Travel
Permit

Until recently, students from various countries, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and others, only needed an "OK to board" to travel to Northern Cyprus for education. However, as of August 15th, 2023, the Turkish government has implemented new regulations. Now, international students traveling to Northern Cyprus for education must apply for a double transit visa, also known as a travel permit, at the Turkish embassy in their respective countries. It is important to note that this double transit visa requirement was previously in place but was suspended due to COVID-19.

The double transit visa is only required for newly registered international students. Returning students, who left Northern Cyprus for holidays with a valid Muhajarat or residence permit, do not need to apply for a double transit visa. However, it is important to confirm with your local Turkish embassy or Turkish Airlines.

There are 57 countries whose nationals need to apply for a double transit visa (travel permit). The list of these countries can be found below. If your country is not listed, it means that you do not need to apply for the travel permit and only need an "OK to board".

The processing time for the double transit visa also known as travel permit varies depending on the country of application. Recent student experiences and information from visa application centers indicate that the processing time can range from 2 days up to 3 weeks. In countries like Nigeria, it can take a minimum of 7 days. Therefore, it is important to apply for the travel permit well in advance, as soon as you receive your final acceptance letter from the university. Himalaya Travel offers a free application service to all universities in Northern Cyprus, and admission takes no more than 72 hours. The admission process is simple and you can apply here Apply Now.

The most important factor affecting the duration of the travel permit is the university sending a confirmation email to the embassy from which you are applying. The earlier the confirmation email is sent, the better. Students who apply using Himalaya Travel do not need to worry, as we have already requested for your details to be sent to different embassies and consulates.

Foreign nationals from the countries listed above need to prepare the following documents to apply for a Northern Cyprus travel permit, which is also known as a double transit visa. It is important to note that these documents are general requirements, and specific documents may be required by each individual country. If you would like to know which documents are needed for your country, please feel free to contact us for precise information.

The documents needed to apply for a Northern Cyprus travel permit are as follows:

1. Application form (This will be given at the submission center)
2. International Passport (Must be Valid for at least six months from the date of application)
3. 2 biometric photos (5*5)
4. Bank statement (at least last 6 months)
5. Flight booking or reservation (at least 3 weeks from the date of submission)
6. Conditional and acceptance letter (sent by the university)
7. Payment receipt of your university tuition (Sent by the university)
8. Proof of accommodation (Himalaya Travel can assist with accommodation On-campus or Off-campus)
9. Notorized sponsorship letter with the copy of sponsor's ID Card
10. Valid birth certificate
11. travel permit application fee (visa fee is non-refundable)
12. Letter of Motivation
13. Consent letter for minors
14. Paid travel insurance
15. Valid criminal record
16. High school diploma original and copy (Both must be authenticated by an authorized government body.)
17. Bachelor degree diploma and transcript for master students (must be authenticated by an authorized government body)
18. Any other relevant documents if any

The cost of a double transit visa from the Turkish embassy is $60. However, in some countries like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and others, students need to submit their documents to a third-party agency accredited by the Turkish authorities. These agencies charge additional service fees on top of the $60 processing fee requested by the Turkish authorities. Therefore, the visa processing fees vary based on the country you are applying from. If you need to know the specific amount, please contact us at otb@himalayatravel.net