Short-Stay (Category C) — Visiting Family / Friends Verified 2026-04-30Visiting Family & Friends Visa (Short-Stay, Category C)
Cyprus short-stay (Category C) visa for Indians visiting family or friends in Cyprus. Requires host invitation, Bank Guarantee from host stamped by Migration Department, and notarized Assumption of Responsibility.
Cyprus is not in Schengen and puts the heavier paperwork on the host. For a visitor from South Asia the host arranges a Bank Guarantee letter of €854, stamped by the Migration Department in Nicosia, and a notarised Assumption of Responsibility, notarised in Cyprus rather than in India. That guarantee takes time, so the host should start six weeks or more before the trip. The High Commission in New Delhi quotes 10 to 15 working days, and VFS centres in 14 Indian cities, including Chandigarh, forward files on the third working day after submission. The fee is ₹9,900 for an adult, ₹5,000 for a child of 6 to 11; multiple-entry visas valid up to five years are granted on travel history.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Cyprus visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Cyprus — EU member, but NOT yet Schengen
A Cyprus visa is national. It does not unlock Schengen — but a multi-entry Schengen visa unlocks Cyprus.
Cyprus issues its own short-stay (Category C) and long-stay (Type D) visas through the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus, New Delhi. Indian applicants apply via VFS in 14 cities — every file is forwarded to New Delhi for the final decision.
Already hold a valid multi-entry Schengen visa?
You can enter Cyprus without a separate visa. Single-entry Schengen visas don't qualify — only multi-entry. Confirm validity dates before you fly.
14 VFS Cyprus centres in India
Ahmedabad · Bengaluru · Chandigarh · Chennai · Cochin · Goa · Gurugram · Hyderabad · Jaipur · Jalandhar · Kolkata · Mumbai · Puducherry · Pune
Processing
10
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 6-month period
Starting Fee
₹9,900
Apply At
14 VFS centres
Your whole Cyprus Visiting Family Friends Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong Cyprus file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
5★ · 100+ reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee.
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, in one glance
What the ₹14,999 fee covers for a Cyprus file
- We work out what your case actually is, before touching a form
- We build the checklist around your profile, not a template
- We read your documents against each other, not against a list
- Financial proof review
- Purpose of travel structuring
- Cover letter / explanation support
- Return ties review
- Sponsor / invitation guidance
- Application form guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Biometrics guidance
- Post-submission support
Government, VFS, insurance, ticket and hotel costs are separate and charged at cost. Read what each item means, in full.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Cyprus visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Cyprus is NOT a Schengen member. A Cyprus visa does NOT permit travel to Schengen countries.
- 2Schengen multi-entry visa holders can enter Cyprus without a separate Cyprus visa — confirm your Schengen visa is multi-entry and still valid.
- 3DO NOT purchase flight tickets before the visa is issued — provide a provisional booking / itinerary instead. The High Commission explicitly warns against pre-purchase.
- 4Bank statement MUST be the original, signed and sealed by the issuing branch, with the branch's telephone numbers visible. Cash-only is NOT accepted as proof of funds.
- 5Employer letter must be DATED within one month of application and addressed to the Cyprus High Commission, not generic.
- 6Visa fees and VFS service charges are NON-REFUNDABLE if your application is refused or withdrawn.
Who Can Apply
- Indians visiting family members or friends residing in Cyprus
- Travellers staying with their host (not in a hotel) for the duration of the visit
- Visitors whose host can secure a Bank Guarantee from the Migration Department in Nicosia
- Travellers without a valid multi-entry Schengen visa (Schengen multi-entry holders enter Cyprus directly)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone whose host cannot or will not provide a Bank Guarantee from the Migration Department
- Travellers staying in hotels — apply under the Tourist category instead
- Multi-entry Schengen visa holders — you can enter Cyprus directly
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Cyprus / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cyprus visa fee — adult (Short-Stay Category C, 1–90 days) | ₹9,900 |
| Cyprus visa fee — multiple-entry (valid 0–5 years) | ₹9,900 |
| Cyprus visa fee — child (6–11 years) | ₹5,000 |
| VFS service charge | ₹644 |
INR amounts follow the current exchange rate set by the Cyprus mission and may change without notice. Visa fee is paid via Demand Draft favouring 'Cyprus High Commission' — VFS has a bank counter to help prepare the DD. Fees are NOT refunded for refused or withdrawn applications.
Flights · Hotels · Insurance · Itinerary
What Cyprus actually requires — and what it does not.
Cyprus assesses purpose, funds and your reason to return — this paperwork exists to make those three answerable.
0 of 4 are compulsory for Cyprus
Flight reservation
A return reservation covering your stated dates. A real held PNR is enough; paying for a ticket before a decision puts money at risk.
Where people slip: Dates that do not match the application form.
How to hold a flight without payingHotel booking
Accommodation for the stay, or a host's invitation carrying their address and status.
Where people slip: Nights with nothing shown against them.
Refundable hotel booking, explainedTravel insurance
Check the specific requirement for Cyprus before buying — it varies, and being sold cover you do not need is common.
Where people slip: A policy that does not cover the full length of the stay.
What the cover must actually sayTravel itinerary
A short plan tying the trip to a real reason and a return date.
Where people slip: A plan longer than your approved leave.
The letter your itinerary attaches toWe arrange all four for your Cyprus file.
We are a B2B travel agency as well as a visa consultancy, working with partners including Riya Travel — so the flight, the hotel and the policy all come from us, issued the same day, and you deal with one team instead of four. Every booking is a real one under your own name.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Personal Documents
6 items- Application form completed and signedRequired
Signed by the applicant. Minors must be signed by both parents/legal guardians.
- Cover letter explaining purpose of visitRequired
- 2 passport-sized photos (35x45mm)Required
Color, plain white background, no software corrections, not older than 6 months. Face covering 70–80% of photo height. Signed on the back.
- Original passport + photocopy of main pagesRequired
Valid at least 3 months beyond visa expiry. Recommended 6 months from date of entry to Cyprus.
- Old passports (if any)
Helpful for showing prior travel history — strengthens multiple-entry visa requests.
- Affidavit form from parents
Required only for children under 18.
Travel & Accommodation
4 items- Provisional flight booking / itinerary (2-way)Required
Round-trip with fixed dates. DO NOT purchase tickets before visa issuance.
- Proof of accommodation at host's residenceRequired
Host's full address, phone number, occupation, and relation to applicant.
- Medical travel insurance — €30,000 coverage minimumRequired
Must be valid for the entire duration of stay in Cyprus. See VFS-approved TMI companies list.
- Visa for return / onward countryRequired
Valid at least 3 months beyond intended end of stay.
Host-Specific Documents
4 items- Invitation letter from hostRequired
Must include host's full address, phone number, occupation in Cyprus, and relationship to the applicant.
- Bank Guarantee from host — €854 (South Asia)Required
Stamped by the Migration Department in Nicosia. Covers possible cost of repatriation. Issued amounts vary by region: €854 (Asia), €515 (CIS / Eastern Europe), €341 (Middle East).
- Assumption of Responsibility from host (notarized)Required
Host completes the form (downloadable from VFS) and gets it notarized in Cyprus.
- Photocopy of host's passport / ID + Cyprus residence proofRequired
Financial Documents
3 items- Original bank statement — last 3 monthsRequired
Signed and sealed by the issuing branch. Must show branch telephone numbers. Cash is NOT accepted as proof of funds.
- Photocopy of tax declaration / ITR — last 3 yearsRequired
- Credit card statement (recent) with credit limit
Accepted ONLY in addition to a bank statement, never instead of one.
Employment / Income Proof
3 items- Recent employer letter (dated within 1 month)Required
Addressed to the Cyprus High Commission. Confirms wages/salary, designation, and approved leave dates.
- Self-employed: letter from solicitor, accountant, or bank manager
Required for self-employed applicants in lieu of an employer letter.
- Students: original letter from school / university
Addressed to the Cyprus High Commission, confirming attendance and course duration.
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
7 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Check if you actually need a Cyprus visa
If you hold a valid multi-entry Schengen visa, you can enter Cyprus without a separate visa. Otherwise, continue.
- 02
Prepare documents from the checklist
Gather the document set above. Pay extra attention to the bank statement (must be original + bank-stamped) and employer letter (must be dated within 1 month and addressed to the Cyprus High Commission).
- 03
Book your VFS appointment
Choose a VFS Cyprus centre near you (14 Indian cities). Book online via the VFS Global India portal.
- 04
Submit at VFS + pay fees
Attend in person with originals + copies + photos + Demand Draft for the visa fee. Pay the ₹644 VFS service charge at the counter.
- 05
VFS forwards to the High Commission
Indian VFS centres forward applications on the 3rd working day after submission to the High Commission in New Delhi.
- 06
Wait 10–15 working days for the decision
Track via VFS. The High Commission decides without an interview in most cases. If approved, your passport returns to your VFS centre with the visa sticker.
- 07
Collect your passport from VFS
Once notified, collect from VFS (or use VFS courier-back service if you opted for it at submission). Verify visa validity dates and entry type before leaving the counter.
What works
4 levers that flip a borderline case.
- The Bank Guarantee from the Migration Department takes time — start your host on this paperwork 6+ weeks before you plan to apply.
- Get the Assumption of Responsibility notarized in Cyprus, not in India — Cypriot notarisation is required.
- Host's letter should explicitly mention how long you'll stay AND who covers repatriation costs (this satisfies migration concerns).
- Even with a host's accommodation, carry your own onward ticket and travel insurance.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Bank Guarantee missing or not stamped by the Migration Department in Nicosia
- 2Host's invitation letter missing key details (occupation, relationship, dates)
- 3Assumption of Responsibility not notarized or notarized in the wrong jurisdiction
Download official forms
Each link opens the official Cyprus page on VFS Global (we never host third-party forms): pick your visa category there and use its "Download Form" section for the current version.
Cyprus Visa Application Form
Hosted on VFS Cyprus India — select your category, scroll to 'Download Forms'.
Assumption of Responsibility for Hosting (notarized)
Required only if visiting family or friends in Cyprus. Host completes and gets it notarized.
Short Term Visa Checklist (Cyprus)
Official VFS checklist — single vs multiple entry tickbox.
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Visiting Family & Friends Visa (Short-Stay, Category C) is a 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Frequently asked
Questions, answered straight
The host in Cyprus secures a Bank Guarantee letter from their bank, stamped by the Migration Department in Nicosia, covering possible repatriation costs. Standard amount for South Asian visitors is €854. Without this, the visa cannot be issued under the Family/Friends category.
Yes. Both family members and friends can host you under this category. The host paperwork (invitation, Bank Guarantee, Assumption of Responsibility) is the same in both cases.
Tourist requires hotel reservations as proof of accommodation; Family Visit accepts the host's residence + the host's Bank Guarantee + Assumption of Responsibility. Both visas have the same fee (₹9,900) and processing time (10–15 working days).
Typically 2–4 weeks from when the host applies at their bank, then another 1–2 weeks for the Migration Department stamp in Nicosia. Plan 6+ weeks of lead time for the host's paperwork.
Yes. We coach the host on the Bank Guarantee + Assumption of Responsibility paperwork (which is where most rejections come from), prepare your document pack, and handle VFS submission. ₹499 consultation to start.
Reviewed by Paramjit Singh, SureshotVisa — a government-licensed consultancy (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024). Verify us.
How we get it done
Your Cyprus Visiting Family & Friends Visa, from your first message to your passport back.
5 questions about this visa specifically. The first two are open — tap any other to read it.
Refused? Our full service fee comes back.Government and visa-centre fees are the one part nobody can refund.
+My relative in Cyprus is inviting and sponsoring me. What do they need to send?
An invitation naming you and the relationship, proof of their own status in Cyprus (residence permit, passport or citizenship), proof of address, and — if they are paying — their income evidence and a formal undertaking. Several countries have a specific sponsorship form; using a plain letter where a prescribed form exists gets the file bounced. Send us their documents together with yours: the two sides have to agree with each other, and mismatched addresses or dates between sponsor and applicant are one of the quietest refusal causes.
+Does having close family settled abroad make my visa harder?
It is the question officers probe hardest on a family visit, because a visitor visa turns on whether you will come back. It is not a bar — thousands of these are approved every month — but it has to be answered rather than ignored. The answer is your own life here: your job or business, your dependants, your property, your bookings. A file that names the relative and then says nothing about your ties invites the officer to assume the obvious.
+How long does a Cyprus Visiting Family & Friends Visa take, start to finish?
Three things sit between today and your trip: preparing the file properly, waiting for an appointment, and the mission's own processing. Cyprus currently states 10–15 working days at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus, New Delhi. VFS centres in 14 Indian cities forward applications on the 3rd working day after submission. for the decision itself. We control the first, which is usually days. The middle depends on slot releases. The third is entirely the mission's and no consultant can shorten it — anyone telling you otherwise is selling something they cannot deliver. Tell us your travel date and we will tell you honestly whether it is realistic.
+How much of what I pay for the Cyprus visa is actually your fee?
Most of it is not ours. The Cyprus government fee (currently ₹9,900) goes to the mission and the visa-centre fee goes to VFS — both charged to you at cost, never marked up, and shown as separate lines on one GST invoice in the registered company name. Our service fee is the only part we set, and it is published rather than quoted case by case.
+How does SureshotVisa handle my Cyprus Visiting Family & Friends Visa, from first message to passport back?
You send what you have on WhatsApp and a licensed consultant says the same working day whether the case is ready. We build the file around your profile, check every document against the others, write the cover letter to match them, and hold the file complete so the first workable appointment can be taken the moment it appears. You attend biometrics; we track the file to the decision (Cyprus currently states 10–15 working days at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus, New Delhi. VFS centres in 14 Indian cities forward applications on the 3rd working day after submission.). Government and visa-centre fees (₹9,900 for this visa) are charged at cost; our own fee is published, and if the visa is refused that fee comes back in full.
Before you file
A Cyprus Visiting Family & Friends Visa goes one of two ways.
Filed on a guessed checklist, the government fee is gone on a refusal and the refusal follows every future application. Filed after a licensed consultant has read the papers against each other, the file answers the officer's questions before they are asked. Same Cyprus rules, different outcome. How we do that is written once, in full, on the method page rather than repeated here.
Other Cyprus Visa Types
Tourist Visa (Short-Stay, Category C)
Apply for a Cyprus Tourist Visa (Short-Stay Category C, up to 90 days) from India. Complete fees, document checklist, and application guide for Indian travellers — including the Schengen-holder shortcut.
View guideBusiness Visa (Short-Stay, Category C)
Apply for a Cyprus Business Visa (Category C) from India for meetings, trade shows, and conferences. Complete fees, document checklist, and Schengen-shortcut guide for Indian professionals.
View guideConference & Seminars Visa (Short-Stay, Category C)
Cyprus short-stay visa for Indians attending conferences, seminars, or academic events in Cyprus. Apply via VFS in 14 cities. Complete fees, documents, and processing guide.
View guideCultural & Sporting Events Visa (Short-Stay, Category C)
Cyprus short-stay visa for Indians participating in cultural events, performances, or sporting competitions in Cyprus. Apply via VFS. Complete documents, fees, and process guide.
View guideMedical Treatment Visa (Short-Stay, Category C)
Cyprus short-stay (Category C) visa for Indians travelling to Cyprus for medical treatment. Requires hospital invitation, treatment estimate, and proof of funds. Apply via VFS in 14 cities.
View guideCivil Marriage / Embassy Visit Visa (Short-Stay, Category C)
Cyprus short-stay visa for Indians travelling to Cyprus for a civil marriage ceremony or to visit a foreign embassy located in Cyprus. Apply via VFS. Complete fees, documents, and process guide.
View guideAirport Transit Visa (ATV)
Cyprus Airport Transit Visa applies only to nationals of 13 specific countries. Indian citizens do NOT need this visa for transit. Informational guide for context.
View guideLong Stay Visa (Type D, >90 days)
Cyprus Long Stay (Type D) visa for residency, work, study, or family reunification longer than 90 days. Process initiated by Cypriot sponsor. Apostille required from MEA. Informational guide.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Cyprus website and Embassy of Cyprus. Last verified 2026-04-30. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
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More for Cyprus applicants
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