GENERAL INFO > CYPRUS INFO
Passports and visas (information on this subject is for informational purposes only)
Entry regulations apply only to the areas controlled by the Government of the Republic Cyprus.
1. Passport required, except for holders of:
- Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations
- Document issued to stateless persons and recognised refugees
- Further to the above, citizens of the European Union countries, as well as of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided there is a photo.
2. Visas
- List of third countries whose citizens are required to have a visa. States:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas (Islands), Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Entities and territorial authorities: Taiwan, Palestinian Authorities.
- No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days for all bona fide tourists nationals of the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holy See (State of Vatican), Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela.
C. Additional categories of persons who do NOT require visa:
- Holders of diplomatic, service or other official passports
- Civilian air and sea crew
- The flight crew and attendants on emergency or rescue flights and other helpers in the event of disaster or accident
- The civilian crew of ships navigating in international waters
- The holders of laissez-passer issued by the United Nations to their officials
- School pupils who are travelling in the context of a school excursion as members of a
- Group of pupils accompanied by a teacher from the school in question.
- All persons who are in possession of work permit issued by the Migration Officer.
- All persons who possess permanent or temporary residence permit issued by the Migration Officer.
- All persons who posses study permit.
Issue:
Visas will be issued by the Embassies and General Consulates of the Republic of Cyprus (see for the list at the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus: http: www.mfa.gov.cy).
D. Visa application procedure and documents required:
- Applications of all applicants are accepted regardless of nationality of the applicant.
- Applications must be submitted in person. However, for those who reside more than 200 miles or 300 km from the Consulate application may be submitted by recorded delivery enclosing a registered self addressed “special delivery” envelope for the safe return of passport and documents.
- One completed application form signed by the applicant (or legal guardian in the case of minors) with a passport sized photograph attached.
- A full national passport valid for at least three months longer than the validity of the visa being applied for. Visitors who wish to obtain a visa are advised to be in possession of a passport valid at least for 6 months beyond the period of intended stay.
- Visa for the return country must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay.
- Provisional Booking or Itinerary of travel arrangements (Round trip ticket with fixed dates). Ticket should not be purchased before the visa is issued.
- Prior Hotel Reservation faxed by the Hotel Manager.
- If visiting for business, an official letter of invitation from a Cyprus company must be presented.
- If visiting friends, a letter of invitation from the friends with their address, phone number and occupation in Cyprus.
- Evidence that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the intended stay in Cyprus, e.g. bank statement or travellers cheques (credit cards only in addition to bank statements and with recent statement confirming credit limit. Please note that cash is no acceptable proof).
- Recent (less than one month old) official letter from employer addressed to the Cyprus Consulate with proof of wages/salary. If self employed, a letter from the solicitor, the accountant or the bank manager of the applicant. If a student in the country of the Consulate, an original letter from the school or University addressed to the Cyprus Consulate confirming status/attendance and the duration of the course.
FOR MORE UPDATED INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE BELOW MENTIONED MINISTRY OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE:
Consular Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus,
Presidential Palace Avenue,
1447, Nicosia
CYPRUS
Tel: +357 22 401124 / 401131
Fax: +357 22 661881 / 665313 / 665778
E-mail: minforeign1@mfa.gov.cy
Website: http://www.mfa.gov.cy
3. Local Time
The time in Cyprus is 2 hours ahead of G.M.T.
4. Climate and Clothing
During the months of September and October, the weather in Cyprus is generally warm. Light jackets may be recommended for outdoor activities only at night. Average daytime temperatures for September/October are min. 23C and max. 26C.
5. First Aid and Hospitals
Medical care needs in Cyprus are met through:
1. Government General Hospitals
2. Private Clinics/Hospitals
Government General Hospitals and Private clinics/hospitals are mostly concentrated in urban areas, while health centres, sub-centres, and dispensaries function in the rural areas, providing a network to meet the medical needs of the whole population.
All Government General Hospitals as well as some private clinics have Accident and Emergency Departments for emergency cases.
Medical treatment and assistance is offered free of charge to international tourists in case of health emergencies at the Accident and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals/Institutions. Out-patient and in-patient treatment is provided against payment of the prescribed fees, except for EU citizens who produce form E111, issued by their country's health care authorities.
6. Electric Current – Voltage
The supply in Cyprus is 240 volts, a.c. 50Hz. Sockets are usually 13 amp, square-pin in most buildings.
More than one low current rating appliance may be operated from the same supply point, by using an adaptor (i.e. radios, electric clocks etc.).
The use of adaptors for operating high current rating appliances is not recommended (i.e. electric heaters, toasters, irons etc.)
Many hotels provide adaptors upon request from the reception. Adaptors can be purchased from electricians, supermarkets, grocery shops, etc.
Socket extensions can also be used (recommended instead of adaptors) and they can be purchased from electric stores and large supermarkets.
7. Currency Exchange/ Banking Hours / Credit Cards
As from 1 January 2008 the EURO is the official currency in Cyprus.
Convertible foreign currency may be exchanged at the airport, hotels, banks and exchange bureaus at the current exchange rates.
Commercial banks quote daily the exchange rates of the Cyprus Pound against all major foreign currencies.
Note
Only the following authorized dealers reporting to the Central Bank of Cyprus are allowed to deal in foreign currency:
- Bank of Cyprus Ltd
- Marfin Laiki Bank
- Hellenic Bank Ltd
- The National Bank of Greece (Cyprus) Ltd
- Arab Bank Plc
- Commercial Bank of Greece (Cyprus) Ltd
- Alpha Bank Limited
- Sociétè Général Cyprus Ltd
Banking hours for the public
May to September
Monday-Friday: 08:30 - 13:30
Banks are closed on weekends and public holidays.
Banks at Larnaca and Pafos International Airports provide exchange bureaux services on a 24-hour basis. There are also many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) outside most branches of banks in all towns.
Hotels, large shops and restaurants normally accept credit cards and traveller's cheques. Rates of exchange are published daily in the local press and are broadcasted through the media.
Credit Cards
Visitors in possession of any of the following international credit cards may contact the appropriate bank for the withdrawal of cash.
VISA CARD: Bank of Cyprus Ltd., Marfin Laiki Bank, Hellenic Bank, Alpha Bank Limited, National Bank of Greece, Arab Bank, Commercial Bank and Co-Op branches.
DINERS CLUB, CARTE BLANCHE: Bank of Cyprus Ltd.
MASTERCARD: Bank of Cyprus Ltd., Marfin Laiki Bank, National Bank of Greece, Hellenic Bank, Alpha Bank and Co-Op branches.
AMERICAN EXPRESS: Bank of Cyprus Ltd, Marfin Laiki Bank
More than 15.000 shops, restaurants and hotels accept at least one of the above Credit Cards. Establishments with P.O.S. accept also VISA ELECTRON and MAESTRO. Usually the Card symbol is displayed in the shop window or at the reception.
Euro cheques and travellers’ cheques are also accepted by all banks, shops, restaurants etc.
Lost Credit Cards
In case someone loses his credit card, he can call JCC Payment Systems Ltd.,
on +357 22 86 81 00 and at the same time contact his bank either in Cyprus or in his country.
For further information please apply directly to:
JCC Payment Systems Ltd.,
Tel : +357 22 86 81 00 (24 hours service)
Fax: +357 22 86 85 91, 22 86 81 11
8. Driving in Cyprus
Driving in Cyprus is most advisable as regular transport service is not available to all remote areas where many places of interest are to be found.
Fairly good surfaced roads complying with international traffic requirements link the towns and the various villages.
Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid International driving licence or their National driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.
European driving licenses are officially recognized.
9. Shopping Hours
SHOPPING HOURS
Winter Period (November 1 - March 31)
Mon, Tue, Thu: up to 19:30 hrs
Wednesday: up to 15:00 hrs
Friday: up to 20:00 hrs
Saturday: up to 19:00 hrs
Summer Period (April 1 - October 31)
Mon, Tue, Thu: up to 20:00 hrs
Wednesday: up to 15:00 hrs
Friday: up to 20:00 hrs
Saturday: up to 19:30 hrs
10. Larnaca-Limassol Airport Transfers
The distance from Larnaca Airport to Limassol is approx. 40 minutes.
There is an Airport Shuttle service available at the present rate of €7,00 per person. The service is available at approx. hourly intervals (the appropriate timetable will be published by the beginning of the New Year).
In the case where the arrival time is not convenient with this service, then individual or group transfers may be arranged through the secretariat of the Congress; these will be charged separately and they depend on the number of participants per transfer.
Any other information relating to Cyprus may be obtained through the Cyprus Tourist Organization official web site http://www.visitcyprus.com/wps/portal
