Cyprus has long been a favorite vacation spot for Russian tourists. Its azure beaches and clean beaches attract more and more tourists every year. The island itself is attractive not only with its warm sea and wonderful climate, but also with picturesque landscapes, as well as high service. In addition, among a fairly small island territory there is a huge number of both natural and historical monuments. Ancient monasteries, churches, the first settlements of people and eco-villages will not leave indifferent any vacationer.
Therefore, choosing a place for your next vacation, in no case should you lose sight of this paradise in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Perhaps the only obstacle will be visa processing. Therefore, this article will examine in detail how and where to start applying for a Cyprus visa. Considering that the Northern part is still controlled by the Republic of Turkey and there is no way to enter directly from Russia, unlike the South side.
The difference between South and North Cyprus
As already mentioned, the Northern and Southern parts have been under the control of different states since 1974: Turkey and Greece, respectively. And this is despite the fact that the island of Cyprus itself has long gained independence and even joined the European Union, but without signing the Schengen agreements. Therefore, from an official point of view, a visa to Cyprus, of course, is needed if we consider the country as an integral one.
However, the Northern half allows entry for Russians under a visa-free regime and provides simplified obtaining a residence permit. Simply put, all visa procedures between North and South do not match. Therefore, the tourist needs to think twice before the trip: what route of travel he will build.
For example, if a tourist draws up a visa for Cyprus (meaning a recognized state), the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus permits to enter its territory with such a document (an additional form is filled out in the border zone), and the tourist does not have any problems. But if he decides to first go to the lands of the Northern part, without a Cyprus visa, then in the future, if he wants to visit the Greek half, he will have difficulties. Because, when traveling to Cyprus, the north side does not issue a visa, but puts its own stamp, which in essence is a violation of Cyprus law, since the TRNC is not a recognized state.
It is worth considering that there are only 5 border zones between the two conflicting parties, and the most supportive one is located in the center of the capital - the city of Nicosia. There is also a UN headquarters and observation posts. It is forbidden for Russian citizens to enter through Ercan Airport under the laws of Cyprus.
What visas to Cyprus exist?
As with any other independent state, visas for visiting Cyprus are divided into different types, based on the intentions of the applicant:
- Transit. Her appointment is at crossing the border of Cyprus in the event of a transit flight with a transfer at one of its airports. Its name is ATV (Air transit visa). It is allowed to stay with her in the transit zone and in the country for up to five days.
- Tourist visa to Cyprus is classified as category D and is called National. This visa gives you the right to visit only Cyprus lands.
- Category C Schengen can be used within Cyprus and the countries that have signed the Schengen agreements (despite the fact that Cyprus is not a party to these agreements).
- Visas to Cyprus for employment and immigration are not granted, but it is possible to issue a special permit for such purposes. For this, for example, the employer contacts the Ministry of Labor and the Immigration Service to apply for a work permit to a foreign worker.
Duration of Visas
Given the validity of visas, you can easily determine which visa to Cyprus a tourist needs in a given period. The validity period of a visa is the actual validity, and the length of time spent on the island is the number of available and maximum possible days spent on the territory during the validity period. Do not confuse these two concepts.
So, what visa to Cyprus does it have:
- If we take Schengen category C, then everything will depend on the goals pursued by the applicant.
- A Cypriot national visa allows multiple entry. Sometimes it is issued for a period of up to five years, in the case of undeniable evidence that a citizen visits Cyprus and other countries of the European Union quite often. Despite such a long period of validity, a tourist can stay in the country only ninety days per six months. The countdown is from the day of the first visit to the country on this visa.
- Category D is issued for a period of up to a year, it is also long-term, but you can stay on it absolutely all year without a break.
- Provision is a short-term and single entry document. Stay in the country is possible for ninety days for a six-month period. It is drawn up on prior request in an online format.
Those who apply for a tourist visa to Cyprus have the right to one-time extension of their stay for a temporary period not exceeding the expiration and validity of the visa. To do this, contact the official Immigration departments of the cities of Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia.
National visa
Since the question of whether a visa to Cyprus is needed for Russians or not is safely addressed, now we need to consider the detailed design and description of each of them.
A national visa is a tourist visa, but is issued for a long period - from a year to three, and in exceptional cases up to five. By terms of stay, a citizen can stay in the country continuously for only ninety days in six months.
You can apply for a visa at any Embassy or Consulate of Cyprus on the territory of the Russian Federation, and absolutely free of charge. Consular fee for Russians canceled.
National Visa Application
In order to be able to come to the country of the eternal sun more often, it’s worth making out the moment how to apply for a visa to Cyprus for Russians. To apply for a National Visa you need:
- A passport valid for up to six months after the expiration of the visa and with one blank page for pasting it.
- Application form for the visa of the established sample. To be completed in English.
- Copy of your passport.
- Copy of an internal Russian passport. You must provide pages with personal information, registration and numbers of previously issued passports.
- Two photos in color. One is glued to a printed application form.
- A copy of the paper confirming the reservation of the hotel room, or a voucher or other document having the address of temporary residence.
- A paper with information about financial security, for example, a statement from a bank account, or a certificate of employment, indicating the monthly salary.
Transit visa
What visa do I need in Cyprus in case of a transit flight? Of course, transit. Usually with its execution there are no additional questions, since the package of documents for this type of entry document is minimal:
- A passport with a validity period of at least three months after the end of the visa and one blank page for pasting it.
- The completed application form in English.
- Photo 3 by 4, which is pasted into the questionnaire.
- Copy of flight reservation to a third country.
- In an optional case, a copy of the visa to the final country of arrival.
Schengen entry
Tourists who have already traveled to the European Union and apply for a Schengen visa can enter Cyprus without additional delays. Schengen category C can also be used in case of transit travel through the country. The rules for staying on this document in the Cypriot territory coincide with the usual Schengen requirements.
In addition, Russians with Bulgarian, Croatian, and Romanian visas can also freely visit Cyprus.
Visa Application Procedure
How to get a visa to Cyprus, having on hand all the necessary package of documents? The applicant’s personal presence when submitting papers and issuing an entry document is not necessary, however, if the consul has additional questions, then in private he may ask the citizen to come to clarify the situation.
The official representative office of Cyprus in Moscow accepts visa applications on any business day, except holidays, falling on the working week. Serving time from 9:30 to 14:00. Production time is only a day, that is, it is likely to pick up a finished passport the very next day. Issuance takes place from 14:00 to 15:00.
The Consulate General is located in St. Petersburg. Documents are accepted on weekdays from 9:30 to 12:00. If the tourist company deals with the tourist’s application, then for them the time is from 9:30 to 10:45. Issuance is made on the day of filing from 16:00 to 16:30.
Thus, Cyprus not only simplified the entry for Russians due to the canceled payment of the consular fee, but also accelerated the production of visas.
What is provisions?
What visa is issued for Cyprus in case of a short stay? For Russian tourists, the Cypriot government has long been providing the opportunity to make provisions using an Internet resource.
She is free to receive. The provision has a short-term validity period and you can enter it only once.
How to get food
How to get a visa to Cyprus of this type on your own? To get started, you need to take just one simple step - connect to the Internet and go to the official website of the Cyprus Embassy in Moscow. Next, follow the link where Provisa for Cyprus is written. The page of the consular department with a description of visa specifications and a questionnaire should be downloaded.
The questionnaire is filled out in English and sent to the e-mail of the department involved in the preparation of provisions. The mail address can be found at the very end of the questionnaire.
For each citizen who wants to get food, a separate application is filled out. All data is taken from a valid foreign passport, which will be used for entry (this information is relevant for those who have two valid foreign passports). The finished file is saved in Word format, and its name is written in the form of a name and surname in Latin.
Provisions Features
After considering the application, a file with a document confirming the request for food is sent in the response letter. It must be printed and presented at the border control upon arrival in Cyprus at one of the airports located in the southern territory.
Validity is ninety days. That is, during this period, a citizen can live in Cyprus without a break, but you can only enter by visa once.
All forms sent to the Consulate mail are processed until three in the afternoon. And the big plus is the lack of the need to collect a folder with documentation. For provisions, you do not need to specify a ticket or hotel reservation. There is no need for an invitation from a resident of Cyprus.
Northern Cyprus Entry conditions
How to get a visa to Cyprus, if you visit only the northern part? The answer is no way. If a tourist wants to spend his vacation exclusively on the territory of the TRNC and does not want to bother with collecting documents for obtaining a Cyprus visa in order to enter the south of the country and travel through the whole territory to the northern part, then he can use the visa-free regime between Russia and Northern Cyprus. However, it is worth remembering the stamp affixed to the border of Northern Cyprus: it is an indicator of the illegal crossing of the Republic of Cyprus.
You can fly to the North side through a transfer point in the Republic of Turkey, with which, by the way, there is also a visa-free regime. There is an option to take a ferry to the city of Girne. Ferries depart from the ports of Alanya and Mersin.