This Article contains information on the Cyprus Visa Application and Immigration Requirements: 2019. Cyprus is an island country with a rich history and culture. The country is full of interesting and exciting opportunities related to events, customs, places, and activities.
Yearly, many people travel to Cyprus for numerous reasons either for tourism, business, study, visit or immigration. Depending on the purpose of the trip to Cyprus, there are different types of visas that apply to the occasion.
So before applying for a Cyprus visa, it is necessary to know the Cyprus visa requirements and which of the visa category that you are eligible for.
CYPRUS CATEGORIES OF VISAS
Short-stay or travel visas, including multiple-entry visas.
If you are traveling to the Republic of Cyprus for reasons other than immigration, and your visit does not exceed three months, you might need a travel visa. The travel visa gives you the right for a continuous visit or several visits to Cyprus. The duration of visits in total should not exceed three months in any half of a year from the date of the first visit. In general the short-stay Cyprus visa is issued for one or several visits.
In case you need to come to Cyprus often (business trips etc.) it is possible to get a multiple-entry visa for several visits. The total duration of the visits should not exceed three months in any half of a year from the date of the first entry. The multiple-entry Cyprus visa is valid for one year. In exceptional cases it might be valid for more than a year but no more than five years for certain categories of persons.
Long-stay visas
If you are planning to stay in Cyprus for more than three months you will have to apply for a long-stay visa.
Airport transit visa (ATV)
If you have to pass through the international transit area of Cypriot airports without actually entering the national territory of Cyprus during a stop-over or transfer between two stages of an international flight, you might need an Airport Transit Visa. The requirement to have this type of visa is an exception to the general rule to transit without a visa through Cyprus.
Transit visas
If you are traveling from one country to another country and you have to pass through the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, to do so you might need a Transit Visa. This visa may be issued for one transit, or exceptionally for several transits. The duration of each transit case should not exceed five days. The transit visa is issued provided that the entry of the traveler into the territory of the destination country is guaranteed and that the route taken normally requires transit through Cyprus.
Group visas
This is a transit visa or a visa limited to a maximum of thirty days, which may be affixed to a group passport – except where national legislation provides otherwise – issued to a group of travelers formed prior to the decision to travel. The group visa is issued, provided that the members of the group enter the territory, stay there and leave it as a group.
Group visas may be issued to groups of between 5 and 50 people. The person in charge of the group should possess an individual passport and, where necessary, an individual visa.
CYPRUS SHORT STAY VISA REQUIREMENTS
- Application must be submitted in person. However, for those who reside more than 200 miles (300 kms) from the Consulate, the applications may be submitted by recorded delivery enclosing a registered self-addressed special delivery envelope for the safe return of the passport and the documents.
- One completed application form signed by the applicant (or the legal guardian in the case of minors) with 2 passport sized photographs attached.
- A full national passport valid for at least three months longer than the validity of the visa being applied for. Visitors wishing to obtain a visa are advised to be in possession of a passport valid at least for 6 months beyond the period of intended stay.
- The visa for the return country must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay.
- Provisional Books or Itinerary of travel arrangements (Round trip ticket with fixed dates) is a must. Ticket should not be purchased before the visa is issued.
- Prior Hotel Reservation faxed by the Hotel Manager.
- If visiting on business, an official letter of invitation from a Cyprus company must be presented.
- If visiting friends or family, a letter of invitation from them with their full address, phone number and occupation in Cyprus (and often, along with a certified Assumption of Responsibility form, duly completed and signed by the host).
- Solid evidence that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the intended stay in Cyprus, e.g. a bank statement or travelers’ cheques (credit cards can be accepted only in addition to bank statements and only with recent statement confirming credit limit. Please note that cash is not an acceptable proof).
- A recent (less than one month old) official letter from the employer addressed to the Cyprus Consulate with proof of the applicants wages / salary. If self-employed, a letter from the solicitor, the accountant or the bank manager of the applicant. If a student in the country of the Consulate, an original letter from the school or University addressed to the Cyprus Consulate confirming the status / attendance and the duration of the course.
- The Consulate may also ask for a copy of a Bank Guarantee Letter from the host, throughout a visitor’s stay in Cyprus, so as to cover the possible cost of repatriation. Bank Guarantee Letters are issued for the amount of:
- �500 for visitors from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, and other Asian countries
- �300 for visitors from the CIS, and other Eastern Europe countries.
- �200 for visitors from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and other Middle East countries.
CYPRUS RESIDENCE VISA REQUIREMENTS
Foreign citizens may make an application to obtain an Immigration Permit on the basis of one of the Categories referred to in Regulation 5 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations of 1972. An immigration permit will not be granted to anybody unless the Immigration Control Board recommends to the Minister of Interior that such person belongs to one of the following Categories:
Category A:
Persons who intend to work as self employed in agriculture, cattle breeding, bird breeding or fish culture in the Republic of Cyprus, provided that they have in their possession adequate land or a permit to acquire same, they have fully and freely at their disposal capital of CY�250,000 and such an employment should not negatively affect the general economy of the Republic of Cyprus.
Category B:
Persons who intend to work as self employed in mining enterprises in the Republic of Cyprus, provided that they have in their possession a relative permit, they have fully and freely at their disposal capital of CY�200,000 and such an employment should not negatively affect the general economy of the Republic of Cyprus.
Category C:
Persons who intend to work as self employed in a trade or profession in the Republic of Cyprus, provided that they have in their possession a relative permit, they have fully and freely at their disposal capital of CY�150,000 and such an employment should not affect negatively the general economy of the Republic of Cyprus.
Category D:
Persons who intend to work as self employed in a profession or science in the Republic of Cyprus, provided that they have academic or professional qualifications, for which there is demand in Cyprus. Possession of adequate funds is also necessary.
Category E:
Persons who have been offered permanent employment in the Republic, which will not create undue local competition.
Category F:
Persons who possess and have fully and freely at their disposal a secured annual income, high enough to give them a decent living in Cyprus, without having to engage in any business, trade or profession. The annual income required should be at least CY�5,600 for a single applicant and moreover at least CY�2,700 for every dependent person, but the Immigration Control Board may demand additional amounts as necessary. Most applicants come under this Category, the majority of them being pensioners or retired persons.
For the granting of an immigration permit application is submitted on form M.67 to the Civil Registry and Migration Department directly or through the District Aliens and Immigration Branches of the Police. The application should be accompanied by the appropriate documents, depending on the Category for which it is submitted.
Applications for Category F which are the most usual should be accompanied by the original documents regarding the income of the applicants. Applicants who are abroad may submit an application directly to Cyprus, as stated above or through the local Consular Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus. The applications are examined by the Immigration Control Board which submits a relevant suggestion to the Minister of the Interior for a decision to be taken.
The fees for the granting of immigration permit amount to CY�70 and are paid against a receipt following the approval of the application and before the issue of the immigration permit.
CYPRUS WORK VISA REQUIREMENTS
Issue of entry and work permits
Applications for the issue of entry and work permits in general categories of employment are submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department by the intended employer, through the respective District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police, on condition that the foreigners are abroad. The applications should be accompanied by a work contract stamped by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. The said Ministry is competent to examine whether regarding the specific profession or job there are no available or adequately qualified Cypriots and then to make a recommendation for employment of aliens. The applications are forwarded to the Civil Registry and Migration Department and after they are examined and it is established that there is nothing against the foreigners which prevents their entry into Cyprus, the relevant entry and work permits are issued.
Required documents:
- Application on forms M.58 and M.64
- A photocopy of foreigner’s passport
- A clean criminal record certificate of the foreigner
- Medical certificates of the foreigner
- A Bank letter of guarantee for 200-500 Cyprus Pounds, depending on the country of origin of the foreigner, to cover possible repatriation expenses, valid for six months after the expiration of the work contract
- A work contract, stamped by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and stamped with a revenue stamp from the Revenue Stamps Registrar.
- A fee of 20 Cyprus Pounds for submission of application
Renewal of residence and work permits
For the renewal of the Temporary Residence and Work Permit of the foreigners, it is necessary to submit an application on form M.61 through the District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police and to pay a fee of 20 Cyprus Pounds. Before the submission of the application the foreigner is registered at the District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police. For this registration the foreigner’s passport, three photographs of his/her and a fee of 20 Cyprus Pounds should be presented.
CYPRUS STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
Every student should be in possession of the relevant permit issued by the Civil Archive and Migration Department. The student visa is issued for a specific educational institution. In case of the foreign student deciding to change an educational institution, one must then obtain a new residence permit.
School attendance is compulsory and concerns the programmes and disciplines of study approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Admission process
Applicants � Nationals of other countries
International students from non EU countries need a student visa for entry to Cyprus. Student visas are issued only to full-time international students. A full-time student is one who takes a minimum of 12 credits in a semester.
Student visas can be issued either by an Embassy/ High Commission/ Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in the candidate’s home country or by the Migration Department in Cyprus.
Note:
Normally, foreign students from non EU countries are not allowed to work during their study in Cyprus. Exceptions are made by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for certain courses for which working permits may be issued to enable practical training during the summer vacations.
The foreign student has the right to invite to Cyprus his/her friends and relatives from abroad as guests under condition he/she can secure a bank deposit of 300 Cyprus Pound for each invited person.
Please consult theCyprus Embassy in your country for the updated Swiss Visa requirements!
