Short stay (under 90 days)
For a short term stay in Cyprus UK nationals do not need any visa. Russian nationals can take advantage of a user-friendly online pro-visa. Other non-EU citizens require a simple tourist visa or a multi-visa. Once you purchase a property in Cyprus you automatically have a right for a multi-visa for up to 5 years. This visa will allow you multiple entry for stay up to 180 days per year and up to 90 days within every 6 months period. Russian citizens can take advantage of a user-friendly online pro-visa.
Online Pro-Visa application for Russian citizens can be found here: https://www.provisa.mfa.gov.cy/russia
The applications submitted before 3:00 p.m. are processed on the same day. On receipt of the confirmation simply print it out and take with you to Cyprus.
Cyprus Temporary Residency categories (for staying in Cyprus for over 90 days)
Non EU citizens who plan to stay in Cyprus for over 90 days in half a year should apply for a Temporary Residency permit.
Cyprus property owners most commonly apply for Visitors visa (“Pink slip”). This visa is issued for 1 year and can be renewed annually. When investing into a property of adequate standard to the size of your family you can obtain a temporary residency in Cyprus. For example, if a 3 member family purchases a 2 bedroom apartment this would be considered an acceptable residence. Other requirements include sufficient annual income from abroad which covers living expenses while residing in Cyprus, without working or doing business. The required yearly income starts from €9,568 for one applicant plus €4,613 for each dependent person. Pink slip allows you to live in Cyprus as a visitor, i.e. without the right to work and is cancelled if you’re absent from Cyprus for more than 3 consecutive months. List of required documents for Pink Slip.
If you plan to work then you can apply for a general Employment visa valid for up to 4 years. Designed for professions that no Cypriots or EU citizens are available or adequately qualified for.
Another category of a temporary residency is a Student visa.
Cyprus Immigration Permit (unlimited residency)
Immigration Permits give you Cyprus Permanent Residency status which entitles Non-EU citizens and qualifying dependents to enter and stay as permanent residents in Cyprus with no need to renew it.
Most popular among our property buyers is Permanent Residency Category F. By investing into a property which is of adequate standard to the size of your family you can obtain a permanent residency in Cyprus. For example, if a 3 member family purchases a 2 bedroom apartment this would be considered an acceptable residence. Other requirements include sufficient annual income from abroad which covers living expenses while residing in Cyprus, without working or doing business. The required yearly income starts from €9,568 for one applicant plus €4,613 for each dependent person. You must keep in mind just one limitation. The permit will be cancelled if you are absent from Cyprus for a period of two years.
Category 6.2 (Fast Track Permanent Residency) can be obtained by investing at least €300.000 (plus VAT) in a brand-new property in Cyprus.
Category 6.2 is issued within a few months but this comes at a heavy financial cost over Visa F. See our comparison between Category 6.2 and Visa F here.
If you are interested in working in Cyprus you should consider these types of permanent residency:
Category C - Investors who work for their own company provided they bring from abroad a capital of approximately €260,000 which will be used for their company activities in Cyprus.
Category E - Persons who have been offered permanent employment in Cyprus, which will not create undue local competition.
List of required documents for Immigration Permit
Long Term residency
Non-EU citizens who had resided legally and continuously in Cyprus for five years before the filing of the application are entitled to apply for the long-term residence permit.
Registration of EU Citizens ("Yellow Slip")
Under EU law all EU citizens have the right to reside in Cyprus. EU citizens who plan to work and live in Cyprus are required to register their presence at the Immigration office within 4 months of arrival. Failing to do so will mean you will have no access to health, education and other state run bodies that require the registration permit. Failing to register can also result in a small fine. "Yellow Slips" are issued on the day of application and do not expire.
Cypriot Citizenship
Cypriot citizenship can be obtained by being born in Cyprus, marrying a Cypriot spouse (after 3 years of marriage) or via naturalization (after 7 years of permanent residence). If you buy a property in Cyprus in order to live here continuously then after 7 years of living on the island you have a formal right to apply for a Cypriot citizenship. To qualify, out of the last 8 years living in Cyprus you must have spent full 7 years on the island. The period of absence while living on the island should not exceed 10 months. Also applicants must have resided legally and continuously in Cyprus during the twelve months preceding the date of the application.
