Starting 2 January 2026, Cypriot citizens can no longer purchase a so-called “sticker” visa at Turkish airports, seaports or land borders. Ankara has withdrawn the on-arrival option and now requires holders of Republic of Cyprus passports to secure an entry permit online through Turkey’s e-visa portal or in person at a Turkish embassy or consulate.
The change ends a decades-old concession that allowed Greek-Cypriot holiday-makers and business travellers to obtain a visa at the immigration desk for about €25. Turkish officials say the move is part of a wider digitalisation drive that has already replaced sticker visas for most nationalities, but diplomats in Nicosia interpret the timing as political—coming just six months before Cyprus chairs the EU Council and amid stalled reunification talks.
Practically, travellers must now apply at least 48 hours before departure, upload a passport copy, pay the US-dollar-denominated fee by credit card, and print or download the PDF permit. Processing is usually instant, but high demand ahead of Orthodox Easter or the summer season could create delays, so travel managers are being advised to build in a longer lead time.
![Turkey Abolishes Sticker Visa for Cypriot Passports—E-Visa Now Mandatory]()
Cypriot applicants who prefer a streamlined experience can enlist the help of VisaHQ, whose specialists pre-check documents, fill out Turkey’s e-visa form and track approvals on the client’s behalf—often within hours. Full details on the service are available at https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/.
Importantly, the new rule does not affect Turkish-Cypriots carrying passports of the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC); they will continue to enter Turkey visa-free. Multinational employers with mixed Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot staff therefore face a new layer of differential treatment when organising cross-border meetings or ship-management crew changes in Istanbul or Izmir.
Immigration advisers also warn that overstaying an e-visa attracts heavier fines than the old sticker regime and could jeopardise future entries. Companies should update their travel policies immediately and remind employees that boarding may be denied by airlines if an e-visa confirmation is absent.
The change ends a decades-old concession that allowed Greek-Cypriot holiday-makers and business travellers to obtain a visa at the immigration desk for about €25. Turkish officials say the move is part of a wider digitalisation drive that has already replaced sticker visas for most nationalities, but diplomats in Nicosia interpret the timing as political—coming just six months before Cyprus chairs the EU Council and amid stalled reunification talks.
Practically, travellers must now apply at least 48 hours before departure, upload a passport copy, pay the US-dollar-denominated fee by credit card, and print or download the PDF permit. Processing is usually instant, but high demand ahead of Orthodox Easter or the summer season could create delays, so travel managers are being advised to build in a longer lead time.
Cypriot applicants who prefer a streamlined experience can enlist the help of VisaHQ, whose specialists pre-check documents, fill out Turkey’s e-visa form and track approvals on the client’s behalf—often within hours. Full details on the service are available at https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/.
Importantly, the new rule does not affect Turkish-Cypriots carrying passports of the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC); they will continue to enter Turkey visa-free. Multinational employers with mixed Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot staff therefore face a new layer of differential treatment when organising cross-border meetings or ship-management crew changes in Istanbul or Izmir.
Immigration advisers also warn that overstaying an e-visa attracts heavier fines than the old sticker regime and could jeopardise future entries. Companies should update their travel policies immediately and remind employees that boarding may be denied by airlines if an e-visa confirmation is absent.
