Temporary Residence Permits In Cyprus: Explained
Imagine swapping your everyday backdrop for the picturesque landscapes of Cyprus, even if just for a while. Securing a temporary residence permit is your first step towards this dream. Don’t Worry! We’ve got you covered for getting it!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the scenic route of paperwork and processes, ensuring your temporary stay in Cyprus is nothing short of extraordinary.
Let’s dive in!
What Is The Permit To Study In Cyprus?
To obtain a TRP, you must apply for a student visa from the consulate or embassy of Cyprus in your home country.
When you arrive in Cyprus on a student visa, you are allowed to stay for 90 days.
After arriving in Cyprus on a student visa, you must apply for a Temporary Cyprus Residence Permit (Pink Slip) at the Cyprus Migration Department within one week of your arrival.
It is usually valid for 1 year and can be renewed annually, provided you still meet the requirements. This permit allows the holder to live in Cyprus for a year.
The documents required for a TRP include proof of acceptance at a Cypriot educational institution, proof of paid tuition fees, proof of accommodation in Cyprus, a valid passport, proof of sufficient financial means, and proof of health insurance.
The TPR also allows you to work part-time up to 20 hours per week.
After completing your studies, if you have pursued a master’s or PhD course, you can apply for a permit for job-searching or entrepreneurship, one year after the completion of your studies.
This permit is often used for vocational training as well.
What Is The Permit For Employment In Cyprus?
Prior to traveling to Cyprus and obtaining the residence permit, individuals must also obtain a Cyprus work permit and work visa. Non-EU citizens who come to Cyprus to work must obtain a residence permit upon arrival.
The temporary residence permit is usually valid for 1 year and can be renewed on an annual basis.
For a TPR on a work permit you need:
- Application on forms M
- A photocopy of the foreigner’s passport
- A clean criminal record certificate of the foreigner
- Medical certificates of the foreigner
- Work contract stamped by the Department of Labour
What Is The TPR For Eu Blue Card Holders?
The Republic will issue a Blue Card to highly skilled workers from third countries coming to Cyprus for employment, according to a draft law approved by the Council of Ministers yesterday (Philenews, 2024).
A salary threshold is set in the draft law for granting the Blue Card at 1 to 1.6 times the average gross annual salary of the member state.
Additionally, it introduces the possibility of short and long-term mobility within the EU based on simplified rules after twelve months of employment in the first member state.
Consideration of a valid employment contract and the relevant high professional qualifications by the Department of Labour is mandatory for both the initial permit and changing employers within the first twelve months of residence.
Philenews states that member states must ensure that the level of procedural guarantees and rights provided to EU Blue Card holders and their family members will not be lower than the level of procedural guarantees and rights enjoyed by holders of national residence permits.
Permit For Research
Third-country nationals who wish to conduct research in Cyprus can apply for a temporary residence permit (TRP) for the purpose of education and research. The application for the TRP should be submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Cyprus.
Approval by a recognized research organization is needed for the purpose of performing research, such as:
- A doctorate researcher
- A postdoctoral researcher
- A researcher under a recognized European/other program
Documents Required
- Application Form M58, completed and signed.
- Certified copy of passport or other travel document, valid for at least the expected duration of the research, or at least two years.
- Certified copy of criminal record or Certificate of Good Conduct from the official authorities (with an official translation in Greek or English).
- A written undertaking from the research organization that, in the event that a researcher remains illegally in the territory of Cyprus, that research organization is responsible for reimbursing the costs related to the stay and return.
There is a €55 fee for the application form.
What Is The Permit For Self-Employment?
Non-EU citizens who want to work as self-employed in Cyprus must obtain a work permit. The process typically involves the following steps:
- Registering The Business
- Understanding Legal Requirements: This includes registering for Value Added Tax (VAT) if the annual turnover meets the threshold etc.
- Compliance With Employment Laws: This concerns regulations related to employment contracts, working hours, and worker rights.
- Application For The Self-Employment Permit: Once the business is registered and all legal requirements are met, the application for the self-employment permit can be submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
- Obtain the Work Permit
Permit For Family Reunification
If you have family members who wish to join you in Cyprus, they will need to apply for a temporary residence permit for family reunification. The rules vary according to your nationality.
EU Citizens’ Family Members
The permit is granted for five years or limited to the envisaged period of residence of the EU citizen.
The “envisaged period of residence” refers to the anticipated duration for which the individual, typically a non-EU family member of an EU citizen, is expected to reside in Cyprus.
The EU citizen must have resided lawfully in Cyprus for at least two years, have sufficient financial means, health insurance and an accommodation for their family.
Non-EU Citizens’ Family Members
Family members of non-EU nationals will have the right to family reunification if the sponsor has resided lawfully in Cyprus for at least two years, possesses sufficient financial means, health insurance coverage, and adequate accommodation.
The family members in this case include the spouse (as long as the marriage took place at least one year before submitting the application), one minor child, and parents if they are dependent on the sponsor.
The residence permit is granted for one year and subject to renewal and not longer than that of the sponsor’s permit.
The application for family reunification must be submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Cyprus.
The family members have the right to work or undertake self-employment.
Keep in mind, employment for family members is limited for a period not exceeding 12 months, and a market test is required.
What Is The Cyprus Temporary Residence Permit Application Procedure
The Cyprus temporary residence permit application procedure has several requirements:
- Entry Visa Or Entry Permit: Foreigners must obtain either an entry visa from the Cyprus consulate or an entry permit from the Cyprus Civil Registry and Migration Department before arriving in Cyprus.
- Registration And Application: Within one week after arriving in Cyprus, foreigners must register with the Aliens Register and apply for a temporary residence permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department. This involves submitting the application and the required documents to the relevant authorities.
- Biometrics And Residence Card: Upon application, the Cypriot immigration authorities will take the applicant’s biometrics, including fingerprints and a photograph. If the application is approved, the applicant will be contacted to receive their residence card.
- Document Requirements: The specific document requirements include an application form, a foreign passport or travel document, bank statements to prove adequate funds, passport photographs, clean criminal record certificate, medical certificates, proof of accommodation, comprehensive health insurance coverage and other supporting documents based on the type of residence permit being applied for.
For a Cyprus residence permit, the application fee is €140.
What Is The Renewal Procedure For TPR?
To renew a temporary residence permit (TRP) in Cyprus, you should follow these guidelines:
- Apply for the renewal at least one month before the expiry of your current residence permit.
- Submit the application at the same location where you received your original residence permit.
- Provide the required original documents, such as proof of acceptance at a Cypriot educational institution, proof of paid tuition fees, proof of accommodation in Cyprus, a valid passport, proof of sufficient financial means, and proof of health insurance
For employment, it is processed within four months, for studying within three months, for family reunification within nine months, and for permanent residency within five years.
For a temporary residence permit renewal, the fee is €70.
Permanent Residence And Citizenship In Cyprus
If you want to stay in Cyprus indefinitely it’s recommended to apply for PR and later for citizenship.
For PR there are 2 options to go by:
- Normal-Track Option
- Cyprus Permanent Residence Program
Foreigners are offered 3 paths to Cyprus citizenship:
- Descent
- Marriage
- Naturalization
Conclusion
As our journey through the nuances of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Cyprus comes to a close, remember, this is just the beginning of your Cypriot adventure.
With the right paperwork and a dash of patience, the island’s enchanting beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture are yours to explore, temporarily, but with memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s to your Cypriot chapter!
Cyprus Calls!
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