Cyprus, a stunning island in the Eastern Mediterranean, is known for its rich history and diverse culture. However, it is also recognized for its political division, which has resulted in the existence of the Green Line – the UN-controlled buffer zone that separates the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the north. Here’s a guide to understanding the border crossings in Cyprus and how to navigate between the two sides of the island.

If you are an EU citizen there have been NO restrictions to prevent you crossing the North/South border in Cyprus since 2003. You are free to cross and spend as long as you wish by producing your passport or ID card. There are a number of Cyprus border crossings you can use:

 

Metehan (also called Agios Dometios or Kermiya) in the west of Nicosia:
A crossing point where you can cross with a vehicle, bicycle or by foot.

 

Ledra Palace/Ledra Street and Locmaci in central Nicosia:
This is for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists. Just a stroll across to the other side of the city. 

 

Dhekelia (also known as Beyarmudu, Pergamos or Pile):
This border can be crossed with a vehicle, bicycle or by foot.

 

Akyar (also called Strovilia or Azios Nikolaos) in British Eastern Sovereign Base Area in Famagusta:
This crossing point is located on the Larnaca-Famagusta road and for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.

 

Yesilirmak (also known as Limnitis) near Guzelyurt (Morpho):
This is for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.

 

 

 

VISAS OF NORTH CYPRUS

Entry to and departure from North Cyprus is done through designated ports and border crossings with a valid passport or a travel document.

 

Residence Permits and Visas Regulation for NORTH CYPRUS which entered into force on 23 October 2019 pursuant to the Article 20 and Chapter 105 of the Immigration and Aliens Law regulates the entry, stay and departure of foreigners. 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

For the citizens of the Republic of Turkey traveling to TRNC:

• A valid passport or identity card is required.

 

For the citizens of the European Union:

• A valid EU passport or national identity card is required

 

For the third country nationals:

• A valid passport is required.

 

Visa regulations apply to crossings from South Cyprus.

NOTE: The nationals of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Armenia are under obligation to apply in person to a TRNC Representative Office abroad to obtain a visa prior to traveling.

 

Regarding the visa applications:

It is recommended to make visa applications at least one month in advance of the intended travel date if possible. Visas for education purposes vary for each country but it may take 2-3 months or longer to process a visa application. It is recommended to have a passport valid for at least 6 months on the date of visa application.

 

Foreigners are required to have the following in their possessions at the port of entry to the TRNC:

• A valid passport
• £85 (Sterling Pounds) or equivalent per day the visitor intends to stay
• Round trip ticket
• Proof of confirmed hotel reservation
• For visiting family, a letter of invitation which provides name, address, phone number and other contact information in full
• If traveling for higher education, an official acceptance letter from the university
• If traveling on a business trip, an official letter of invitation from a company in the TRNC

 

NOTE: TRNC Immigration Police Officer at the ports of entry is authorized to issue a maximum of 90 days to enter and stay if the responses to his/her questions are satisfactory. The visitors who intend to stay longer than the permitted period should apply before the visa expiry date to the Immigration Department of the Police Headquarters for an extension. Visitors who stay longer than the expiry date without an extension of stay will be given a notice of “visa penalty” fine at the port of departure. The fine will be paid by the visitor at the re-entry to the TRNC.

 

It is within the discretion of the Council of Ministers to decide which third country nationals are required to obtain a visa before arriving to North Cyprus. In this context, citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Arab Republic of Syria are required to obtain a visa from North Cyprus. Representative Offices abroad by declaring the purpose of their visit to the North Cyprus.

Other third country nationals may be granted a visa up to 90 days (depending on the purpose of visit) at the designated ports and border crossings, if they can prove that they will leave the country within the specified period and they fulfil other conditions stipulated in this Regulation.

The length of stay granted at the designated ports and border crossings of North Cyprus cannot exceed 90 days within a period of 180 days.

No visa is required from those who have legal residence status in the country or have a residence permit exemption pursuant to Article 12. It is within the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the designated ports and border crossings to grant permission to enter the country. He is entitled to ask for supporting information and documents regarding the request to enter the country. Comprehensive controls can be carried out by the responsible unit.

 

FOREIGNERS WHO WILL ENTER NORTH CYPRUS BY PRESENTING THEIR PASSPORTS NEED TO CHECK THE EXPIRY DATE OF THEIR PASSPORTS

 

The Regulation on Residence Permits and Visas, which entered into force on 23 October 2019, stipulates that the citizens of the countries that have a representative office in North Cyprus and the citizens of the EU countries must have a passport valid for at least 2 months and the citizens of other countries must have a passport valid for at least 6 months to be able to apply for a visa upon the arrival to the country.

 

VISA TYPES GRANTED BY NORTH CYPRUS

 

TOURIST VISA

 

Those who come to the country for a touristic visits and will stay at a hotel or other accommodation facility and those who have rented a dwelling for this purpose and declare this, can be issued a visa for a maximum of 30 days. If they can submit documents showing that a prior payment has been made for accommodation, a visa up to 90 days may be granted.

A visa up to 60 days can be granted to those who arrives in the country for the purpose of family/relative visit and stay in a relative's house.

A visa up to 90 days may be issued to those who come for official visits, business meetings, conferences, seminars, meetings, festivals, fairs, exhibitions, sporting events, cultural and artistic events, health tourism and similar purposes.

 

INTERNSHIP, COURSE, EXCHANGE PROGRAM, IN-SERVICE TRAINING VISA

 

Foreigners who wish to enter the country for internships, courses, student exchange programs and in-service trainings can be issued a visa for up to 90 days provided that they can submit the relevant documents.

 

WORK PERMIT VISA

 

It is granted for a period of 30 days to foreigners who have come to the country with a preliminary permit in accordance with the Law on Work Permits of Foreigners. The citizens of the countries who does not have an embassy, consulate or another representative office in North Cyprus are required to have a passport valid for at least 2 years to be able to apply for a visa.

 

BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT VISA

 

Foreigners who come to the country for the purpose of starting a business can be issued a visa for a period of 30 days provided that they have the fund to start a business.

 

RESIDENCE PERMIT VISA

The following types of visas may be issued to foreigners who will enter the country in order to apply for one of the residence permit types.

• Visa for Family Residence Permit: Foreigners who will apply for a family residence permit can be given a visa for this purpose up to 90 days upon their arrival.
• Visa Due to Ownership of Immovable Property: A visa can be issued up to 90 days for those who have a title deed document indicating that they own immovable property.
• Visa for Student Residence Permit Application: Foreigners who come to the country to obtain a student residence permit may be granted a 60-day visa upon submission of a student registration or pre-registration certificate.
• Visa for Judicial and Administrative purposes: Those who come to the country upon the request or decisions of judicial or administrative authorities may be granted a valid visa for the term of their duty.
• Visa for Scientific Research: Those who come to the country for scientific research purposes may be granted a valid visa for the duration of the research.
• Visa for Graduates from Universities in the Country: Students who have studied and graduated from any of the two-year higher education programs or have studied at least 3 years in any of the four-year higher education programs in the TRNC can be granted a visa valid for thirty days.

 

VISA TYPES AND TERMS TABLE

 

TOURIST VISIT: 30 DAYS (UP TO 90 DAYS IF A PAID HOTEL RESERVATION IS PROVIDED)

FAMILY / RELATIVE VISIT: MAXIMUM 60 DAYS

OFFICIAL VISIT, BUSINESS MEETING, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR, MEETING, FESTIVAL, FAIR, EXHIBITION, SPORTS EVENT, CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC EVENT,
HEALTH TOURISM: UP TO 90 DAYS

INTERNSHIP, COURSE, EXCHANGE PROGRAM, IN-SERVICE TRAINING: UP TO 90 DAYSWORK PERMIT VISA:30 DAYS
BUSINESS PERMISSION VISA: 30 DAYS
RESIDENCE PERMIT VISA: UP TO 90 DAYS