Cyprus is a member state of the European Union, but it has been divided into two separate territories since 1974. With the introduction of the visa-free regime in Turkey in 2016, Cyprus’s citizens have been granted the same privilege as their Turkish counterparts and can visit Turkey for short periods without a visa. However, if you are travelling to Cyprus from Europe to use this new visa-free regime, you likely won’t be able to enter with your Cypriot passport if you have previously visited Turkey on your Turkish passport. Turkey Visa for Cypriot Citizens
What is a Turkey Visa?
If you are a citizen of Cyprus, and you want to travel to Turkey, you will need to obtain a visa. To obtain a Turkish visa, you must first apply online at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Once your application is processed, you will be sent an eVisa approval email. If all goes well, the eVisa will be issued and sent to your email address. Upon receipt of the eVisa, please print out the bottom portion for your visa application form and complete it in front of an official Turkish Embassy or Consulate.
If you are not a citizen of Cyprus but wish to visit Turkey for tourism purposes only, then you can obtain a Tourist Visa from an embassy or consulate of Turkey. For example, if you are visiting Istanbul for tourism purposes, then you would need to visit the Turkish Embassy in Athens.
Types of Visas
Turkey is a Schengen member country and visa-free for citizens of EU countries.
Holders of an eVisa must present their passports to be issued with a visa.
Cypriot citizens are eligible for a one-month visa on arrival. The visa can be extended for an additional three months at the border police office. Turkey eVisa
Requirements for a Visa
A visa is required for citizens of most countries to travel to Turkey. Citizens of the following 22 countries do not require a visa for tourist visits: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize Bonaire Saint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Finland France Gambia Germany Greece Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago
Things to do before the Visa Interview
Do your research
Be sure to read up on the Turkish visa process and make sure you have all of the information you need before your interview. Familiarize yourself with the eVisa requirements, as Cyprus is a member of the European Union and most Turks will already have one.
Arrive Early
Don’t miss your appointment if you can help it. Arrive early to avoid long lines and ensure that you have enough time to complete all of the paperwork.
Bring Documents
Make sure to bring all of the documentation required by Turkish authorities, including your passport, visa application form, and any other relevant documents.
Be Prepared to Answer Questions
Be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans, why you want to visit Turkey, and whether you have any criminal convictions or outstanding warrants.
Take Notes During Your Interview
Keep a record of what was said during your interview so that you can refer back to it if needed.
The Visa Interview
The visa interview is the first step in obtaining a Turkish visa. The applicant will be asked for their name, date of birth, nationality, address and contact information. They will also be asked about their travel plans and why they are visiting Turkey. If the applicant has any criminal history or outstanding warrants, this will be noted during the interview.
If the applicant is travelling with a companion, they will both be required to attend the interview together. If the applicant is travelling alone, they may need to provide additional documentation to support their case.
If the applicant is applying for a tourist visa, they will need to provide evidence of funds sufficient to cover their stay in Turkey as well as proof of onward travel. They will also need to provide a letter of invitation from a related person or organization in Turkey.
If the applicant is applying for a work visa, they will need to provide documentation confirming that they are eligible for employment in Turkey and that the position they are seeking is allowed under Turkish law.
After completing the visa interview, applicants will receive a decision letter detailing whether or not they have been granted a visa. If all requirements are met, applicants may be issued a passport and visa application form which must then be submitted to Turkish embassies or consulates worldwide.