General provisions for short or long-term residence in Cyprus
Cyprus legislation stipulates that short stays (up to 90 consecutive days, up to 180 days per year) are possible based on entry visas (Cyprus national visa, pro-visa, Schengen visa, multiple entry visas to Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia).
In this case, “third country nationals” refers to nationals of any state other than Cyprus, the EU, and the European Economic Zone. European Union citizens who plan to stay in Cyprus for over six months must also register with the Immigration Department. Long-term stays of third-country nationals should be legalized.
If you are planning to visit the country for immigration purposes, an extended stay, or several visits, for a total duration that exceeds 90 days within 180 days, you need to apply for a residence permit by contacting the Immigration Department of the Republic of Cyprus (Civil Registry and Migration Department).
Types of residence permits:
According to EU legislation, all residence permits are divided into two types:
- Temporary Residence Permit (TPL)
- A long-term Residence Permit is a shorter residence permit called Permanent Residence Permit (although it should be noted that in Cyprus, it is not a “permanent” residence permit, but still a “long-term” one).
TYPES OF TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMITS
Cyprus immigration legislation provides for the following kinds of Temporary Residence Permits (TRP) for Third Country Nationals :
- Startup Permit – startup visa
- Domestic worker – self-employed
- General Employment – work visa
- Visitors Visa
- Students
- Employees at International Companies – Employees at International Companies
- Researchers – Researcher visa
- Trainees
- Volunteers – Volunteer
- Recognized Refugees, Subsidiary Protection, Asylum Seekers – Refugees (three statuses)
- Pupils
- Family Members of Cypriot Citizens
- Intra-Corporate Transfer
Some of these residence permits do not give their holders the right to work, so the student visa is issued to those in a long-term study in an educational institution in Cyprus and involves only work practice approved by the educational institution.
The visitor category residence permits are generally intended for third-country citizens – family members of a Cypriot citizen, third-country citizens living in Cyprus and receiving stable income from abroad or owning a company in Cyprus.
Residence permits for third-country nationals – employees of international companies are issued with a permanent employment contract within a company with the right to hire foreigners and meet several criteria (any other employment with such a permit is prohibited, one can only work in the company that concluded the contract and formalized the migration status).
PINK SLIP IN CYPRUS
Residence permit – visitors category, why is it called that?
It is one of the most common residences permits among third-country nationals. It is commonly referred to as the “Visitor’s pink slip,” an informal name given because of the document’s color.
Such permits used to be printed on pink paper.
Suppose you want to stay in Cyprus longer than your entry visa entitles (as a reminder, generally, the maximum stay of foreigners in Cyprus is three months). In that case, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit.
Who can get a pink slip in Cyprus?
A visitor’s pink slip is an opportunity to legally reside on the island for one year and is renewable every year. It is important to note that this residence permit does not entitle you to work in Cyprus
.Pink slips can be obtained when the third-country national has sufficient funds to support themselves and rent or buy a home. The income must come from abroad.
How to apply for a pink slip in Cyprus?
The application for the first pink slip and the application for its renewal must be submitted well before the expiry of the previous residence permit or entry visa.
Registration for submission of documents is done on the portal http://www.moi.gov.cy. Free slots for appointments are opened three months in advance. The documents are submitted strictly at the place of residence.
What documents do I need to provide to get a pink slip in Cyprus?
You must complete the appropriate application form with the documents attached to apply for a Pink Slip in Cyprus.
A basic set of documents:
- A copy of a valid passport or another travel document with a validity of at least three months beyond the required duration of stay;
- A copy of the page of the passport or other travel document indicating the last entry into the Republic and the entry visa;
- Original guarantee letter of 10 years validity, issued by a bank in Cyprus to cover possible repatriation expenses;
- A certificate of health insurance (Plan A) covering inpatient and outpatient expenses and transport of remains, or a certificate of enrollment in the GESY General Health Care System together with a Plan A health plan with coverage of transportation of remains only;
- A copy of the marriage certificate (if the applicant is married);
- Title deed or rental agreement. Stamp duty must be paid on such an agreement;
- Evidence of stable income outside the Republic of Cyprus (salary, pension, bank accounts and movement of funds in them, rent, dividends, etc.);
- A bank account statement from a bank in Cyprus that shows the transfers from abroad;
- Application of the host party for the applicant’s accommodation (if the accommodation is paid for by someone other than the applicant);
- A statement of acceptance of expenses by another person or entity (if applicable). If the statement is provided by the person who is taking over the applicant’s expenses, documentary evidence of their income must be attached.
All submitted documents must be original copies and duly certified. Please note that this may take longer than you planned as some may have to be requested from abroad.
In addition, all documents and certificates must be translated into Greek or English. A notarized translation is sufficient for documents from the Russian Federation, while an apostille is also required for documents from other countries.
The Pink Slip application takes place in person – you are photographed, fingerprinted, and asked to sign the application. Your presence is therefore compulsory. Once the application is submitted, you can legally stay in Cyprus until you receive a pink plastic card – the ‘pink slip.’
PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT IN CYPRUS
In most cases, third-country nationals first obtain a residence permit of various statuses: worker, student, self-sufficient, volunteer, and so on. And then acquire a Long Term Residence Permit (LTRP).
Who can get a permanent residence permit?
Anyone can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years of legal residence in Cyprus under specific temporary permits ( as a student, temporary worker, refugee, or with a Pink Slip).
What do I need to do to obtain a permanent residence permit?
To obtain a long-term residence permit, a third-country national must complete the relevant application form, accompany it with all the necessary documents and submit it in person at the office of the Migration Department in Nicosia (by appointment). The filing fee for the application is €30 and is payable in person.
What documents do I need to obtain a permanent residence permit?
You’ll need to attach to the application form the following documents:
- a passport or other travel document valid for at least two years and certified copies thereof (including the arrival and departure pages);
- a valid residence permit in the Republic of Cyprus with an address in the territory controlled by the Government of the Republic;
- a contract of Employment with the employer for an indefinite period or a minimum period of eighteen months, stating the exact salary. For the self-employed, a written declaration of self-employment with a description of the intended work and a declaration of expected income. Also, a registration receipt from the social security office;
- certificates of academic/professional qualifications, proof of previous experience, and professional authorizations/licenses;
- income tax declarations for the last five years and a certificate of no tax arrears or a confirmation from the Inland Revenue Department that no tax liability has been incurred;
- a statement of social security contributions for the last five years for those cases where contributions are compulsory or a confirmation from the social security office that there is no obligation to pay social security contributions;
- VAT returns for the last five years (if applicable);
- bank statements;
- a declaration of income from sources other than Employment. An affidavit must accompany the declaration;
- title to the property (or documents of impending purchase) or lease agreement in the applicant’s name. Receipts of rent, telephone, electricity, or water bills for the last six months;
- health insurance policy (Plan A);
- certificate of a clean criminal record;
- Certificate of proficiency in the Greek language.
CATEGORIES OF RESIDENCE PERMITS FOR LONG-TERM STAYS
So far, along with the new EU instructions, Cyprus uses the old letter system of defining the type of documents for non-EU citizens. According to the system, all short-term migration documents are divided into the following types:
Category A: Persons who intend to work as self-employed in agriculture, animal husbandry, poultry farming, or fish farming in the Republic, provided that they own the relevant land or have permission to acquire it, they have capital of about €430,000, and such activities will not adversely affect the country’s economy.
Category B: Persons who intend to work in the mining sector, provided they have the appropriate permit, have a capital of about €350,000, and such activity will not adversely affect the Cyprus economy.
Category C: Persons who intend to work as self-employed in a trade or other business, provided they have the appropriate permit and capital of about €260,000. Such activities will not adversely affect the country’s economy.
Category D: For non-EU citizens who intend to work as self-employed in science or highly specialized occupations if they are academically or professionally qualified and have sufficient funds.
Category E: For persons who are permanently employed in Cyprus.
Category F: Non-EU citizens who wish to live in Cyprus without the right to work and have the financial capacity to do so. The required annual income is set by the Cypriot Migration Department at a minimum of €9,500 per applicant. And not less than €4,600 for each dependant. The Board of Immigration Control may require additional amounts if deemed necessary. Most applicants (e.g., pensioners) fall into this category.
CATEGORY F (VISA F) RESIDENCE PERMIT:
Important: this is the only category permit that can be obtained for all family members simultaneously (family members here are defined as husband or wife and children up to 18 years old). F visa holders do not have the right to work in Cyprus.
The relevant application must be submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department directly or through the Aliens and Immigration Police District Offices to issue a permit. All the usual documents and original income documents must accompany the application.
Applicants abroad may submit their application through the local consular authorities of the Republic of Cyprus (or by power of attorney through a lawyer). Applications are examined by the Immigration Control Committee, which forwards the relevant proposal to the Minister of Interior for final decision.
The fee for the permit is €500 and is payable upon submission of the application.
In certain cases, the immigrant permit is automatically revoked. For example, if the applicant is absent from Cyprus for two years or fails to submit biometrics within one year of the application being approved.
RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR EU CITIZENS AND SPOUSES OF EU CITIZENS
EU citizens and their family members can reside and work in Cyprus without a visa.
EU citizens have the right to reside in Cyprus for three months, after which they must register and obtain a so-called Yellow Slip.
Spouses of Cypriot and EU citizens obtain residence and work permits in the Republic of Cyprus differently.
SPOUSES OF CYPRIOT NATIONALS
Spouses of Cypriot nationals must apply for a temporary residence permit – Pink Slip (MCYV2 application form). This type of Pink Slip is temporary and has to be renewed when it expires. The Pink slip for spouses of Cypriot Nationals allows its holders to reside and work in the Republic of Cyprus for the period it is issued.
To obtain such a permit, the applicant must submit certain documents. The authorities review the application and make a decision. Here is a list of some required documents:
- valid identity documents of the Cypriot spouse and third-country national applicant
- the couple’s marriage certificate
- the applicant’s health insurance
- medical examination report
- an original criminal record certificate.
Once approved, the applicant will be allowed to reside and work in the Republic without any obstacles during the period for which the residence permit is issued.
SPOUSES OF EU CITIZENS
Spouses of EU citizens residing in the Republic of Cyprus must apply for a residence permit (Yellow Slip) by completing the MEU2 application form at the Migration Department.
The permit is unlimited in duration and must be submitted no later than four months after the applicant enters the Republic of Cyprus.
Some of the documents required when applying for a MEU2 residence permit:
- Valid identity documents for the EU spouse and the third-country national applicant;
- EU residence permit, if any;
- Marriage certificate;
- the “harmonious couple living” statement;
- Proof of ownership or lease agreement for the couple’s property.
The applicant must be present with an EU citizen spouse to apply. Once approved, the applicant will be allowed to reside and work in the Republic of Cyprus without any restrictions.
“THE BRIDE’S VISA”
Those who plan to marry a Cypriot or an EU citizen can obtain one of the varieties of visitor’s Pink Slip, so-called the “bride visa.” To get this category of residence permit, you will need, among others, the following documents:
- A copy of a valid passport or another travel document with a validity of at least three months beyond the required duration of stay;
- A copy of the page of the passport or other travel document indicating the last entry into the Republic and the entry visa;
- approval letter (if necessary);
- original 10-year letter of guarantee issued by a banking institution to cover possible repatriation costs;
- A certificate of health insurance covering inpatient and outpatient services and body transport (Plan A) or a certificate of enrollment in the General Medical Care System;
- Evidence of a stable income outside the Republic of Cyprus (salary, pension, bank accounts, movements in them, rent, dividends, etc.)
- Certificate of payment of social insurance contributions of a Cypriot national who is a family member of a foreigner (if employed);
- A certificate that the applicant is unmarried or a divorce certificate;
- Confirmation of the host’s place of residence, title deeds, or the host’s rental contract (if necessary).
