Cyprus
Cyprus is an island republic in the eastern Mediterranean, barely 240 kilometres long, an EU member that sits outside the Schengen Area and runs its own border controls. The Republic of Cyprus governs the south, where nearly all visitors stay, and the north of the island is administered separately, reached through crossing points such as Ledra Street in Nicosia. Greek and Turkish are the official languages, English is widely spoken, and the south pays in euros.
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Visa Requirements for Cyprus
Holders of American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports need no visa for Cyprus and may stay up to 90 days in any 180, for tourism or business. Irish citizens move freely as citizens of the EU, and Indian and Nigerian travellers need a visa from a Cyprus embassy or consulate before the journey. Cyprus is in the EU but outside the Schengen Area, so its own border controls apply and its 90 days are counted on their own.
Before you travel
90 days in any 180
A visitor whose passport needs no visa may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism or business.
Counted apart from Schengen
Cyprus is in the EU but not in the Schengen Area and keeps its own border controls, so days spent in Cyprus do not count towards the Schengen limit, and the Cyprus limit is counted on its own.
The passport
The passport must be valid for three months beyond the departure, and proof of accommodation and of funds may be requested at the border.
Where to apply
Travellers who need a visa apply at an embassy or consulate of Cyprus before the journey, with the application form, photographs, travel insurance, proof of accommodation and of financial means.
The north of the island
The northern part of the island runs separate entry procedures at its crossing points, where a passport is shown.
Visa types
Free movement
For Irish citizens, who live, work and travel in Cyprus freely as citizens of the EU.
Visa-Free Entry
For tourism or business on a passport that needs no visa.
Short-Stay Visa
For passports that need a visa, for tourism, business, cultural or family visits of up to 90 days.
Long-Stay Visa
For stays beyond 90 days — work, study or residence in Cyprus.
Guides
Cyprus is planned by the day rather than the map: the island is small, but the heat, the mountain roads and a mezze lunch that can last three hours decide how much a day holds. The south coast carries the Roman mosaics of Paphos and the ruins of Kourion, the Troodos mountains hide ten painted Byzantine churches, and the Akamas peninsula and Cape Greco keep the wildest coast. Beyond the towns almost everything is reached by car, and Nicosia, the inland capital, is crossed on foot at Ledra Street.
Cyprus travel guide →
Roman mosaics, painted mountain churches, Nicosia and the mezze, and the day as the planning unit.
Money in Cyprus →
Euros in the south, lira for a day in the north, cards and contactless, and cash for the villages.
Eating in Cyprus →
A full mezze runs to thirty dishes — the commonest mistake is filling up on the first ten.
Getting around Cyprus →
No railway, thin buses — a car island that drives on the left, and the crossings to the north.
Health & safety in Cyprus →
The sun, the roads and the sea — the things to plan for on Cyprus.
Cities & planning
Regions
Embassies & missions
Accredited missions for Cyprus
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Cyprus?
Not for a visit of up to 90 days in any 180 on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport; Irish citizens move freely as EU citizens. Indian and Nigerian travellers need a visa from a Cyprus embassy or consulate before the journey.
Is Cyprus part of the Schengen Area?
No — Cyprus is an EU member but not part of Schengen, so it keeps its own border controls, and its 90-day limit is counted separately from time spent in the Schengen Area.
Can I cross into the north of the island?
Yes, on foot or by car at crossing points such as Ledra Street in Nicosia, with a valid passport. The crossing is simple for a traveller who entered Cyprus through the Republic in the south; arriving directly through the north's own ports or airport can complicate a traveller's entry status in the Republic.
Which side should I fly into?
The Republic of Cyprus, through Larnaca or Paphos airport — entering through the south keeps a traveller's entry status straightforward if a day in the north is planned later.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Cyprus?
At least three months beyond the intended departure, with blank pages for the entry stamps.
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This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.