If you look beyond the gorgeous stretches of sun-drenched pristine beaches and picturesque vineyards joining with mountains blanketed with pine trees, you will see a destination that is not just known for its postcard landscapes but also for its history and antique treasures.
Divided smack in the middle, Cyprus has two Cypriot populations, the Turkish Cypriot in the North and the Greek Cypriot in the South. Similarities of these two include all Cypriot traditions and culture while the difference is only their belief. No matter which side of Cyprus you are in the food culture, folk traditions, strong family bonds and generous Cypriot hospitality will captivate you.
Mediterranean climate and pleasant sun is enough to attract any holiday-seeker. But, Cyprus is not limited to that. Apart from having a variety of beaches that range from wild to family-friendly it offers every imaginable water-sport. Once you have tried scuba diving, kite surfing and surfing travel to the central region for winter skiing, hiking or trekking across pine-studded mountains, wildflower meadows and vineyard valleys.
For all the myth and history buffs, Cyprus is steeped in it. Being the birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite and attractions The passport you hold and it's originating country is the deciding criteria of whether you are eligible for a on-arrival or pre-arrival visa.
What is the allowed stay duration in Cyprus for individuals with electronic authorization?
The stay duration allowed for the above countries are 90 days
The countries eligible for a Cyprus on-arrival visa are:
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1. All European Union Citizens |
13. Hong kong |
25. Peru |
|
2. Andorra |
14. Iceland |
26. Panama |
|
3. Argentina |
15. Israel |
27. Paraguay |
|
4. Australia |
16. Jamaica |
28. Palau |
|
5. Brunei |
17. Japan |
29. Singapore |
|
6. Barbados |
18. Liechtenstein |
30. San marino |
|
7. Bahamas |
19. Marshal Island's |
31. South Korea |
|
8. Belize |
20. Macau |
32. Trinidad and Tobago |
|
9. Brazil |
21. Malaysia |
33. USA |
|
10. Costa Rica |
22. Micronesia |
34. Uruguay |
|
11. Chile |
23. Monaco |
35. Vatican city |
|
12. Canada |
24. New Zealand |
36. Venezuela |
What is the allowed stay duration in Cyprus for on-arrival visa holders?
The allowed stay duration for on-arrival visa holders is 90 days (unless specified otherwise).
Pre-arrival Visa
If your passport doesn't belong to any of the above mentioned countries, you need to apply for the pre-arrival visa. Keep reading the blog to get an idea of the neccesary documents and the procedures of obtaining a pre-arrival Cyprus visa from UAE.
Cyprus pre-arrival visas have been categorized in to two types to suit the traveller’s requirements. They are:
Business
Ideal for all entrepreneurs, businessmen and investors traveling to Cyprus for trade, investment or Business reasons
Tourism
This category is suitable for tourists and individuals visiting their family or friends living in Cyprus.
Two criteria that cause price fluctuations of your Cyprus visa are the age of the applicant and the visa type they are applying for. The visa fee has to be paid to get a Cyprus visa and will not be refunded at any cost even if the visa gets rejected. Additionally, Al qaswa also charges AED 200 for assistance throughout the visa process
For a successful Cyprus visa application process from UAE, the Cyprus Embassy requires the applicant to hand over the following supporting documents along with the visa application form.
Required documents for Cyprus pre-arrival visa when applying from UAE
Please note that if any of these documents are in Arabic, they need to be translated in to English.
having at least 2 blank pages and a validity period of at least 6 months, Applicant should be a resident in UAE for at least 6 months.
Fully filled visa application form in block letters
Copy of passport’s first page and all other valid visa pages
recent passport size color photograph in white background not older than 6 months and applicant’s head should be uncovered
original personal bank statements for the past 3 months, stamped by the Bank
The applicant is advised not to purchase his/her travel ticket to Cyprus before having his/her application approved and the visa issued.
if travelling with family members, eg marriage certificate, birth certificate and copies of each document.
addressed to the Embassy, including the employer’s full name, complete address and telephone number, regarding the applicant’s position, income, date of recruitment. Business owners/Partners should provide letter from the company and copy of trade license
What is the duration of the visa process?
The visa process duration might vary between 7 to 10 working days.
Is hotel booking and insurance mandatory for getting a Cyprus visa?
Yes, both are compulsory. Hotel booking is an important criteria for your visa to go through processing. Insurance is important for the applicant's safety to cover in case of sudden injuries or natural disasters while in Cyprus.
What do I do if the visa gets delayed by the embassy?
When you are submitting the supporting documents you will receive a receipt by the embassy with their contact number. You can call that number and check the cause of the delay.
Can the visa fee be refunded if the visa gets rejected?
No, the visa fee is not refundable.
Do minors need to be accompanied by parents while travelling to Cyprus?
Yes, minors (individuals below 18 years) have to be accompanied by a parents or guardian unless both parents have issued an NOC letter stating their approval of the child’s travel without either of them. The NOC has to be attached with the other supporting documents along with copies of both parents passports and submitted.
What is the usual procedure when applying for a Cyprus visit visa from UAE?
The above mentioned supporting documents have to be submitted to the Al qaswa visa consultant who is assisting you with the Cyprus visa. The below mentioned procedures will be followed upon submission of supporting documents.
Pay the Cyprus visa fee and the visa consultation fee, both of which are mandatory
Your documents will be checked by your visa consultant. You can also ask any questions you have and discuss about the most suitable visa type for you.
The Cyprus visa application form will be filled and all documents will be rechecked.
You will receive an appointment date to submit the visa application and the supporting documents to the Cyprus Embassy.
The visa issue procedure begins.
You will receive a notification when your visa is ready for collection.
Collect your passport with the stamped Cyprus visa.
The processing duration may fluctuate between 7 to 10 working days.
Mexico is home to 34 UNESCO world heritage sites. You could be observing butterflies gathering at Monarch butterfly reserve in the morning, head to El Vizcaino (biggest biosphere reserve) in the afternoon or admire the colonial city of San Miguel de Allende. Mexico is not as drug-infested as we think it is. The townsare actually safe and very tourist friendly.
Stick to lightweight material
Mexico is hot throughout the year and hotter in summer so stick to clothes made of natural fabrics like linen or cotton.
Lots of souvenir choices
Local handicrafts, tequila, talavera pottery, handmade hammocks, mexican cinnamon,chocolate, leatherbags and wool blankets ate some of the many souvenirs you can take back.
Abundant choices of desert and food
Tacos arent the only mouthwatering delicacy of mexico. Mole Poblano, Tamales and tortas are some of the common food. Head to the Yucatan for dishes influenced by the Mayan and introduce yourself to some mouthwatering food. Just like mexican food, mexican desserts will steal the limelight anywhere they go. Think churro, pan dulce, tres leche and flan. Is your mouth watering?
Safe and Cheap travel by buses
Clean, on time and safe are few words to describe the bus system in Mexico. Buses on express routes have executive and first class with comfortable seats, AC, movies and less stops. Local route buse have second class and make more stops.
Stay away from tap water
Even the locals steer away from using tap water. Dont use it to brush your teeth and be wary of ice in restaurant beverages.
Best and cheapest time to visit
Anytime between late spring and early fall are ideal for budget travellers. Christmas and New Year are regarded as the crowd season and is also expensive. If you plan on visiting coastal areas don't go from June to October as it is the hurricane season.
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