Cypriot business travellers who are used to paying for an on-arrival “sticker” visa at Istanbul, Antalya or other Turkish gateways have just days left before the facility disappears for good. In a notice published late on 27 December, Ankara confirmed that, effective 2 January 2026, holders of Republic of Cyprus passports must obtain an electronic visa in advance or apply in person at a Turkish embassy or consulate. The long-standing sticker option—introduced in the 1990s as a pragmatic workaround during periods of political chill—will be abolished entirely.
For corporate mobility managers the change is more than procedural. About 80,000 Cypriot nationals entered Turkey in 2025 for tourism, shipping and construction projects; many relied on the simplicity of paying at the border. Advance authorisation now means building extra lead-time into itineraries, checking that travellers have a valid credit card and a passport with at least six months’ validity, and budgeting for the current US $60 e-visa fee. Travellers without an e-visa risk airline boarding denials or being refused entry on arrival.
![Turkey Ends On-Arrival Sticker Visa for Cypriot Passports; E-Visa Mandatory from 2 January 2026]()
In this context, Cypriot companies may find it faster and safer to outsource the formalities to VisaHQ. Through its dedicated Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/), the provider offers step-by-step e-visa applications, document pre-checks and real-time status updates, while also arranging courier submissions for those who still need a consular sticker. The service can minimise rejected applications and free up mobility staff for other priorities.
Immigration advisers warn that the alternative—an embassy-issued multiple-entry visa—can take more than two weeks, jeopardising urgent mobilisation of engineers and auditors to Turkish worksites. Firms with rotating crews in Istanbul, Ankara or Izmir are being urged to keep spare personnel on standby or to route meetings through Athens or Dubai until the new system beds in. Contingency planning is especially critical for sectors such as shipping, where crews often change at short notice.
Diplomats read the move as part of Turkey’s broader border-digitisation strategy and its stalled bid for EU visa-liberalisation rather than a direct response to Cyprus’ push to join Schengen in 2026. Nonetheless, the requirement will place Cypriot citizens on the same footing as most other non-EU travellers to Turkey and underscores a regional trend toward pre-travel screening. Mobility teams should update policy documents immediately, circulate e-visa application guides, and remind travellers that the online process usually takes 24 hours but can stretch longer during public-holiday peaks.
For corporate mobility managers the change is more than procedural. About 80,000 Cypriot nationals entered Turkey in 2025 for tourism, shipping and construction projects; many relied on the simplicity of paying at the border. Advance authorisation now means building extra lead-time into itineraries, checking that travellers have a valid credit card and a passport with at least six months’ validity, and budgeting for the current US $60 e-visa fee. Travellers without an e-visa risk airline boarding denials or being refused entry on arrival.
In this context, Cypriot companies may find it faster and safer to outsource the formalities to VisaHQ. Through its dedicated Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/), the provider offers step-by-step e-visa applications, document pre-checks and real-time status updates, while also arranging courier submissions for those who still need a consular sticker. The service can minimise rejected applications and free up mobility staff for other priorities.
Immigration advisers warn that the alternative—an embassy-issued multiple-entry visa—can take more than two weeks, jeopardising urgent mobilisation of engineers and auditors to Turkish worksites. Firms with rotating crews in Istanbul, Ankara or Izmir are being urged to keep spare personnel on standby or to route meetings through Athens or Dubai until the new system beds in. Contingency planning is especially critical for sectors such as shipping, where crews often change at short notice.
Diplomats read the move as part of Turkey’s broader border-digitisation strategy and its stalled bid for EU visa-liberalisation rather than a direct response to Cyprus’ push to join Schengen in 2026. Nonetheless, the requirement will place Cypriot citizens on the same footing as most other non-EU travellers to Turkey and underscores a regional trend toward pre-travel screening. Mobility teams should update policy documents immediately, circulate e-visa application guides, and remind travellers that the online process usually takes 24 hours but can stretch longer during public-holiday peaks.
