A long-running travel dispute between Ankara and Nicosia eased on 10 May 2026 when Turkish authorities lifted entry restrictions that had barred at least 15 citizens of the Republic of Cyprus from entering Turkey. The individuals had reportedly been placed on the N-82 ‘pre-clearance’ list or the G-82 outright-ban list, measures that Ankara uses to restrict entry on security grounds. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman announced the decision at a press conference, saying those affected had been personally notified. The move follows four years of quiet shuttle diplomacy involving Turkish Cypriot officials, the UN and European intermediaries. While relatively small in number, the bans had become a flash-point for businesspeople, academics and civil-society figures who rely on Istanbul’s air connections for regional travel. Lifting the prohibitions removes an administrative headache for Cypriot companies whose executives were suddenly unable to attend meetings, conferences or supply-chain inspections in Turkey. Travel managers should nevertheless continue to vet passenger lists, as Turkish authorities keep the right to reinstate individual restrictions without notice.
![Turkey removes entry bans affecting more than 15 Cypriot nationals]()
For organisations that want additional peace of mind, VisaHQ’s Cyprus platform (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) provides real-time visa requirement updates, application processing and concierge support, helping travellers from Cyprus stay compliant with Turkey’s changing entry policies and any future reinstatements of the N-82 or G-82 lists.
Observers see the decision as a goodwill gesture ahead of exploratory talks on confidence-building measures in the Eastern Mediterranean. Aviation analysts note that Cyprus–Turkey air links remain closed, so travellers must still route through third countries, but relaxed entry rules could accelerate proposals for limited charter services via Antalya. Employers with operations in both markets should brief affected staff, verify that any previous visa refusals are expunged from electronic systems, and monitor whether the Turkish Interior Ministry publishes broader guidance on the status of the N-82 and G-82 lists.
For organisations that want additional peace of mind, VisaHQ’s Cyprus platform (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) provides real-time visa requirement updates, application processing and concierge support, helping travellers from Cyprus stay compliant with Turkey’s changing entry policies and any future reinstatements of the N-82 or G-82 lists.
Observers see the decision as a goodwill gesture ahead of exploratory talks on confidence-building measures in the Eastern Mediterranean. Aviation analysts note that Cyprus–Turkey air links remain closed, so travellers must still route through third countries, but relaxed entry rules could accelerate proposals for limited charter services via Antalya. Employers with operations in both markets should brief affected staff, verify that any previous visa refusals are expunged from electronic systems, and monitor whether the Turkish Interior Ministry publishes broader guidance on the status of the N-82 and G-82 lists.
