North to introduce e-visas for Armenian, Nigerian and Syrian citizens

Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot authorities will introduce an e-visa system for citizens of Armenia, Nigeria and Syria seeking to visit the north, ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel has said.

New entry system

Ustel said the measure will end the current requirement for citizens of the three countries to obtain a full visa before travelling to the island’s northern third.

“We are updating our legal framework, strengthening our technical infrastructure, addressing personnel shortages in our institutions, and integrating the opportunities offered by technology into our security system,” he said.

He said authorities must know who is entering the “TRNC”, their purpose of travel, timing and status, adding that all entrants must be registered.

Pre-arrival checks

Under the new system, entry controls will begin before travellers reach the border, Ustel said.

“Necessary checks and security assessments can be carried out before a person arrives in the country,” he said.

Applications will undergo an initial review by the migration department, while the police and other relevant institutions will be consulted depending on the applicant’s stated purpose of visit, he added.

Current visa rules

At present, citizens of Armenia, Nigeria and Syria must obtain a full visa from Turkish Cypriot representative offices abroad before travelling to the north, with the exception of offices in Geneva and Strasbourg.

Citizens of other countries can enter the north as tourists without first obtaining a visa.

“The current consular visa application process for these countries will be discontinued, and the e-visa system will be implemented,” Ustel said.

He said his ruling coalition supported opening the north to the world in a controlled and secure manner rather than closing it off.