• PASSPORTS AND VISAS

• PEDESTRIANS

• PHOTOGRAPHY

• POLICE

• PORTS

• POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES

• PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

• PLACES OF WORSHIP - RELIGION

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Entry regulations apply only to the areas controlled by the Government of the Republic Cyprus.

1. Passport: Required, except for holders of:
a. Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations
b. Document issued to stateless persons and recognized refugees.
c. Further to the above, citizens of the European Union countries, as well as of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided there is a photo.

2. Admission and transit restrictions:
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus refuses admission to:
a. Holders of Former Yugoslav Republic’s passports bearing a renewal stamp with the name “Macedonia”. Entry is only allowed to holders of Yugoslav passports without the above-mentioned stamp.

b. Holders of “passports” issued illegally by the secessionist entity, the so called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Other nationalities having stamps or visas of the so called “Turkish Rep. of Northern Cyprus” in their passports are only allowed to enter Cyprus after the above-mentioned visas/stamps are cancelled by the Immigration Authorities of the Rep. of Cyprus.

c. For those intending to be employed in Cyprus the issue of an employment permit by the Migration officer is required and no visa is required in order to travel to Cyprus.

* TRNC has been denied any international recognition and has been condemned and declared as illegal by the whole of International Community through Security Council Resolutions 541/83 and 550/84”.

3. Additional information
The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the airports of Larnaka and Pafos and the ports of Larnaka, Lemesos (Limassol), Latsi and Pafos, which are situated in the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Any entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport in the area of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied area) is illegal.

4. VISAS

A. List of third countries whose citizens are required to have a visa.
States:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas (Islands), Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Entities and territorial authorities: Taiwan, Palestinian Authorities.

B. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days for all bona fide tourists nationals of the following countries:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holy See (State of Vatican), Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China: Hong Kong S.A.R., Macao S.A.R.


C. Additional categories of persons who do NOT require visa:

1. Holders of diplomatic, service or other official passports
2. civilian air and sea crew
3. the flight crew and attendants on emergency or rescue flights and other helpers in the event of disaster or accident
4. The civilian crew of ships navigating in international waters
5. The holders of laissez-passer issued by the United Nations to their officials
6. School pupils who are travelling in the context of a school excursion as members of a group of pupils accompanied by a teacher from the school in question.
7. All persons who are in possession of work permit issued by the Migration Officer.
8. All persons who possess permanent or temporary residence permit issued by the Migration Officer.
9. All persons who posses study permit.


Issue:
Visas will be issued by the Embassies and General Consulates of the Republic of Cyprus and additionally by the British High Commissions/Embassies in the following countries:
Argentine Republic, Bahrein, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Switzerland, Sudan, UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai), Uzbekistan and by Honorary Consulates in the rest of countries.

Fees for visas vary between CY£6.00 - CY£20.00 / €10.27- €34.23 according to the type of visa required.


D. Visa application procedure and documents required:

1. Applications of all applicants are accepted regardless of nationality of the applicant.
2. Applications must be submitted in person. However, for those who reside more than 200 miles or 300 km from the Consulate application may be submitted by recorded delivery enclosing a registered self addressed “special delivery” envelope for the safe return of passport and documents.
3. One completed application form signed by the applicant (or legal guardian in the case of minors) with a passport sized photograph attached.
4. A full national passport valid for at least three months longer than the validity of the visa being applied for. Visitors who wish to obtain a visa are advised to be in possession of a passport valid at least for 6 months beyond the period of intended stay.
5. Visa for the return country must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay.
6. Provisional Booking or Itinerary of travel arrangements (Round trip ticket with fixed dates). Ticket should not be purchased before the visa is issued.
7. Prior Hotel Reservation faxed by the Hotel Manager.
8. If visiting for business, an official letter of invitation from a Cyprus company must be presented.
9. If visiting friends, a letter of invitation from the friends with their address, phone number and occupation in Cyprus.
10. Evidence that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the intended stay in Cyprus, e.g. bank statement or travellers cheques (credit cards only in addition to bank statements and with recent statement confirming credit limit. Please note that cash is no acceptable proof).
11. Recent (less than one month old) official letter from employer addressed to the Cyprus Consulate with proof of wages/salary. If self employed, a letter from the solicitor, the accountant or the bank manager of the applicant. If a student in the country of the Consulate, an original letter from the school or University addressed to the Cyprus Consulate confirming status/attendance and the duration of the course.
12. For further information please contact:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Presidential Palace Avenue, 1447 Lefkosia
Tel: 357 22 40 10 00
Fax: 357 22 30 59 24, 22 66 53 13, 22 66 57 78,
22 66 18 81
E-mail: minforeign1@mfa.gov.cy
Website: www.mfa.gov.cy

Applications / Forms

In order to download the relevant forms please press the links below:

Visa Application Form
Assumption of Responsibility Form

For any further information please contact the:

Consular Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus,
Presidential Palace Avenue,
1447, Nicosia
CYPRUS

Tel: +357 22 401222 / 401124 / 401131
Fax: +357 22 661881 / 665313 / 665778
Email: minforeign1@mfa.gov.cy

PEDESTRIANS

Pedestrians at uncontrolled zebra crossings have precedence over vehicles. Since traffic in Cyprus moves on the left hand-side of the road, pedestrians:

1. should always walk on the pavements. If there are no pavements they should walk on the right-hand side of the road.
2. should always look to their right-hand side before using the zebra crossing and
3. should generally be careful when crossing streets.

LaIki Yitonia, east of Eleftheria square (the capital's main square), the area around it, as well as most of the commercial streets within the walls are now a pedestrian ways in Nicosia.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cyprus, an island of widely varied landscape offers excellent and countless opportunities to photographers. Breathtaking panoramas, picturesque villages, bustling towns, unique opportunities for flower and wildlife photography - Cyprus has it all.

However visitors must note that there are certain "restricted areas" for photography and they are requested kindly to pay strict attention to such warning signs.

Photography is forbidden:

1. near military camps or other military installations.
2. in museums where a special license is required by the appropriate authorities.
3. in churches with mural paintings and icons, if "flash" is required.

Films of almost all brands are sold in Cyprus, at various stalls, Photo laboratories, Duty- Free Shops etc.

POLICE

Crime in Cyprus is, comparatively, at a very low level.
The Police is always ready to assist anyone who needs help. In case of emergency, telephone 199 (in all towns).
All policemen speak good English.

PORTS

Passenger and cruise traffic in Cyprus is served by the multipurpose ports of Limassol and Larnaca on the south coast of the country.

As a result of the Turkish invasion and military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, the port of Famagusta and the Kyrenia harbor are closed to shipping and navigation, and have been declared by the Government of Cyprus as prohibited ports of entry and exit, and no visitor is allowed to enter or leave the Republic through these ports.

Limassol Port

The largest port facility on the island, it is situated in the western part of Limassol town and can accommodate vessels of any L.O.A.

Ferries connect Limassol port with Greece, Israel, Egypt, etc. The port also serves as a base and stopover for a large number of cruise ships conducting cruises in the region on a regular and frequent basis.

Services offered to travelers at Limassol Port include:

-   Tourist Information (service to all passenger ships)
-   Foreign Exchange
-   Card & Coin-operated telephones
-   Duty Free Shops
-   Cafeteria
-   Transportation service by taxis (rates are based on taximeters)
-   Health Inspector's Office
-   Car Insurance office

Larnaca Port

Situated on the eastern part of Larnaca town at a distance of 5 km from the Larnaca International Airport, the port can accommodate vessels, not far in excess of 250 m. L.O.A. and longer vessels according to their maneuverability.

Services offered to travelers at Larnaca port, include:

- Foreign Exchange
- Card & Coin0operated telephones
- Duty free shops
- Cafeteria
- Transportation service by taxis (rates are based on taximeters)
- Health Inspector's office

Cyprus Ports Authority
Kritis 23, 1061 Lefkosia
P.O.Box 22007, 1516 Lefkosia
Tel: + 357 22 81 72 00
Fax: + 357 22 76 54 20
e-mail: cpa@cpa.gov.cy
website: www.cpa.gov.cy