Do I need a visa to Cyprus for Russians?

Most Russians want to spend their holidays in warm countries where there is a golden beach, sea and beautiful nature. Therefore, Cyprus is visited by more and more tourists. But there are some nuances in visiting this wonderful place. The main question that worries many who want to relax there: "Do I need a visa to Cyprus for the Russians?"

Yes or no

Need a visa to Cyprus for the Russians? Yes, it is necessary if you are going to visit the southern part of the island. But since this republic is a member of the European Union, you can safely enter there if there is a Schengen.

There are two types of Schengen visas that will allow Russian citizens to be in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus:

1. Short-term - category "C". It gives the right to stay on the island for 90 days, and it is valid for 6 months.
2. Long term - category "D". It makes it possible to stay on the island for longer than 90 days, and its validity period can be several years.

The first option is suitable for those who want to just relax or get an education in short-term courses. A category "D" visa is a prerequisite for obtaining a residence permit. But still (except for Schengen), Russians can apply for a special Cypriot visa.

National visa

It is valid only on the island. To get a visa to Cyprus for Russians, you need to prepare a package of documents.

1. International passport. It must be with at least one blank page and be valid for another three months after the end of the trip.
2. Russian passport.
3. If there are - old passports.
4. The application form completed without errors in English with your signature.
5. One color photograph measuring 3 by 4 cm.
6. A copy of the main page of a valid passport.
7. Health insurance valid throughout Europe. The amount of coverage must be at least 30,000 euros.
8. Confirmation of hotel room reservation.
9. Certificate from the official place of work. If you are not officially working, you can also get a visa if you provide confirmation from your sponsor and a certificate from his place of work. You can provide a bank statement confirming your financial viability.
10. A medical certificate made no earlier than 4 months from the date of treatment. It should be a confirmation that you are healthy.
11. Receipt of payment of consular fee and service fee (if you applied for services at the visa center).

This is a basic list of documents required for obtaining a visa to Cyprus for Russians. But there are additional ones that are needed for certain categories of vacationers.

What do you need to travel with a child?

To obtain permission to enter the territory of the republic with the child, it is necessary to prepare additional documents.

1. Birth certificate of a child.
2. If the child travels with one of the parents or is accompanied by a third party, there must be a permission to travel the minor child abroad, certified by a notary.
3. If the child’s parents are foster children, a certificate of the right to guardianship must be prepared.
4. A copy of the Schengen accompanying the child's face.

All these important nuances must be taken into account so that the child can spend a vacation on this beautiful island.

Entry conditions for students or employees

A visa to Cyprus for Russians will be needed in those cases where the purpose of your trip is work or study. Then to the standard set of documents you need to add those that confirm the purpose of your trip. If you are going to study, you need to prepare:

• invitation letter from a Cypriot educational institution;
• certificate of completion of school education;
• diplomas of previous education (if any);
• characteristic of the police.

If your trip is business in nature, you must add the following documents:

• original and blueprint of the invitation letter from the employer;
• Proof of your work qualifications (certificate of employment, work book, etc.).

Having prepared all these additional documents, you can safely get an education or work in the Republic of Cyprus.

What is a pro visa?

Since 2009, citizens of the Russian Federation have greatly simplified the procedure for obtaining entry permits. There is a pro-visa to Cyprus for Russians, it is free and is preliminary. You can get it by making an electronic request to the Consulate of Cyprus. And upon arrival, they will put a stamp in your passport.

But despite the fact that a pro-visa greatly simplifies entry into the territory of Cyprus, there are special nuances that need to be taken into account:

1. Only one entry into the country is allowed, while you should use only a direct flight from Russia.
2. To register at the airport, you must submit a pro-visa with a passport.
3. It is valid only 90 days.
4. You can live in Cyprus for no longer than 3 months in one half year.

Upon arrival, you may still be asked about the purpose of your trip, confirmation of financial condition, but this is not necessary.

How to get it?

How to apply for a visa to Cyprus for Russians in a simplified form:

1. You need to download the application form on the official website of the Cyprus Embassy in Moscow.
2. Fill it out without errors.
3. You need to send the questionnaire from your email.
4. During the day, the consulate checks to see if the person who filled out the questionnaire is blacklisted by the Cyprus Migration Service.
5. Permission for a pro-visa is sent to the e-mail address, which must be printed in order to show it at the airport.

Then, on the basis of this permission, they will put a stamp in your passport and you can enjoy your vacation in Cyprus.

Cost and time of registration

Usually, an application for a visa to Cyprus for Russians is considered within 5-6 days. If you submitted documents through visa centers, then the time may increase by another 2-3 days. Also, the consular officer may ask for additional documents if he considers it necessary.

But if you wrote an application for a long-term visa, then it can be considered within a month. Therefore, properly distribute your vacation. The issue of cost is also important. A single costs 20 euros, and calculated on multiple visits will cost you 60 euros.

The bonus is that Russia belongs to countries with certain benefits. Therefore, the cost of a visa is significantly reduced and the main amount goes to pay for the services of a visa center.

Features of entry to the northern part of the island

The subtlety is that this part of the island is considered Turkish and the embassy is located in Turkey. Therefore, to visit Northern Cyprus, a visa for the Russians is not needed. You can stay on the territory of this part of the island for 30 days and extend your vacation up to 3 months if you contact the appropriate authorities.

Residents of the northern part of the island are very loyal to tourists, so visiting Northern Cyprus is very easy. You will be marked on a visit to Cyprus not only in your passport, but also in a special insert that needs to be pre-filled.

But be careful when visiting the Turkish part of the island. If a note is made in your passport stating that you used any type of transport in Northern Cyprus, you may be denied the visa required for the countries of the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus. It is best to apply for a one-time visa directly at the entrance to the island. It will allow you to safely move between the two parts of the island.

Still, what is the best visa for Cyprus for Russians? This is Schengen, only it will be valid if you visit another country of the European Union. But the most convenient for Russian citizens is a pro-visa. It is ideal for busy people and those who do not want to spend a lot of time on applying for a national Cypriot visa.

Cyprus is a beautiful island that delights tourists with its picturesque landscapes. And thanks to pleasant bonuses that simplify obtaining a visa, many Russians are happy to spend their holidays in this wonderful republic. Also, you can easily visit the northern part of the island, which is also very interesting for relaxation.