accessible to holders of a Russian passport.

Can you get a Schengen visa without a Cyprus Residence Permit?

No, lawful residence in the submitting territory is the main rule. You can try to obtain a Residence Permit in Northern Cyprus and get a Schengen visa there.

Can you apply for a visa by proxy?

Yes, another person can apply on your behalf with a notarized power of attorney. The power of attorney must be without the right of sub-delegation and issued no more than six months before submission. However, if your fingerprints are not in the common Schengen system database, or if you provided them more than 5 years ago, personal presence is required.

How much does it cost to get a Schengen visa in Cyprus?

For Russian citizens - 80 euros (50% discount for children under 12), for citizens of other countries - 35 euros.

Read Cyprus news on Telegram channel and Instagram, where we will share fresh information on visa policy changes.