Is a trip from Northern Cyprus to Turkey considered leaving the country?

Yes. A trip from Northern Cyprus to Turkey is considered a full exit from the country and a new entry upon return. Border authorities record the crossing, and the tourist or visa count in Northern Cyprus starts anew.

• What this means in practice
• Important points to consider
• Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions

What this means in practice

Northern Cyprus and Turkey are separate states with their own visa and border regimes. Despite frequent flights, travel between them is legally treated as international movement.

If you are in Northern Cyprus on a tourist stamp (usually up to 90 days within 180 days), a flight to Turkey is recorded as an official exit.

Turkey has its own visa regime. For example:

• Russian citizens can stay in Turkey up to 60 days without a visa — this period is not connected to time spent in Northern Cyprus.

In practice, it works like this:

• you leave Northern Cyprus → the stay count in Turkey begins;
• you return → a new count of allowed stay in Northern Cyprus starts.

Important points to consider

• Northern Cyprus and Turkey are different countries with separate visa rules.
• Travel between them is always considered an exit and entry.
• Each country has its own stay limit.
• Entry to Turkey requires a valid passport and compliance with its visa requirements.
• Exceeding the allowed stay may result in fines and entry restrictions.

Summary

A trip from Northern Cyprus to Turkey is definitely considered an exit from the country. From that moment, a separate visa count starts in Turkey, and upon return — a new count of stay in Northern Cyprus begins.

"Movement from Northern Cyprus to Turkey is recorded as an exit from one country and entry into another — with separate visa limits."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a flight to Turkey considered a visa run for Northern Cyprus?

Yes. Returning from Turkey is recorded as a new entry to Northern Cyprus with a new tourist count.

Does the tourist period in Turkey reset after returning to Northern Cyprus?

No. The Turkish visa period is counted separately and is not affected by trips to Northern Cyprus.

Do I need a visa for Turkey if I have a Northern Cyprus stamp?

Turkey's own visa rules apply, regardless of your status in Northern Cyprus.

Can frequent trips back and forth cause problems?

Yes. Frequent entries may raise questions from border authorities in both countries.