+90 539 145 13 12 info@clavistupbebek.com Nicosia / North Cyprus
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Patient Guide

Arriving in Cyprus and Visa Procedures

The good news: North Cyprus is one of the easiest destinations in the world to enter. You arrive from Turkey with an ID card and from Europe without a visa arranged in advance; for the vast majority of countries the entry permit is issued at the border, within minutes. In this guide you will find the entry conditions country by country, the passport requirements and the travel routes, all in one place.

Entry with an ID card from Turkey No advance visa from the EU Permit issued at the border Stay of up to 90 days
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The Short Answer

Is a visa required for the TRNC, or not?

For the vast majority of countries, no visa application is needed in advance. Under the visa policy of the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, only citizens of three countries — Syria, Nigeria and Armenia — need to apply in person at a TRNC mission and obtain a visa before travelling. For citizens of all other countries, the entry permit is issued on arrival (at the border) by the immigration officers at Ercan Airport and the border crossings.

Depending on the type of entry, the length of stay is up to 90 days within a 180-day period — more than enough for your 5-7 day IVF treatment programme. Citizens of Turkey and of EU/Schengen countries can also enter with a national ID card instead of a passport.

  • Advance visa application: only Syria, Nigeria, Armenia
  • All other countries: entry permit issued at the border
  • Turkey + EU/Schengen: entry with an ID card is possible
  • A typical treatment stay (5-7 days) is well within all limits

Please note: visa and entry rules are at the discretion of governments and can change. Before you travel, your patient coordinator confirms the current conditions for your nationality with you — official source: TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Entry Conditions Country by Country

From which country, with which document?

A summary of TRNC entry conditions for the countries our patients travel from most often.

Country / Region Advance Visa Valid Document Length of Stay
Turkey Not required Biometric ID card or passport Up to 90 days
Germany, France, the Netherlands and other EU / Schengen countries Not required — permit at the border ID card or passport (valid at least 2 months) Up to 90 days (within 180)
United Kingdom Not required — permit at the border Passport Up to 90 days (within 180)
Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Not required — permit at the border Passport (valid at least 6 months) 30-90 days depending on entry type
Other countries Not required — permit at the border Passport (at least 6 months' validity if no representation) 30-90 days depending on entry type
Syria, Nigeria, Armenia Required — apply in person at a TRNC mission Passport + visa obtained in advance Depending on visa type

On arrival, the immigration officer may ask for supporting documents such as accommodation details, a return ticket or the purpose of travel. For Clavis patients we prepare and send the invitation/accommodation letter confirming the treatment appointment before you travel.

Passport Rules

How valid must your passport be?

Citizenship Minimum Passport Validity Entry with ID Card
Turkey Valid for the duration of travel Yes — biometric ID card
EU member states At least 2 months Yes — national ID card
Other countries with a TRNC representation At least 2 months No — passport required
Countries without a TRNC representation At least 6 months No — passport required

The golden rule for passports: if you are unsure, aim for 6 months' validity — you will not run into problems in any scenario. For patients who prefer not to have an entry stamp in their passport, entry can, on request, be processed on a separate document instead.

From Europe and from Turkey

Reach Cyprus via two routes

Our clinic is in Nicosia; on both routes your welcome and transfer are arranged by Clavis.

Route 1 — Ercan Airport (via Turkey)

Flights to the TRNC's airport, Ercan, connect via Turkey. From Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir in particular, and many other cities, there are numerous daily services with Turkish Airlines (AJet) and Pegasus; the Istanbul-Ercan flight takes about 1.5 hours. Ercan is only 15-20 minutes from our clinic.

  • The fastest and most practical route for those arriving from Turkey
  • For those arriving from Europe there is an Istanbul connection; a single ticket with the same airline is recommended
  • At Ercan your Clavis driver meets you with a name board

Route 2 — Larnaca Airport + land crossing

There are many direct flights to Larnaca from European cities. The journey from Larnaca to the land crossing points into Nicosia takes about 45-60 minutes; passport/ID checks are carried out at the crossing. This route offers the advantage of a direct flight, especially for EU citizens. When crossing from the south, the Republic of Cyprus's own entry rules apply to third-country nationals — your coordinator recommends the smoothest option for your nationality when choosing the route.

  • Direct flights available from Europe
  • Transfer arrangement including Larnaca welcome and the land crossing
  • Crossing with an EU ID card is possible
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Your Travel Bag

What to have with you on entry

  • A valid passport or (for Turkish/EU citizens) an ID card
  • Your return or onward ticket
  • Accommodation details — we document your partner-hotel booking for you
  • Your Clavis treatment appointment / invitation letter (sent to you before travel)
  • Any previous tests and reports you have (for treatment; not requested on entry)

All of these documents are for routine checks; in practice our patients do not encounter problems on entry. Even so, before every trip your coordinator goes through a short checklist with you.

Clavis by Your Side

Your arrival, smooth in 4 steps

  1. 1

    Nationality & Document Check

    Your coordinator confirms your entry conditions based on your nationality; together you check the validity of your passport/ID card.

  2. 2

    Invitation & Accommodation Letter

    Documents confirming your treatment appointment and hotel booking are prepared and sent to you before travel.

  3. 3

    Flight & Route Plan

    We choose the option that suits you together — the Ercan route (via Turkey) or Larnaca (direct) — and arrange the transfers.

  4. 4

    Welcome & Entry

    Your permit is issued at the border on arrival; as you step out, your driver is waiting to take you to your hotel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What people ask about visas and entry

For any other questions on your mind, you can message us on our 24/7 WhatsApp line.

Ask a Question
Do I need a visa to enter North Cyprus (TRNC)?

No — citizens of the vast majority of countries do not need to apply for a visa in advance. For every nationality other than citizens of Syria, Nigeria and Armenia, the entry permit is issued on arrival by an immigration officer at the airport and border crossings. Citizens of Turkey and EU/Schengen countries can enter with a national ID card as well as a passport.

Do patients travelling from European countries need a visa?

No. Citizens of EU and Schengen countries travel to the TRNC without obtaining a visa in advance; the entry permit is issued at the border and a valid passport or national ID card is sufficient. You may stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period; a 5-7 day IVF treatment plan is well within this limit.

Can I enter the TRNC from Turkey with an ID card?

Yes. Citizens of the Republic of Turkey can enter the TRNC with a new-style biometric ID card or with a passport; no visa is required. You simply need to make sure your ID card is undamaged and valid before you fly.

How much validity should my passport have?

For citizens of EU countries and of countries with a TRNC representation, the passport must be valid for at least 2 months. For citizens of countries without a TRNC representation, at least 6 months' validity is required. Your coordinator will confirm the exact rule with you before you travel.

How do I fly to the TRNC? Are there direct flights?

Flights to Ercan Airport connect via Turkey: there are numerous daily services with Turkish Airlines (AJet) and Pegasus from cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Patients travelling from Europe can, if they prefer, fly directly to Larnaca Airport and cross to Nicosia via the land crossing points; this route is especially practical for EU citizens.

Will my passport be stamped on entry? Could that cause a problem?

On request, entry can be processed on a separate document instead of in your passport; this is a standard option chosen by patients who do not want any question marks for future travel to other countries. You simply mention it to the immigration officer on arrival, and your coordinator briefs you on this beforehand.

An Easy Journey

No visa hassle —
just book your ticket

Let us check your entry conditions for your nationality, prepare your invitation letter, and plan your route and transfers. Let's map out your journey together in a free initial consultation.

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For Your Travel Plans

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