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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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.
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.
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.
An Immigration Permit will be automatically cancelled if the interested person fails to acquire residence in Cyprus within one year from the approval of the application, in case he/she is residing outside Cyprus. It will also be cancelled if he/she acquires permanent residence abroad or be absent from Cyprus for a period of two years.
PERMANENT RESIDECE PERMIT
In accordance to the provisions of Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, the Minister of Interior, having notified the Council of Ministers, has decided to issue an Immigration Permit to applicants from third countries, under a new “fast – track” procedure in cases where the conditions listed below are satisfied.
Main Benefits
- Regulation 6 (2) Immigration Permit, gives third country nationals, the right to permanently reside in Cyprus.
- Individuals who obtain Regulation 6(2) Immigration Permit are exempt from immigration entry procedures such as having to apply and obtain Visitor’s Visa.
- You can apply and obtain such an Immigration Permit for yourself but also for your spouse, children under 18 years old and also financially dependent children up to 25 years old.
*** please note that applications for children over 18 and up to 25 need to be submitted separately.
*** please note that an immigration permit may also be granted to children of the applicant over the age of 18, who are not financially dependent on the applicant, provided that the value of the property attributed to each such child is at least €300.000 (Euro Three Hundred Thousand) (excluding V.A.T.)
- This permit is granted for an indefinite period.
Financial criteria
- Transfer from abroad funds of at least€30.000 (Euro Thirty Thousand) into a Fixed Deposit Account. The funds must be blocked for three (3) years.
- Show that the annual income of the applicant and his spouse (derived from abroad) is at least €30.000. This amount is increase by €5.000 (Euro Five Thousand) for every dependent person.
- Purchase property (one (1) or two (2), new real estate properties) of total value at least €300.000 (plus V.A.T.) the properties can be: (a) two (2) residences, or (b) one (1) residence and one (1) office (c) one (1) residence and one (1) shop
4. Must provide proof of payment of at least€200.000 (excluding V.A.T.) of the purchase price of the property. *** This funds must be proven to be transferred from abroad.
Processing Time
The processing time for this application is three (3) – six (6) months.
Our firm can provide full legal assistance, advice and support during all stages of the above application process. Our firm’s services and legal support includes amongst others:
- Legal advice on the fulfillment of the economic criteria and conditions as well as the required steps for the submission and approval of the application for both the applicant and his family.
- Provide legal advice in relation to any queries that the applicant and/or his family may have regarding the application process and/or the rights derived from obtaining the immigration permit.
- Prepare and submit the application to the relevant department.
- Represent the applicant before the Immigration Authorities during the examination process of the application.
- Monitoring the status of the application and follow up