- Ünal Üstel announced a new e-visa system for Northern Cyprus on August 23, 2026.
- The first phase covers Armenian, Nigerian and Syrian nationals, with no public rollout date set yet.
- Portal fees range from $40 to $120, depending on entry type and urgency.
Ünal Üstel announced a new e-visa system for Northern Cyprus on August 23, 2026, and the change was formalized the next day in Official Gazette No. 154. The first phase covers only Armenian, Nigerian and Syrian nationals. As of August 25, 2026, no public rollout date had been set.
The prime minister said the shift is meant to move screening earlier in the travel process. "control will begin before arrival," he said. Applications will go online, and migration authorities will review them before travelers reach the territory. The portal is kktc-evize.gov.ct.tr.
Üstel also said the current consular route for those three nationalities "will be discontinued, and the e-visa system will be implemented." He said requests will receive "a preliminary review by the migration department," and police and other relevant institutions may be asked for views depending on the purpose of travel. The new system brings several agencies into the first screening stage. That starts before entry.
The change does not widen visa rules across the board. It applies only to Armenia, Nigeria and Syria, and it replaces the requirement for those nationals to secure a full visa in advance through Turkish Cypriot representative offices abroad. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia are not affected. Most other foreign visitors can still enter the north as tourists without a visa.
| India | China | ROW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Oct 15, 2022 | Jul 01, 2023 | Current |
| EB-2 | Unavailable | Sep 01, 2021 | Current |
| EB-3 | Jan 01, 2014 | Jan 01, 2022 | Sep 01, 2024 |
| F-1 | Jan 22, 2020 ▲403d | Jan 22, 2020 ▲403d | Jan 22, 2020 ▲403d |
| F-2A | Aug 22, 2026 ▲31d | Aug 22, 2026 ▲31d | Aug 22, 2026 ▲31d |
Fees on the new portal split by entry type
The portal lists four fee bands. Two are standard, and two are urgent or express.
| Visa category | Fee |
|---|---|
| single-entry e-Visa | $40 |
| urgent/VIP/express single-entry e-Visa | $80 |
| multiple-entry e-Visa | $80 |
| urgent/VIP/express multiple-entry e-Visa | $120 |
The foreign ministry still showed the old application path
Even after the announcement, the Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry was still describing Armenian, Nigerian and Syrian nationals as people who must apply through a consular office before travel. That left the policy in a transition period on August 25, 2026. The rules were public. The paperwork was not fully aligned.
Students move through the same online screen
Students from visa-required countries are also pulled into the e-visa process. Approved entrants will receive an identification number automatically. It will follow them from entry through university registration and residence-permit processing.
That extra tracking adds a second layer to the new system. It reaches beyond the airport.
