The northern part of the island of Cyprus has launched its new electronic visa system. Initially, nationals of Armenia, Nigeria and Syria are covered by the online process, which replaces the consular visa previously required before travel.
Northern Cyprus is taking another step toward digitizing its entry procedures with the rollout of an electronic visa (e-Visa) system, initially available to nationals of three countries.
Geopolitical contextSome geopolitical context is important when referring to this destination. In this article, the term “Northern Cyprus” refers to the northern part of the island administered de facto by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), proclaimed in 1983 and recognized as a state only by Turkey.
In its Resolution 541, adopted in 1983, the United Nations Security Council deemed the TRNC’s declaration of independence legally invalid and called on states not to recognize any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus.
The entire island has also legally been part of the European Union since the Republic of Cyprus joined the bloc in 2004. However, as the European Commission notes, EU law is suspended in the northern part of the island, where the government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control.
The new electronic travel requirement is therefore being introduced by the Turkish Cypriot administration in the northern part of the island.
Following an initial official announcement by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel on August 23, 2026, the system was formally established the following day through several measures published in Official Gazette No. 154 of August 24, 2026.
The issue includes the new electronic visa regulations, amendments to rules governing visas and residence permits, the designation of the first nationalities covered by the system, and the applicable visa fees.
An official e-Visa application portal is also now online under the authority of the Muhaceret Dairesi Müdürlüğü, Northern Cyprus’ immigration department.
Three nationalities initially covered
The new system for the northern part of Cyprus initially applies to nationals of three countries:
- Armenia;
- Nigeria;
- Syria.
Until now, nationals of these three countries were required to obtain a visa before traveling through a Northern Cyprus embassy, representative office or consulate.
In his August 23 announcement, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said this consular visa procedure would be eliminated for nationalities brought under the new electronic system.
Applications can now be reviewed in advance by immigration authorities. Depending on the purpose of travel, officials may also seek input from the police or other government agencies, allowing security and eligibility checks to begin before the traveler arrives.
US, British, Canadian and Australian travelers are not affected by the new e-Visa requirement. For now, the procedure applies exclusively to Armenian, Nigerian and Syrian nationals.
The Northern Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ visa regulations page states that nationals of other countries may, subject to meeting entry requirements, receive permission to stay from immigration authorities at ports of entry.
How does the Northern Cyprus e-Visa work?
The new e-Visa portal, kktc-evize.gov.ct.tr, allows applicants to complete the process online.
Applicants first fill out a form providing information including their passport details, contact information and travel plans.
The process presented by the authorities involves three steps: submitting the application online, making payment after approval, and then retrieving the e-Visa through the system.
Once an application has been approved, the traveler can pay the required fee online. After processing is complete, the e-Visa becomes available through the platform to view and download before departure.
Three main visa categories are currently available through the portal:
- tourist visa, for vacations, cultural visits or visits to relatives and friends;
- student visa, for applicants admitted to a higher education institution in Northern Cyprus;
- other visas, including business travel, events, medical treatment and official visits.
For tourist visas, the official platform currently lists an average processing time of 3 to 5 business days.
The regulations nevertheless provide for a broader legal timeframe: applications should generally be processed within a maximum of 30 days, with the possibility of extending that period to 60 days when required for administrative reasons.
The government says the new system will allow authorities to carry out the necessary checks before travelers arrive, rather than beginning those checks only at the border.
e-Visas cost between $40 and $120
Decision Ü(K-I) 1743-2026, also published in the Official Gazette on August 24, 2026, sets the fees applicable to travelers covered by the new system.
Under the decision, the fees are:
- single-entry e-Visa: $40;
- urgent, VIP or express single-entry e-Visa: $80;
- multiple-entry e-Visa: $80;
- urgent, VIP or express multiple-entry e-Visa: $120.
Fees are paid online.
For tourism, the regulations allow authorities to issue either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, depending on the application and the authorities’ decision. Travelers entering in connection with a work permit or residence permit, however, must be issued a single-entry visa.
As with a conventional visa, holding an e-Visa does not provide an absolute guarantee of admission. Immigration officers may carry out additional checks at the port of entry and may refuse entry when appropriate.
Regulations are now in place, but not all official pages have been updated
The rollout has moved quickly since the government’s August 23 announcement.
Official Gazette No. 154 of August 24, 2026 now contains the main legal measures needed to operate the system:
- A.E.783, the e-Visa regulation;
- A.E.784, amending the regulation governing residence permits and visas;
- Ü(K-I) 1740-2026, concerning the e-Visa regulation;
- Ü(K-I) 1741-2026, concerning amendments to residence permit and visa regulations;
- Ü(K-I) 1742-2026, designating Armenia, Nigeria and Syria;
- Ü(K-I) 1743-2026, setting visa fees.
There is still, however, a discrepancy between different Turkish Cypriot government webpages.
As of August 25, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus still states that Armenian, Nigerian and Syrian nationals must personally submit their applications to a consular office before traveling.
That information reflects the previous procedure and has apparently not yet been updated to take into account the regulations published on August 24 and the launch of the new e-Visa portal.
The system is therefore starting with three nationalities, but its regulatory framework allows the government to add other countries to the list of travelers subject to the electronic procedure in the future.
VisasNews Take
The e-Visa introduced in northern Cyprus is not a new requirement for all foreign visitors. Initially, it replaces the consular visa procedure that applied to nationals of Armenia, Nigeria and Syria. US, British, Canadian and Australian travelers are therefore not affected by the measure. The publication of the regulations in the Official Gazette and the launch of the official portal nevertheless mark the concrete rollout of a system that could later be extended to additional nationalities by government decision.