Cyprus

The advisory level was increased to 3. There were no changes to the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations. Reconsider travel to Cyprus due to the threat of armed conflic t and limited U.S. embassy assistance for Americans in the Turkish Cypriot Administered area . Advisory Summary On March 3, 2026, the Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Cyprus due to the safety risks. Armed Conflict Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there have been significant disruptions to commercial flights. A drone struck a building on the British Sovereign Base Area on Cyprus on March 2. Turkish Cypriot-Administered Area The U.S. Embassy in Nicosia has limited ability to help U.S. citizens in this area. Human rights reports show that central prison and police detention facilities do not meet international standards. Since 1974, the southern part of Cyprus has been under the control of the internationally recognized Government of the Republic of Cyprus. However, the northern part of Cyprus is administered by Turkish Cypriots. It proclaimed itself the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”) in 1983. The United States does not recognize the “TRNC,” nor does any country other than Türkiye. A buffer zone, patrolled by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, separates the 2 sides. For U.S. citizen travelers: Enter and exit the island of Cyprus only at Larnaca and Paphos airports or at the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos. The Republic of Cyprus does not consider entry or exit via Ercan Airport or by a seaport in the north to be legal. U.S. citizens who leave the island from Ercan could face challenges returning to the Republic of Cyprus in the future. You cannot receive a residency permit from the Republic of Cyprus to live in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots. The Republic of Cyprus does