A person can apply to obtain an Immigration Permit on the basis of one of the Categories referred to in Regulation 5 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations. An Immigration Permit will not be granted to anybody unless the Immigration Control Committee 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, 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 approximately €430,000 (CY£250,000) and such an employment should not negatively affect the general economy of the Republic.
Category B: Persons who intend to work as self employed in mining enterprises in the Republic, provided that they have in their possession a relative permit, they have fully and freely at their disposal capital of approximately €350,000 (CY£200,000) and such an employment should not negatively affect the general economy of the Republic.
Category C: Persons who intend to work as self employed in a trade or profession in the Republic, provided that they have in their possession a relative permit, they have fully and freely at their disposal capital of approximately €260,000 (CY£150,000) and such an employment should not affect negatively the general economy of the Republic.
Category D: Persons who intend to work as self employed in a profession or science in the Republic, 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 €9568,17 (CY£5,600) for a single applicant and moreover at least €4613,22 (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.
Permanent Residence – Fast Truck Procedure – Regulation 6(2)
According to the provisions of Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, PRPs may be granted to third country nationals who fulfill the following criteria:
Temporary Residence Permit (Pink Slip)
A Temporary Residence Permit (Pink Slip) is for non-EU citizens in Cyprus for long-term a Temporary Residence Permit (Pink Slip) can be issued for 1-4 years
The ‘Pink Slip’ is a special temporary permit issued for Non-EU citizens who come to Cyprus for long-term purposes. This type of permit can be issued for a period of 1 to 4 years (with a limitation of absence period not more than 4 months). A Temporary Residence Permit (Pink Slip) could be issued for a period of 1-2 years upon first application and will be easily extended for a further 1-2 year period thereafter.
Temporary Residence Permit (Pink Slip) – Visitor Visa
Visitor Visas are normally provided to applicants under the following categories:
- Spouses from third countries that are married to Cypriot citizens/or parents-in-law from third countries/or underage children of foreigners (younger than 18 years) who have applied for family reunification and a residence permit;
- Third country nationals that apply for an extension of their visitors visa and which have enough funds from abroad to support themselves (or foreigners who have enterprises in Cyprus);
- Applicants who have received temporary entry permits from consular authorities of Cyprus abroad; having the term FINAL on them, may apply for an extension when special reasons are taken into consideration (e.g. humanitarian reasons, householders of property in Cyprus etc);
- Non-EU citizens who open real estate in Cyprus automatically obtain the “Pink Slip – Visitor” status. Nonetheless, this does not grant such persons the right to employment.
Temporary Residence Permit (Pink Slip) – Student Visa
Each student who takes a long-term course at a Cyprus educational institution must obtain permission for long stay. Students from non-EU countries can be issued visas by an Embassy / Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in the student’s home country or by the Migration Department of Cyprus. International students must report to their educational institution immediately upon arrival to register and complete other formalities required for obtaining further temporary resident permits.
Temporary Residence Permit (Pink Slip) – Employment Visa
Applications for the issue of Entry and Temporary Residence and Employment Permits must be submitted by the Cypriot employer through the District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police or at the Central Offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia. The applications should be submitted along with the contract of employment certified by the Department of Labor of the Ministry of Employment and Social Insurance, which is the competent Department for securing that there are no Cypriots or citizens of Member States of the European Union, available or adequately qualified for the specific job or post prior to recommending the employment of third country nationals. The applicant must proceed to register with the District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police. The maximum duration of employment in most cases is four years (exemptions may apply).