Cyprus has been a member state of the European Union (EU) since 2004. However, the country is not a member state of the Schengen area (but it is actively working to enter the Schengen system). It must be noted that not all EU member states must automatically be members of the Schengen area, as specific conditions must be satisfied. Thus, foreigners cannot apply for a Schengen visa in Cyprus at this moment.
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Residency rights
This visa type can only be used for short-term stays (of up to 90 days) and it can’t be used as a legal pathway for obtaining a Cyprus permanent residence permit. As a holder of a Schengen visa, a foreigner is not required to apply for a residence permit in Cyprus, due to the limited amount of time the visa is valid for.
The Cyprus immigration law allows foreigners to use the Schengen visa for Cyprus-related visits, which can have the purpose of visiting the country, visiting family members, visiting friends or other purposes for which the Schengen visa can be obtained in any of the member states.
Our Cyprus immigration lawyers can present more information on the applicable regulations. If you want details on other visa categories or how to receive Cypriot citizenship, our lawyer remains at your disposal.
What is the current status of Cyprus with regards to the Schengen area?
Cyprus is a member state of the EU and a member of the Eurozone, but it is not included in the Schengen area. This means that the Schengen visa for Cyprus cannot be obtained by foreigners, at the moment.
The application made by the Cypriot authorities is currently being analyzed by EU officials and, if the documents submitted to the EU representatives will provide sufficient evidence that the country is able to implement the procedures applicable at the level of the Schengen zone, it will receive a positive answer.
Provided that the evaluation will receive a positive answer, foreigners traveling to this country will be able to apply for a Schengen visa in Cyprus.
At the moment (2026), the Cypriot authorities have made significant progress leading to access to the Schengen area. According to the latest information provided by the country’s president, Cyprus is actively engaged in completing the technical procedures that will grant access into the Schengen area, which are expected to be completed in 2026 or, the latest, in 2027.
Once this procedure is completed, those moving to Cypruswill benefit from simpler immigration formalities. It is expected that the implementation of the system will have a positive impact on tourism, business travel and academic visits and that, overall, will benefit the Cypriot society.
What is the Cyprus immigration law for Schengen visas?
Persons who are citizens of the EU or of any of the Schengen states do not need to obtain a visa to visit Cyprus. However, other categories of individuals have to apply for a visa when arriving here, which is also a legal requirement for non-EU citizens who want to visit EU states or the Schengen states.
In the case of third-country nationals who are legally required to obtain a visa when entering the Schengen area, it must be noted that the Cyprus immigration legislation does not require them to apply for additional documents.
This means that if a person has obtained a short-term visa which allows the right to reside on a definite basis in a Schengen state (or in more Schengen states), then the respective person can use the Schengen visa for Cyprus as well. The foreigner can stay in Cyprus for the overall period for which the visa is valid.
The same right is available for persons who have the status of refugees, as per the regulations of the United Nations Convention relating to Refugees of 28 July 1951. This regulation can apply as long as the foreign refugee has obtained a travel document issued by the EU authorities or by a member state of the Schengen area. In this case, they can use the Schengen visa in Cyprus.
Our Cyprus immigration lawyers can present more information on the rights refugees have when relocating to this country.
What is the equivalent of the Schengen visa in Cyprus?
While the Cypriot immigration authorities can’t issue a Schengen visa, an immigration document necessary for short-term stays for non-EU/non-EEA foreigners (unless exempted), the local legislation prescribes a similar visa, that has similar traits, the Type C visa.
The Type C visa is a national visa issued for short-term stays of up to 90 days in a period of 180 days. Those who want to arrive for short-term stays are recommended to initiate the visa application with at least 15 days prior to their intended arrival in the country, as this is the general visa processing time.
Any foreigner interested in relocating to Cyprus for a longer period of time is invited to address our Cyprus immigration lawyersfor information on the visa options and the conditions that must be fulfilled.
How many Schengen visas were issued to foreigners?
The Schengen visa is one of the most common immigration documents requested by foreigners who want to visit the Schengen states.
The number of visas issued by the European authorities increases from one year to another and it must be noted that foreigners can use the Schengen visa for Cyprus starting 2014, when the country’s authorities accepted this document as a valid document, recognized under the Cyprus immigration law.
Concerning the issuance of this visa type, we mention the following:
- in 2024, at a global level (including the visa applications made through consulates), there were 11,7 million applications for Schengen visas, marking an increase of 13,6% compared to the previous year;
- from the total number of requests, the EU authorities granted 9,7 million Schengen visas to eligible applicants;
- more than 50% of the visas issued were granted as multiple entry documents, allowing foreigners to enter the EU/Schengen territory multiple times during the validity of the visa;
- the largest number of visas were issued to Chinese nationals, accounting for more than 1,7 million;
- 2024 marked an important year for the Schengen system, as 2 new EU countries became Schengen states – Romania and Bulgaria.
Obtaining citizenship in Cyprus
Cypriot citizenshipcan be acquired when a person goes through the process of naturalization or by having Cypriot descendance. There is also the possibility to become a citizen through marriage with a Cypriot national. Of course, for each of these 3 legal pathways the law prescribes different procedures the foreigners must comply with. Naturalization is the longest procedure for acquiring citizenship.
When a person will apply for citizenship through naturalization, it will be necessary to be the holder of a residency permit in Cyprus issued on a permanent basis. The person must provide evidence on living here for minimum 7 years at the moment of the application.
This is one of the most important requirements, amongst many others (having a permanent place of residence, providing evidence of income, etc.).
Please contact our Cyprus immigration lawyers for additional information on the types of visas that are available under the Cypriot law. Our lawyers can present more details on the legal grounds for which a person can use his or her Schengen visa in Cyprus.
