Cyprus is a member of the European Union, but it is not part of the Schengen area. It issues its own national visa. For UAE residents this creates two very different routes: if you already hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, you can travel to Cyprus without a Cyprus visa. If you don’t, you apply for a Cyprus visa through VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and you should allow at least three weeks.
Checked on 21 October 2026 against the VFS Global Cyprus page for the UAE and the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sources at the end.
On this page
- Cyprus at a glance
- Do you need a Cyprus visa?
- Travelling on a Schengen visa
- Applying through VFS: step by step
- Documents
- Fees and processing time
- If you are refused
- Questions people ask
Cyprus at a glance
| Schengen member? | No. Cyprus is in the EU but issues its own national visa |
| UAE passport | No visa needed |
| Valid multiple-entry Schengen visa | No Cyprus visa needed |
| Everyone else | Cyprus visa through VFS Global, Dubai or Abu Dhabi |
| Who decides | Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, Abu Dhabi |
| Visa fee | AED 390 adult, AED 200 child aged 6–12, free under 6 |
| VFS service fee | AED 29 per applicant |
| Processing | At least 15 working days, up to 45 in some cases |
| Stay | Up to 90 days in 6 months, or as written on the visa |
Do you need a Cyprus visa?
Your passport decides whether you need a visa. Your UAE residence decides where you apply. Living in the UAE does not, on its own, exempt anyone from the Cyprus visa.
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Emirati passport | No visa |
| EU, UK, US and other passports that are visa-free for Cyprus | No visa |
| Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nigerian or other visa-required passport, with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa | No Cyprus visa (see the next section) |
| Visa-required passport, without a multiple-entry Schengen visa | Cyprus visa through VFS in the UAE |
| Syrian or Turkish passport | Apply directly at the Embassy of Cyprus in Abu Dhabi, not at VFS |
Travelling to Cyprus on a Schengen visa
Cyprus accepts valid Schengen visas for entry, so many UAE residents never need a Cyprus visa at all. VFS Global’s Cyprus page for the UAE states that holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa do not need a Cyprus visa.
Before you rely on it, check three things:
- It must be multiple entry. Look at the “Number of entries” field on the sticker. “MULT” qualifies. A single-entry visa is not covered by the VFS statement.
- It must be valid for your whole stay. If your Schengen visa expires on the third day of a five-day trip, you need a Cyprus visa.
- Your stay must fit the days the visa allows. Keep within the duration printed on the visa.
Your airline checks this at check-in in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Carry the passport that holds the Schengen visa, even if it has expired and you travel on a new passport.
Applying through VFS: step by step
- Check your timing. Submit at least 15 working days before travel. VFS also says you can apply only within 80 days of your return date from Cyprus, so do not apply too early either.
- Download the forms from the VFS Cyprus UAE page: the application form and, if someone in Cyprus is hosting you, the “Assumption of Responsibility for Hosting” form.
- Collect your documents (list below). Most must be dated within the last month.
- Book an appointment online with VFS Global for Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
- Attend in person and pay the visa fee and VFS fee by cash or card.
- Wait for the decision. Do not book non-refundable flights until your passport is back.
Documents
Use the latest checklist on the VFS site. A typical tourism file from the UAE includes:
- Passport and copies of its data page.
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Completed and signed application form.
- Photo taken in the last 6 months, 35–40 mm wide, white background, face filling 70–80% of the photo. Head covering only for religious reasons.
- Employees: an NOC or salary certificate with an original signature and company stamp. VFS does not accept copies, printouts or scans. See our NOC templates.
- Business partners or investors: NOC or salary certificate plus the company trade licence.
- Self-sponsored: an original signed letter explaining your visa status, travel dates and how you support yourself, plus any trade licence.
- Bank statements. See our bank statement guide.
- Flight reservation and hotel booking, or the hosting form if you stay with someone.
- Travel insurance. VFS lists insurance as required for Cyprus visas since 28 March 2023.
Single or multiple entry?
Most first-time applicants receive a single-entry visa. According to VFS, a multiple-entry Cyprus visa is normally given only if you have travelled to Cyprus three times in the last five years, or meet another condition such as being married to a Cypriot or owning property in Cyprus.
Fees and processing time
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa fee, adult (single or multiple entry) | AED 390 |
| Child aged 6–12 | AED 200 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| Nationals of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine | AED 160 |
| VFS service fee | AED 29 per applicant (VAT included) |
All fees are non-refundable and can change with the exchange rate. Standard processing is at least 15 working days and can take up to 45 working days. In summer, apply as early as the 80-day window allows.
If you are refused
VFS accepts appeals: you submit an appeal letter through VFS, and a reply usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. Read the refusal reason first. If the problem was a missing or unsigned document, a new application with the correct papers is often faster than an appeal.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a single-entry Schengen visa covers Cyprus.
- Submitting a scanned or printed NOC. It must carry an original signature and stamp.
- Documents older than one month.
- Flying into the northern part of the island. The Republic of Cyprus treats airports in the Turkish-controlled north as illegal points of entry. Fly into Larnaca or Paphos.
- Booking a hotel in the north. VFS warns about hotels on property belonging to displaced Greek Cypriots.
Questions people ask
Is Cyprus in the Schengen area?
No. Cyprus is an EU member but is not yet part of Schengen. A Cyprus visa does not let you visit Schengen countries.
Can I visit Cyprus with a UAE residence visa only?
No. UAE residence does not exempt you. Unless your passport is visa-free or you hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, you need a Cyprus visa.
How much is a Cyprus visa in Dubai?
AED 390 for an adult plus AED 29 for VFS, so AED 419 in total. Children aged 6–12 pay AED 200 plus the VFS fee.
How long does a Cyprus visa take from the UAE?
At least 15 working days, and up to 45 working days in some cases.
Related guides
- Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE
- Greece Schengen visa from the UAE
- Travel insurance for visas from the UAE
- The Balkans with a US, UK or Schengen visa
Sources
- VFS Global — Cyprus visa information, UAE: vfsglobal.com
- Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa policy: mfa.gov.cy
- Decision No 565/2014/EU — recognition of Schengen documents by Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 21 October 2026. Found an error? Email [email protected] — it gets fixed and logged.