Long Term Residence and Immigration Permits

Permanent or Long-Term Residence

The opportunity for individuals listed below are permitted to enter the Republic of Cyprus and eligible to apply for Long-Term or Permanent Residency, our specialist team at the Rideo Group can assist in all aspects of this difficult application process:

• Third Country Nationals (Including family members of EU citizens);
• EU citizens and their family members;
• Asylum seekers and recognised refugees.

The Criteria for applying upon arrival to the Republic are as follows:

• Form MLT1 may be obtained from the offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department, the District offices of the Aliens and Immigration unit of the Police or from the internet;
• Applications along with the required documents should be submitted in person to the offices of the Department in Nicosia. Applicants can be accompanied by a professional which is where the Rideo Group can assist, making the process easier as we understand that incomplete and incorrect documentation may not be accepted for examination, this will delay the process and could result in unnecessary additional costs;
• Rideo Group will advise of any fees required by the Department;
• The examination period is estimated to be 6 months from the date of application;
• EU Citizens have the right to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit upon arrival to the Republic thus allowing them to seek immediate employment and register with the Social Insurance Department;
• Permanent or Long-Term Residency may be secured after a period of five continuous years in the Republic or less if certain criteria are met. Rideo Group colleagues will be happy to advise;
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers must meet further criteria for which the Rideo Group can offer expert support and advice;
• Five years residence in Government-Controlled areas accompanied by a letter from the Asylum Service or the Reviewing Authority of Refugees with which the status of the recognised refugee or the status of subsidiary protection has been granted;
• Stable and regular resources so that they are not reliant on the social assistance system of the Republic, may include evidence from family in the form of Salary, Pension, Bank accounts, Dividends, Interest on deposits, etc to support the refugee;
• The last temporary residence permit;
• Copy of Passport and Marriage certificate (If applicable);
• Birth Certificate of Child;
• Living accommodation - Title or ownership or rental agreement;
• Letter of approval for family reunification (Where applicable);
• Certificate of Health Insurance for medical care that covers inpatient and outpatient care and transportation of corpse (Rideo Group can assist in obtaining insurance);
• Certificate of Knowledge of Basic Greek (Level A2);
• The applicant must be considered an honorable and good person, not to seek public order offenses or a threat to public security.

Required Documents / Certificates necessary for the application:

• Passport or other travel document valid at least for two years and copies of the above (including the pages which show the stamps of arrivals and departures) certified by the President of the Community Council (Mukhtar/Mayor) or a Certified Officer;
• Stamped (by Stamps Commissioner) contract of employment with a registered with the Employees Registry employer of open duration or for at least eighteen months that state the exact salary. In the case of self-employment, a written statement of self-employment is required with the description of the intended job and declaration of the expected income accompanied by the registration receipt from Social Insurance Services;
• Certificates of academic/vocational qualifications, confirmation of previous experience and vocational/professional permits/licenses;
• Income tax returns for the last five years and tax clearance certificate or confirmation from the Inland Revenue Department that there is no tax payment obligation;
• Statement of social insurance contributions for the last five years for those cases where contributions are mandatory according to the provisions of Social Insurance Law or confirmation from the Social Insurance Services that there is no Social Insurance payment obligation;
• Value Added Tax returns for the last five years and tax clearance certificate in all cases where the provisions of the Value Added Tax Law are relevant or confirmation from the Customs and Excise Department that there is no V.A.T. payment obligation (for employment in self-owned companies or self-employment);
• Bank accounts statements;
• Income declaration from sources, other than employment which must be accompanied by Affidavit;
• Applicants to have a valid rental agreement in place or a personal property with title deeds, these will need to be certified by the Mayor (Mukhtar) of the community. If the applicant has a host (Sponsor) then a declaration for the provision of suitable accommodation needs to be provided.
• Health insurance certificate for medical care that covers both inpatient and outpatient, this must cover transportation of a corpse;
• Original Clear Criminal record certificate from the original country of origin or residence must be provided and certified with an official translation into Greek or English;
• Certificate of knowledge of the Greek language (level A2) for foreigners (if necessary).

RENEWAL OF LONG-TERM STATUS IN THE REPUBLIC

• Applications for renewal should be submitted three months before the expiry date of the permit. The application fee will be advised by the Rideo Group;
• MLT form fully completed;
• Valid passport for at least two years and certified copies of the above, including the pages with the stamps of arrivals and departures from the Republic;
• The expired long-term residence permit;
• Criminal record certificate.

Permanent Residency Programme (Permit)

There are different categories for a visa or ‘Green Card’ as defined by the Cyprus Civil Registry and Migration Department. A person can apply to obtain Residency in the Republic on the basis of one of the Categories listed below:

• Visa Category A - Foreign nationals who intend to work as self-employed in agriculture, cattle/bird breeding or fish culture in the Republic, provided that they have in their possession adequate land whose activities do not negatively affect the Cypriot economy.
• Visa Category B - Foreign nationals who intend to work as self-employed in mining enterprises in the Republic, provided that they have in their possession a relative permit and a significant amount of capital but does not negatively affect the Cypriot economy.
• Visa Category C - Foreign nationals 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 and a significant amount of capital but does not negatively affect the Cypriot economy.
• Visa Category D - Foreign nationals 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, along with adequate funds.
• Visa Category E - Foreign nationals who have been offered permanent employment in the Republic, which will not create undue local competition.
• Visa Category F - Foreign nationals 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 (mostly pensioners or retired persons). The annual income required should be at least €9568,17 for a single applicant and at least €4613,22 for every dependent person, the funds must be from abroad and can be from Salaries, Pensions, Stock & Shares, Rents etc. It must be noted that the Immigration Control Board may demand additional amounts as necessary.
• Final Residency Permit - Final Residence Permit Extensions are available for those who have fulfilled the criteria and the required period of residence and would like to extend their stay. Rideo Group can undertake this process and make an appeal on your behalf to the Ministry of Interior for a Final Residency Permit Extension. Contact us directly to see if you are eligible for an extension.

The process for obtaining a Permanent Residency Permit in the Republic of Cyprus requires the following documentation:

• Application can be submitted by a Lawyer, Rideo Group are in the position to fulfill this task with submission made at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia;
• Copy of Passport of the applicant and family members;
• CV for the applicant;
• Marriage Certificate (Officially Certified and Translated);
• Child's Birth Certificate (Officially Certified and Translated);
• Original Criminal Record Certificate, this must be issued by the country of residence and submitted with an officially certified translation;
• Documented proof of financial funds from abroad;
• Contract of sale or Title Deeds of the property in the Republic;
• Property purchase receipts with Banks documentation;
• Criminal Record Certificate (Officially Certified and Translated) from the Ministry of Foreign affairs or Embassy of the issuing country.

Rideo Group professionals can help you navigate the criteria and the paperwork required and follow-up any application on your behalf. If there are any questions or uncertainty please don't hesitate in contacting one of the team for an informal chat.

More content is coming soon. For any inquiries contact us!