Short-Stay (Category C) — Visiting Family / FriendsVerified 2026-04-30Cyprus Visiting Family & Friends Visa (Short-Stay, Category C)
A Cyprus Visiting Family & Friends Visa is a national short-stay visa (Category C) for Indian visitors hosted by a relative or friend living in Cyprus. Valid up to 90 days within any 6-month period. The host carries significant paperwork — a Bank Guarantee letter (€854 for South Asian visitors) stamped by the Migration Department in Nicosia, plus a notarized Assumption of Responsibility. Indians holding a valid multi-entry Schengen visa do not need a separate Cyprus visa.
Reply within 5 minutes · No obligation · 4.9★ from 83 verified Google reviews
Govt-Licensed
License No. 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024 · DM Patiala
4.9 ★ Google Rating
83 verified client reviews
Registered Company
CIN U52291PB2024PTC060508
Patiala, Punjab
In-person office · Walk in any day
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
10–15 working days at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus, New Delhi
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 6-month period
Starting Fee
₹9,900
Apply At
14 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Cyprus visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 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
Previously Refused?
SPECIAL OFFERYour Cyprus visa refusal isn't the end — it's a fixable situation.
Most refusal letters read like code. We decode the real reason behind your refusal — often different from what the letter says — and rebuild your case with a refusal-specific strategy. Refused applicants pay the same fee as first-time applicants, and we back it with our dedicated refusal-rebuild process.
Fees (in INR)
| 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.
Documents Required
Personal Documents
- !Application form completed and signed
Signed by the applicant. Minors must be signed by both parents/legal guardians.
- !Cover letter explaining purpose of visit
- !2 passport-sized photos (35x45mm)
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 pages
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
- !Provisional flight booking / itinerary (2-way)
Round-trip with fixed dates. DO NOT purchase tickets before visa issuance.
- !Proof of accommodation at host's residence
Host's full address, phone number, occupation, and relation to applicant.
- !Medical travel insurance — €30,000 coverage minimum
Must be valid for the entire duration of stay in Cyprus. See VFS-approved TMI companies list.
- !Visa for return / onward country
Valid at least 3 months beyond intended end of stay.
Host-Specific Documents
- !Invitation letter from host
Must include host's full address, phone number, occupation in Cyprus, and relationship to the applicant.
- !Bank Guarantee from host — €854 (South Asia)
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)
Host completes the form (downloadable from VFS) and gets it notarized in Cyprus.
- !Photocopy of host's passport / ID + Cyprus residence proof
Financial Documents
- !Original bank statement — last 3 months
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 years
- ○Credit card statement (recent) with credit limit
Accepted ONLY in addition to a bank statement, never instead of one.
Employment / Income Proof
- !Recent employer letter (dated within 1 month)
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.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
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.
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).
Book your VFS appointment
Choose a VFS Cyprus centre near you (14 Indian cities). Book online via the VFS Global India portal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
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
💡 Pro Tips
- 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.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Bank Guarantee missing or not stamped by the Migration Department in Nicosia
- 2.Host's invitation letter missing key details (occupation, relationship, dates)
- 3.Assumption of Responsibility not notarized or notarized in the wrong jurisdiction
- 4.Insufficient bank balance — Bank Guarantee from host doesn't replace the applicant's own financial proof
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bank Guarantee from the host?+
Can I stay with friends instead of family?+
Difference between Family Visit and Tourist visa for Cyprus?+
How long does the Bank Guarantee take to issue?+
Can SureshotVisa help with my Cyprus Family Visit visa?+
Let us prepare your Cyprus Visiting Family & Friends Visa — (Short-Stay, Category C) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Cyprus Visa Types
Cyprus 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.
Cyprus Business 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.
Cyprus Conference & 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.
Cyprus Cultural & 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.
Cyprus Medical 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.
Cyprus Civil 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.
Cyprus Airport Transit Visa (ATV) — Informational
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.
Cyprus Long Stay Visa (Type D, >90 days) — Informational
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.
Source & 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.