Our Cyprus immigration lawyers can assist natural persons who want to relocate to this country, but also foreign businessmen interested in investing in a new country or expanding an existing business to this market. Our lawyers can also provide legal representation to the families of our clients, who also have the right of relocating to Cyprus.
What are the basic immigration services our lawyers can provide in Cyprus?
With regards to the ways in which ourimmigration lawyer can be of assistance, we mention the following:
- participating in the Cypriot investment program, through which foreign investors can obtain residency in this country;
- obtaining the temporary residence permit and the permanent residence permit, after having lived here for a specific period of time;
- providing legal advice on the manner in which a foreigner can become a Cypriot citizen – ourimmigration lawyer in Cyprus has helped many foreign citizens obtain citizenship;
- applying for a work permit, which is designed for persons who are seeking employment in this country;
- preparing the documentation for family reunification programs for the family members of third-country foreigners;
- assist with legal advice on the regulations applied in Cyprus for intra-corporate transfers;
- offering information on the types of visas available in this country and the documents an applicant should submit.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | No |
| Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) | Mandatory visa requirements for immigration to Cyprus are imposed for the citizens of 114 countries (third party countries). Visa exemptions are available for non-EU citizens as well. |
Types of visas available in Cyprus | Airport transit visa, short-stay visa, multiple entry visa, visa issued upon the arrival, long-stay visa, visa extension. |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | 5-10 days |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | Temporary immigration to Cyprus is accepted for 1-2 years, depending on the grounds for which the permit was obtained. |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements | The renewal of temporary residence must take place in the same location where the first residence permit was issued. The application should be started with minimum 1 month before the expiry date of the document. |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit in Cyprus | – identity documents of the applicant; – the completed application form; – a rental agreement signed in Cyprus/ real estate purchase contract; – a bank statement and proof of having sufficient financial funds; – valid health insurance; – other documents based on the purpose of stay. |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | The law for immigration to Cyprus stipulates that permanent residency can be obtained after 5 years of living in this country. |
| Investor Visa availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) | Yes, for certain types of visas. |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 5 years in certain cases, or 7 years in most situations. |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) | Citizenship by invesment – No/ Residency by investment – yes |
| Taxation of foreign citizens | The income of foreigners that is obtained overseas is exempt from taxation in Cyprus. A non-resident is exempt from taxation in Cyprus if the person spends a maximum of 183 days per year in this country. Other than this, the income obtained here is charged with the personal income tax charged to Cypriot residents. |
| Tax benefits for expats | Deduction on salaries for non-residents. |
| Visa issuance fees | EUR 0 to EUR 80, depending on the visa type, the nationality and the age of the applicant. |
Fees charged for the issuance of a residence permit | EUR 70 |
Institution in charge with the immigration formalities | Immigration services in Cyprus are provided by the Civil Registry and Migration Department. |
| Right to appeal a visa refusal (yes/no) | Yes |
| When can a person make an appeal | A person can make an appeal for a visa refusal if there are sufficient reasons for appealing the decision. However, the appeal must be made in 75 days since the notification of refusal was sent. |
| Fee exemption for the issuance of a residence permit (yes/no) | No |
| When can a foreigner be exempted from fee payment | The immigration services in Cyprus provided by the Civil Registry and Migration Department are exempt of visa fee payments in the case where applicants are children with an age below 6 years old. |
| How long does it take to obtain a business visa? | It is recommended to initiate the procedure 1 month prior to the arrival, but in general such visas are processed in around 2 weeks. |
| Registration obligations | After the arrival, the foreigner must register in the Aliens’ Registry in a period of maximum 7 days. |
| What happens in case of overstaying a visa? | Overstaying a visa is illegal. Persons in this situation can be fined and the fine is established in accordance with the number of overstayed days. The person can also receive an interdiction to arrive in Cyprus for a period of time. |
| Ways to acquire citizenship | Have Cypriot origins, become a permanent resident and apply for citizenship, marry a Cypriot citizen. |
| Requirements for citizenship by naturalization | Citizenship by naturalization refers to the procedure through which a person becomes first a permanent resident. The law states that a foreigner must have at leat 7 years of stay in Cyprus (out of which 5, as a permanent resident) in order to initiate the citizenship procedure. |
| Fees for citizenship application | The immigration services in Cyprus for citizenship by naturalization cost EUR 500. |
| Residency rights for refugees | – the right to live in any region of Cyprus; – access to employment; – right to social assistance; – right to healthcare; – right to register refugee children in public education units; – right to long-term/permanent residence and right to citizenship. |
| Laws on immigration in Cyprus | Cyprus Aliens and Immigration Regulations. |
What are the main visas for Cyprus?
Here are the main categories of visas for Cyprus:
- short-stay or travel visas are available for 90 days – these allow several entries in the country in a year;
- long-stay visas for persons intending to stay more than 90 days in Cyprus, for work or study purposes;
- transit visas are required to travel from one country to another by transiting through Cyprus.
Who needs to apply for a visa in Cyprus?
It depends on the nationality and the duration of the stays, as follows:
- EU nationals are exempt from any visa formalities when arriving in Cyprus;
- the same right is offered to some third party nationals who plan to stay here for maximum 90 days (while for other third party nationalities, there aren’t any visa exemptions);
- provided that third party nationals want toimmigrate to Cyprus on a long-term basis, visas are mandatory for all, regardless of their nationality.
What are the main conditions to respect when applying for a short stay visa?
The application for a short-stay visa is straightforward and it involves a series of conditions that must be respected:
- the application form with complete personal information;
- a valid passport for at least 3 months;
- the travel itinerary comprising the return flight ticket;
- the proof of accommodation in Cyprus.
For what purposes can I relocate to Cyprus on a long-term basis?
Long-term relocation is possible as stipulated by law. Some of the main reasons are:
- employment;
- business/investment;
- family reunification;
- study, etc.
What is the main condition for participating in the investment program in Cyprus?
Non-EU citizens who intend to makeinvestments in Cyprus can benefit from special programs sustained by the Ministry of Interior in this country. An investment of at least EUR 300,000 in real estate properties is one of the conditions to enter the Cyprus Permanent Residence Program.
Below, you can watch a short presentation on the main immigration services in Cyprus:
Are there any visa fees?
Yes. For the processing of visa applications, local authorities charge fees (there are circumstances when applicants are exempt from paying visa fees). In the list below,our immigration lawyer in Cypruspresents the visa fees available in 2026:
- EUR 90 – charged for the issuance of a transit visa, single/multiple entry short stay visa, visa issued at the border;
- EUR 45 – the standard visa fee charged for applicants aged 6 to 12 years old;
- EUR 67,5 – visa fee for the nationals of Cape Verde;
- EUR 33,75 – visa fee for the nationals of Cape Verde aged 6 to 12 years old;
- EUR 35 – the standard visa fee charged for 11 nationalities, such as Ukrainians, Moldavians, Armenians, Albanians, etc.
How long do I need to wait until I get my visa?
Once you have submitted your application, you need to wait for its processing, which can vary based on the type of visa you need. For instance, a short-term stay tourist visa can be processed in minimum 10 days, but if you apply during the peak summer season, the processing times can increase to around 30 days. Other visas, that grant the right to residency in Cyprus, have longer processing times (1-3 months).
How many times can I enter the Cypriot territory as a holder of a visa?
This depends on the type of visa you have been issued with. The Cypriot law distinguishes between single entry visas and multiple entry visas.
Can I apply for a visa extension?
Yes, if the respective visa program allows extensions. Our immigration lawyer in Cypruscan present the programs which allows you to continue your stay in the country under a 2nd visa, issued for the same purpose as the first one.
How can foreigners obtain a residence permit in Cyprus?
The procedure for obtaining a residence permit varies based on the type of document one is interested in. The legislation in Cyprus provides two basic types of residence permits: temporary residence permits and permanent residence permits.
The infographic below shows the main steps on how to immigrate to Cyprus:
How can a foreigner become a Cypriot citizen?
In the list below, our immigration lawyer in Cyprus highlights the main legal pathways through which an individual can obtain citizenship:
- one of the most common ways to become a Cypriot citizen is through naturalization , the process through which a foreigner relocates here on a permanent basis;
- another legal option of moving to Cyprus and become a citizen is by marrying a Cypriot citizen;
- the option of becoming a citizen is opened for those who are citizens of other countries, but who have Cypriot origins;
- children who are born in Cyprus will gain Cypriot citizenship, as long as one of the parents is a Cypriot citizen.
What are the mandatory documents when applying for citizenship in Cyprus?
Our Cyprus immigration lawyers have prepared a basic list of documents which are necessary in this case:
- the birth certificate of the applicant and his or her clean criminal record;
- copies of the person’s passport showing all the arrivals and departure from Cyprus;
- copies of an advertisement from a local newspaper in which the person announces that he or she has applied for naturalization;
- two passport photos and the payment of the fee required for this procedure (of EUR 500);
- in the case in which the applicant has to present documents from his or her origin countries, the documents have to be translated into Greek or English.
What are the benefits of a Cypriot passport?
Those who have a passport issued by the Cypriot authorities are allowed to vote and they can use their passport for travelling without any limitations.
Please contact our lawyers for professional assistance and tailored advice concerning the most suitable way you can immigrate to Cyprus.