President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s state visit to Cyprus has produced a memorandum of understanding that will see new direct routes between Larnaca, Pafos, Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as joint destination marketing and the exploration of cruise itineraries linking Limassol and Dubai.
Critically for the mobility sector, the MoU commits both governments to design “aligned visa-facilitation measures aimed at high-spending leisure and business travellers”. Officials did not specify whether this means a future visa-waiver or simply streamlined e-visa processing, but Cypriot tourism minister Kostas Koumis told reporters that “fast-track entry lanes for UAE nationals and residents” are under study.
For travellers and mobility managers eager to capitalise on any upcoming streamlined entry schemes, VisaHQ can smooth the process by offering real-time visa guidance, document checks and application submission for both UAE and Cypriot travel. Their portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) tracks bilateral policy updates as they happen, making it easy for leisure visitors and corporate assignees to secure the right permits without unexpected delays.
![UAE and Cyprus agree to expand flights and coordinate visa-facilitation in new tourism MoU]()
Cyprus attracted 4.2 million visitors in 2024, 110,000 of whom were UAE residents according to tour-operator data. Improved connectivity could double that figure and make Cyprus a popular ‘visa-run’ alternative once the UAE fully abolishes border-exit renewals. The pact also has implications for multinational firms with dual offices: easier flight schedules shorten commute times for regional staff and support split-location assignments.
Companies should monitor the forthcoming bilateral aviation agreement that will set seat quotas and may trigger fare adjustments. Global-mobility teams should also prepare for potential reciprocal arrangements giving Cypriot professionals preferential access to UAE long-term residence programmes such as the Golden Visa.
The deal underscores the UAE’s broader strategy of using targeted visa-facilitation to cement its role as a Middle-East gateway while helping partners like Cyprus diversify tourism revenue beyond traditional EU markets.
Critically for the mobility sector, the MoU commits both governments to design “aligned visa-facilitation measures aimed at high-spending leisure and business travellers”. Officials did not specify whether this means a future visa-waiver or simply streamlined e-visa processing, but Cypriot tourism minister Kostas Koumis told reporters that “fast-track entry lanes for UAE nationals and residents” are under study.
For travellers and mobility managers eager to capitalise on any upcoming streamlined entry schemes, VisaHQ can smooth the process by offering real-time visa guidance, document checks and application submission for both UAE and Cypriot travel. Their portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) tracks bilateral policy updates as they happen, making it easy for leisure visitors and corporate assignees to secure the right permits without unexpected delays.
Cyprus attracted 4.2 million visitors in 2024, 110,000 of whom were UAE residents according to tour-operator data. Improved connectivity could double that figure and make Cyprus a popular ‘visa-run’ alternative once the UAE fully abolishes border-exit renewals. The pact also has implications for multinational firms with dual offices: easier flight schedules shorten commute times for regional staff and support split-location assignments.
Companies should monitor the forthcoming bilateral aviation agreement that will set seat quotas and may trigger fare adjustments. Global-mobility teams should also prepare for potential reciprocal arrangements giving Cypriot professionals preferential access to UAE long-term residence programmes such as the Golden Visa.
The deal underscores the UAE’s broader strategy of using targeted visa-facilitation to cement its role as a Middle-East gateway while helping partners like Cyprus diversify tourism revenue beyond traditional EU markets.
