Applying for and obtaining a residence permit in Cyprus is a legitimate way to extend your stay in the island nation. There is a range of options available for foreigners. In this article, we will cover what gives a residence permit in Cyprus in 2024, the required documents, ways to secure residency via property in Cyprus, and the costs associated with it.
Content:
- Visa regime in Cyprus
- Advantages of a Residence Permit
- Residence Visa for Foreigners
- How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Cyprus for Foreigners
- Residence Permit in Cyprus
- Types of Visas in Cyprus
- Documents for Long-Term Visas
- How to Apply for a Resident Visa
- Residence Permit for Investment in Real Estate
- Reasons for Refusal to Issue a Residence Permit
- Embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom in Cyprus
- Get Permanent Residence in Cyprus With Our Help!
Visa regime in Cyprus
The republic is a member of the EU but is not part of the Schengen area; however, you can enter the country on a multiple-entry Schengen visa for transit or stay in it for no more than 90 days. Everyone else must apply for an electronic Pro-Visa to visit the republic.
Cyprus also offers a range of visa facilitation options, including programmes for entrepreneurs, investors, and students, which allow obtaining a visa by investing or enrolling in studies.
Advantages of a Residence Permit
The main advantages of a permit are:
- Holding a residence permit opens the door to creating and running a business in the island and gives access to exemptions;
- The opportunity of obtaining a quality education;
- Access to a high standard of living in favourable climatic conditions.
Residence Visa for Foreigners
Previously, certain nationalities could obtain a free visa valid for up to 90 days by simply filling out a form, submitting it to the visa department of the Cyprus Embassy of their choice, and receiving a confirmation, which would be stamped upon arrival in the country.
However, this programme has been suspended since December 1, 2022, and it's no longer possible to get a visa either online or for free. Now, a full set of documents and a consular fee is required: €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6 to 11.
Nevertheless, this option is unsuitable for long-term stay in the country – you would need to apply for a residence permit in Cyprus.
How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Cyprus for Foreigners
There are several ways for foreigners to obtain a residence visa. We will discuss the existing types of long-stay visas and permits and the benefits of having a Temporary Residence Permit in Cyprus further in this article.
Residence Permit in Cyprus
The temporary residence permit in Cyprus for foreigners, also known as a Pink Slip, is a standard resident card. How long does a residence permit last? The document is issued based on specific grounds and allows you to live in the country for one year or several years (if extended).
This status has a significant limitation: the holder cannot stay outside the republic for more than three consecutive months, or the permit is automatically annulled.
Types of Visas in Cyprus
Grounds for obtaining a residence permit include visiting relatives, working, studying in the country, and other reasons.
Guest residence permit
The Visitor Permit Visa allows the holder to legally reside in the country for 1 year with the right to extend in a year but does not allow work. This visa is suitable for those who want to spend time with their family and enjoy a holiday.
There are two types of Guest Residence Permits:
- Autonomous Visitor Permit. This type is for financially independent individuals. The Autonomous Visitor Permit grants a person the right to live in the country as a visitor without the right to official employment. The main visa holder can apply for a similar residence permit for their family members, including minor children. Condition: a stable monthly income of at least €2,000, plus 20% and 15% for the husband/wife and each child under 18 respectively; a €10,000 deposit for each adult family member plus €5,000 for each child.
- Family members of Cypriot Citizen Visa. This is a permit for family members of a Cyprus citizen; it is available for those married to Cypriots and their children under 18 from another marriage.
Documents for Long-Term Visas
Here are the documents for a residence permit in Cyprus required to apply for an Autonomous Visitor Permit:
- A copy of your passport;
- A copy of the page with the most recent visa stamp;
- A bank account statement;
- A written bank guarantee;
- Medical insurance;
- Original and copy of marriage certificate;
- Lease agreement of a house or apartment in Cyprus, valid for at least one year;
- Evidence of stable earnings;
- Confirmation from a Cypriot bank of money transfers from abroad or a customs declaration for the import of cash;
- A Certificate of No Criminal Record from your home country (translated and certified);
- Medical certificate showing no presence of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and a chest X-ray report, all endorsed by a medical professional;
- Original and copy of birth certificate.
The cost of processing includes state fees of €540, a charge to the Immigration Department of €140 per family member, plus a fee for issuing the guarantee letter, which is €150. Insurance in Cyprus for a residence permit and legal services are paid separately.
Here are the documents required for a residence permit under the Family Members of Cypriot Citizen Visa programme.
- A copy of your passport;
- A copy of the Cypriot citizen's ID who is married or related to the applicant;
- If rented – a lease agreement; if owned – a title deed;
- Copy of divorce certificate and written proof that the citizen of the island country has not remarried since the divorce;
- Marriage certificate with a citizen of the island country;
- Certificate of No Marriage from the foreign spouse;
- Medical certificate showing no presence of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and a chest X-ray report, all endorsed by a medical professional;
- Certificate of No Criminal Record;
- Medical insurance;
- A copy of the page with the most recent visa stamp;
- Entry permit (original);
- Certificate proving that the couple lives together (obtained from the community council president, Mukhtar);
- Permission from the other parent for children from another marriage.
Important! The application processing time can take up to 2.5 months. The wait for a PR card can take up to 6 months. Meanwhile, the receipt of document submission (Receipt) has full legal status, allowing you to stay in the country legally.
Work Residence Permit
One of the common reasons for moving is employment. As of January 1, 2022, the issuance of work permits (General Employment) takes place within 1 month, and the visa validity can be extended up to 3 years. It's important to note that only companies with the international status have the right to employ foreigners in this island nation.
Hiring conditions:
- Educational diploma or a certificate of professional experience in the position with at least 2 years of experience;
- A monthly salary of at least €2,500;
- An employment contract for at least a 2-year term.
During the contract term, the employee can bring their spouse and minor dependent children to live with them.
Important! The maximum term of a work visa ranges from 4 to 6 years, depending on the industry in which you are employed. The employer directly submits the documents to the Immigration Department.
Digital Nomad Visa
The Digital Nomad Visa is a special type of visa permit, effective in the island state since October 15, 2021. With it, remote employees and freelancers providing digital services to clients and companies abroad can live and work in Cyprus permanently.
A residence visa for foreigners under the programme is issued for 1 year with a subsequent extension for 2 years.
Consider the following:
- Application processing time is up to 7 weeks;
- The minimum income for a "digital nomad" is €3,500;
- You must have accommodation for the entire stay;
- Full medical insurance is mandatory;
- All documents for visa application must be translated and certified;
- You must provide biometric data, i.e., a photo and fingerprints;
- The cost of processing is €390, including medical tests, government fees, and insurance, plus a €140 registration fee.
Startup Support Programme
The Startup Visa operates under government support for promising start-ups from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2024. Through this programme, foreign entrepreneurs with promising projects can live and work in the country to realise their start-up potential.
For attracting initial capital, crowdfunding, venture investments, or other financing sources can be used. Small enterprises can participate in the European Horizon Europe programme and win grants of up to €2.5 million, as well as receiving government support.
The programme participants can be:
- Solo entrepreneurs – Cyprus Startup Visa for Founder;
- Teams of up to 5 people – Cyprus Startup Visa for Team.
To obtain a residence permit, startup creators must demonstrate a development plan and project viability. Family members can be included in the application for a residence permit. After 7 years of residence in the country, the entrepreneur can try to obtain citizenship.
Conditions for an individual start-up visa:
- You are the sole founder with the largest share package;
- Initial capital of at least €20,000;
- Certificate of education or other proof of professional qualifications;
- Knowledge of the English or Greek language.
Conditions for a team:
- Maximum number of founders – 5;
- The team owns at least 50% of the shares;
- Capital volume of each founder – €25,000;
- Certificate of education or other proof of professional qualifications;
- Knowledge of English or Greek language (applies to all team members);
- The project is of an innovative nature;
- Minimum percentage of research expenses for 1 year from 3 years before applying – 10%;
- Detailed business plan.
Those wishing to obtain a start-up visa must apply online to establish a company to the republic’s Ministry of Finance.
The necessary documents:
- Applicant's CV;
- Detailed business plan;
- Diploma confirming proficiency in English or Greek;
- Copy of the passport;
- Bank statement about solvency and capital availability of €20,000 / €25,000;
- Latest financial report.
The application is normally reviewed by the Ministry of Finance for about 5 weeks. Sometimes candidates are assigned additional online interviews.
Important! After receiving initial approval, you can do business in Cyprus for 2 years. Then, within a month after receiving a positive decision, you will need to apply for a visa and pay fees. The application for a residence permit is reviewed within up to 5 weeks. The visa is valid for 1 year with subsequent extensions for the same period.
Student Visa
A Student Visa application is submitted after successful admission to an educational institution. The standard document package includes information about the level of education, exam results, a certificate of admission and payment for studies, a certificate confirming the place of residence, health insurance, foreign passport, etc.
Educational institutions operate on the British model of education, but here, compared to the UK, getting a degree is cheaper.
How to Apply for a Resident Visa
You will need the following documents:
- A copy of the passport;
- If the person is under 18 years old – consent from parents;
- A certificate of no criminal record;
- Originals of medical examination certificates, as well as test results;
- An official letter of admission from the educational institution indicating the terms of study and a description of the educational programme;
- Proof of financial solvency to cover all expenses related to education and living;
- A certificate of payment of all fees in favour of the educational institution;
- A statement completed according to form M58.
From the moment of entry, the student must apply for a residence permit within 10 days and provide:
- Health insurance;
- A certificate from a local bank that they have enough funds for expenses;
- A bank guarantee;
- 2 photos;
- A receipt for the payment of fees – €34.17;
- A completed M61 application form.
Residence Permit for Investment in Real Estate
Permanent residence in Cyprus upon purchasing real estate is a fast-track way of obtaining residency. The Fast Track Permanent Residence programme allows third-country nationals to live, do business, and sponsor a family: a wife/husband, minor and adult children not older than 25 years old, provided they are not married and are financially dependent on their parents.
The advantage of the programme is the absence of the need to relocate. To confirm the status of a resident, it is enough to appear in the country at least once every 2 years. The minimum investment amount for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Cyprus when buying real estate is €300,000 + Value Added Tax (VAT).
Where to Invest
Residential real estate:
- The property must be new and purchased from a developer;
- Provide a sales contract or property rights;
- A receipt for the payment of €300,000 + VAT.
Commercial spaces: suitable for new properties and secondary market properties, including office spaces, hotels, shops, etc.
Important! When investing in housing, it is necessary to prove that the source of income is abroad.
Additional Costs
In addition to the mandatory expenses of €300,000, the applicant should be ready to pay the following fees:
- VAT of 19% or 5% if only one single dwelling is purchased;
- A fee for submitting the application – €500;
- A fee of €500 for registering the property;
- An additional fee for each foreigner interested in obtaining a visa permit – €70.
Reasons for Refusal to Issue a Residence Permit
You may be denied a residence permit for a number of reasons:
- Failure to comply with the requirements of a visa programme;
- Inconsistent passport and personal details;
- Incorrectly completed paperwork;
- A negative immigration or criminal history of the applicant;
- Violation of programme rules, i.e., if the applicant does not comply with them at the time of application and after obtaining a residence permit.
It is important to note that the specific reasons for refusal may vary depending on the residence permit programme and the individual circumstances of each applicant.
Embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom in Cyprus
The US Embassy and the British High Commission are located in Nicosia. They can be contacted in case of loss of documents, conflict with local law enforcement, traffic accidents, or need for emergency medical care.
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