Temporary Residence Permits

The spouse of a Cypriot citizen, children under 18 years old and parents-in-law. There are criteria for family reunification that have to be met and applicants need to provide documents proving their relationship. A Republic of Cyprus temporary residence permit allows direct family members married to a Cypriot Citizen the opportunity to apply and stay in the Republic for one year and can be renewed on an annual basis, this is dependent on the relevant criteria being met. This permit only applies if he or she does not have an existing Cypriot permit currently in place. This allows children younger than 18 years of age (also from a previous marriage) and / or Parents in-law to make their own separate application, provided that the provisions for reunification are met.

For the first application for a temporary residence permit, family members must enter the Republic as a visitor through a legal entry (Visa – Issued by the Diplomatic and Consular Authorities of the Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs). This combined with the presentation of a valid travel document requires an application to be made prior to the expiration of the Visa at the central offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department or at the district branch of the Aliens Immigration office.

The application process for the Third Country National requires documentation as follows:

• A copy of a Valid Passport or travel document with at least three months from the date of application including the last arrival to the Republic and any relevant Visas;
• Clear Criminal Record Certificate – this original document obtained from the country of residence or origin must be officially certified with translation in Greek or English;
• Original medical examination certificate of blood tests stamped by a specialist doctor from the Republic of Cyprus that proves the TCN does not suffer from;
  • Hepatitis B and C;
  • HIV;
  • Syphilis;
  • Chest X-Ray for Tuberculosis.
• An original letter of guarantee issued by a Bank or cooperative institution in Cyprus with a validity of 10 years covering possible repatriation expenses in the name of the applicant from their own bank account;
• Health insurance certificate for medical care that covers both inpatient and outpatient, this must cover transportation of a corpse;
• Certified copy of the Title Deed or Tenancy agreement document in the name of the Cypriot Citizen;
• Detailed Bank Statements for the supporting Cypriot Citizen with at least 12 months validity showing no less than €2,000 each month or €24,000 per year for one person. This figure increases by 20% for the spouse and an additional 15% for each child. It must be noted that at the time of application there can be no less than €6,000 which equates to three months of income;
• Original Marriage Certificate certified and translated into Greek or English (where applicable)
• In addition to the above documentation, children of Cypriot Citizens that have acquired citizenship by Naturalization or Registration due to marriage with a Cypriot Citizen should attach the following information:
  • Certificate of Registration or Naturalization of the Cypriot parent
  • Copy of school attendance
  • Photocopy of valid temporary residence permit for the child

Must apply for first registration and Temporary Resident Permit as a visitor to enter the Republic of Cyprus through a legal entry (Visa) issued by the Diplomatic and Consular Authorities of Cyprus. He / She can then apply for a Visitor Visa with documentation as listed below:

Evidence that the applicant has adequate resources (Satisfactory income) from outside the Republic, these must be verified and can be in the form of:

1. Salary from abroad;
2. Current pension;
3. Deposits in a bank account from previous work;
4. Rents received from foreign investments;
5. Dividends from a company;
6. Savings (Including any interest received).

OR

• • • Sponsorship may be another possibility if the above financial resources are not possible. This avenue would require the sponsor to make a declaration that all the living expenses for the TCN will be undertaken, proof of adequate income will need to be provided.
    • Valid Passport – Needs to have at least 6 months remaining, if this is not the case then proof of application for a renewal of the passport from the applicant’s Embassy is required, this may result in an application being delayed until the renewed passport has been issued.
    • Copy of current Passport or travel documents that show any previous visits to the Republic of Cyprus and relevant Visas, if applicable.
    • An original letter of guarantee issued by a Bank or cooperative institution in Cyprus with validity of 10 years covering possible repatriation expenses in the name of the applicant from their own bank account.
    • Certificate from a bank in the Republic of Cyprus that shows International Money Transfers (SWIFT) from abroad. Immigration authorities will require bank account statements showing such transactions.
    • Applicants to have a valid rental agreement in place or 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 medical examination certificate of blood tests stamped by a specialist doctor from the Republic of Cyprus that proves the TCN does not suffer from:
      • Hepatitis B and C;
      • HIV;
      • Syphilis;
      • Chest X-Ray for Tuberculosis.
  • 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.
  • In the case of an application for a family – A certified (Apostille – Certified document for use in another country) copy of the marriage certificate or civil union certificate and a child’s Birth Certificate is required (Documents must be translated into English or Greek). The main applicant should provide a bank statement with at least €10,000.00 originating from abroad and a further €5,000.00 for each dependent person’s expenses. If the whole family applies at the same time, each member is required to file a separate application form.
  • Bank guarantee to be set up in a Cyprus bank for each applicant. The amount differs depending on nationality:
    • Middle Eastern Countries = €350;
    • Eastern European Countries = €515;
    • Asian / American Countries = €855.

Please note that the amounts listed above can change but contact with colleagues at Rideo Group will confirm upon application.

In order to study at an Institution within the Republic of Cyprus the following required documents must be submitted:

• Duly certified copy of passport or other travel document, with a validity of:
  • The duration of the expected study course or at least 2 years.
• In cases of minors, duly certified parental approval of the suggested residence, with official translation in Greek or English;
• Duly certified copy of criminal record from the official authorities of the country of residence with official translation in Greek or English;
• Original medical examination certificate of blood tests stamped by a specialist doctor from the country of origin (With a validity of four months) that proves the student does not suffer from:
  • Hepatitis B and C;
  • HIV/AIDS;
  • Syphilis;
  • Chest X-Ray for Tuberculosis.
• Acceptance letter from an Educational Institution, in order to register to a program of studies, including a description of the specific program of studies and its duration;
• Receipt of payment of registration fees to the Educational Institution;
• Duly certified copy of confirmation letter from a Banking Institution in his country of residence, of his financial ability to cover tuition fees, living and repatriation expenses or duly certified confirmation letter of scholarship, issued by the awarding institution, if this is in his country of residence;
• Application Form M58 / M62 thoroughly completed and signed.
• Payment of application fees, these will be notified by Rideo Group upon request;
• Proof of comprehensive health insurance in the Republic, unless the applicant is automatically insured with his registration to the Education Institution;
• Confirmation from a Banking Institution in the Republic that the applicant has transferred sufficient funds to his personal account to cover tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses for the period that the residence permit is applied for.
• Personal Bank Guarantee or Bank Guarantee from the Education Institution for repatriation expenses.

The maximum period of stay for Third Country Nationals cannot exceed four years with the exception of livestock farming and agriculture sectors, where this is set to six years. There are exemptions from this limit as below:

• Highly skilled personnel employed in companies with turnover of more than a million or hundreds of thousands euros and with activities within the priorities set for economic development;
• Athletes and coaches of individual or team sports,
• Religious Icon painters (until the completion of a specific project),
• Journalists/ correspondents,
• Syrian nationals of Cretan descent – Kurdish (approved catalogues)
• Homogeneous third country nationals.

The application process requires the individual to complete forms MGEN2 or MNSP2, Rideo Group professionals will be happy to assist and answer any questions regarding this matter. The issue of Entry and Temporary Residence and Employment Permit is submitted by the employer to the Civil Registry and Migration Department through the appropriate 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.

Applications must be submitted alongside the Contract of Employment duly certified by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Employment and Social Insurances.

Third country nationals must proceed for registration at the appropriate District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police, or the Central Offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia, within 7 days from the date of the arrival. Biometric data such as fingerprints and photos are collected.

There are a number of categories for visitors which we will touch upon but primarily a visitors permit is issued to a TCN for the purpose of:

• Entering the Republic of Cyprus for short or long term holidays;
• Touring;
• Investigating the possibility of permanent settlement to the Republic of Cyprus at a later date.

As previously mentioned the categories of differing visitors are listed below:

• Autonomous visitor permit;
• Dependent Spouse permit;
• Dependent Minor Child of Visitor;
• Priest, Monk / Nun of the Orthodox Church or Minority Churches within the Republic;
• Dependent partner of a Cypriot Citizen with a proven permanent relationship for the purpose of marriage.

For any application, supporting documents are required, our highly trained and professional team at the Rideo Group can advise and assist, we will be happy to liases and undertake any necessary tasks for you. Applications for the first registration for the granting of a Temporary Residence Permit is for one year which are renewable providing the relevant criteria is continued and met.