Oscar De La Huerte answered
Whilst this may sound like a fairly straight-forward question, the answer is actually not that simple! For the time being, anyone holding a a Schengen visa that entitles them to travel within the SChengen area will be allowed into Cyprus.
However, it is currently being debated (as of June 2012) whether Cyprus will issue Schengen visa's itself.
Who can use a Schengen visa to enter Cyprus?
As the rules currently stand, any holder of a valid Schengen visa (including single, double and multiple entries of the type C visa) is allowed into Cyprus providing they entered the Schengen area through another country (for example Greece).
Once a person is in Cyprus, a Schengen visa is valid until its expiration date.This means that anyone who doesn't plan to visit another Schengen area state will need to apply directly for a Cypriot Visa.
The reason for the Cyprus visa complication
If you're wondering why the visa application to Cyprus is so unusually complicated, it is because the country is currently in the middle of a dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
The conflict centers around the sovereignty of the northern part of the island. The ethnic Turkish north is currently trying to establish itself as a separate state, however the only country to fully recognize the new state is Turkey itself. Until the situation is resolved, it is unclear whether Cyprus can be classified as fully compliant with the Schengen agreement.
For further information regarding the visa application process for travelling to Cyprus, and a list of supporting documentation you may require, I'd suggest you check out the website of your closest Cypriot Embassy or consulate, or even pay them a visit.
For American citizens, the Embassy of Cyprus is located in Washington D.C.- and their website is full of relevant visa information.
However, it is currently being debated (as of June 2012) whether Cyprus will issue Schengen visa's itself.
Who can use a Schengen visa to enter Cyprus?
As the rules currently stand, any holder of a valid Schengen visa (including single, double and multiple entries of the type C visa) is allowed into Cyprus providing they entered the Schengen area through another country (for example Greece).
Once a person is in Cyprus, a Schengen visa is valid until its expiration date.This means that anyone who doesn't plan to visit another Schengen area state will need to apply directly for a Cypriot Visa.
The reason for the Cyprus visa complication
If you're wondering why the visa application to Cyprus is so unusually complicated, it is because the country is currently in the middle of a dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
The conflict centers around the sovereignty of the northern part of the island. The ethnic Turkish north is currently trying to establish itself as a separate state, however the only country to fully recognize the new state is Turkey itself. Until the situation is resolved, it is unclear whether Cyprus can be classified as fully compliant with the Schengen agreement.
For further information regarding the visa application process for travelling to Cyprus, and a list of supporting documentation you may require, I'd suggest you check out the website of your closest Cypriot Embassy or consulate, or even pay them a visit.
For American citizens, the Embassy of Cyprus is located in Washington D.C.- and their website is full of relevant visa information.
