Larnaca is one of the main contributors to the Cypriot gross domestic product. Persons interested in immigration to Larnaca can find significant job opportunities in economic sectors such as tourism, trade, education, agriculture, or the manufacturing sector, these being some of the most developed branches of activity. We invite you to read a presentation on relocating here.
However, the tourism industry is one of the main employers, as the city’s most developed sector is tourism. If you want to be employed in the tourism sector here, or if you simply consider immigration to Larnaca, you can find all the necessary information on this subject at our law firm. Our Cyprus immigration lawyers can advise on the types of work permits available here, but they can also provide a wide range of immigration services usually requested by those relocating here.
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What services can foreigners request for immigration to Larnaca?
If you have decided to start the process of immigration to Larnaca, you must analyze the conditions of your relocation. If it is a relocation for a short-term period, defined by the Cyprus immigration law as any stay with a duration of less than 90 days, you have to verify if you need a visa. The visa requirements will vary based on the nationality of the applicant.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) | Not applicable |
|
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) |
In most cases, visas are required, unless exemptions are granted, but only for short-term stays (it can be the case of nationals from Australia, Canada, the USA, Japan, etc). |
|
Types of visas available |
Through our immigration services in Larnaca, you can apply for one of the following visas regulated by the local law: transit visa, short-term stay visa (category C), long-stay visa (category D), permanent residency visa (category F). These can be issued for employment, family reunification, investment, etc. |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) |
The work visa can be processed in around 5 to 10 days. However, before the issuance of this document, foreigners must apply for a work permit, which can be issued in around 4 to 6 weeks (our immigration services in Larnaca provide step-to-step assistance). |
| Validity of the temporary residence permit |
Minimum 3 months and up to 1 year (renewal is possible). |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) |
It takes 5 years to become a permanent resident (with our immigration services in Larnaca, you will be guided throughout the entire process). |
| Investor visa availability |
The Cyprus Golden visa (permanent residence through investment in real estate). |
| Sponsorship requirement |
Sponsorship is usually required for family reunification or work visas. |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship |
7 years of stay. |
| Citizenship/residency by investment scheme availability | Only the residency by investment program is available. |
| Tax benefits for expats |
Tax exemptions on income obtained from salaries, for those who are at their first employment in Cyprus and who have not been residents of Cyprus in the last several years (3, 10 or 15 years). |
| Visa issuance fees |
EUR 0 to EUR 90 (it depends on the visa type, the age of the applicant and the nationality). |
| Enthic groups in Larnaca |
Greeks, Turks, Armenians, Romanians, Britons, Bulgarians, Filipinos, Russians, etc. |
| Why relocate to Larnaca? |
Stable living conditions, exceptional weather, career opportunities, diverse and educated population, beautiful scenery, hospitality, etc. |
| Cost of living in Larnaca | Around EUR 1,500 for one person. |
If you do, you must apply for a visa designated for the purpose of your stay (travel, business, studies, etc.). If you will stay here for less than 90 days, you do not have to apply for a residence permit. Russian citizens can apply for the PRO visa, which is a type of visa that is solely addressed to holders of Russian passports who arrive in this country through a direct flight from Russia.
The categories of visas that are available for foreigners interested in immigration to Larnaca can be verified on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please note that a short-term visa can be used for a single entry or for multiple entries in Cyprus.
After having lived in Cyprus for 90 days and if the person is interested in staying here for a longer period, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit. The single category of permit that can be requested is the temporary residence permit which can be renewed upon expiration. As a foreigner relocating to Cyprus one is also entitled to apply for a Cyprus permanent residence permit.
More than this, one can also apply for Cypriot citizenship. This can be obtained if the foreigner has Cypriot origins or through naturalization. Numerous foreigners have gained citizenship through naturalization, which means that they have become permanent residents of the country and have complied with additional requirements (being employed, knowing the local language); Cypriot citizenship can be obtained when marrying a local citizen and you may find out more on this particular procedure from our Cyprus immigration lawyers.
We can also provide details to investors who are interested in purchasing property or making another type of substantial investment that can grant them citizenship by investment in Cyprus.
Citizenship in Cyprus can also be obtained through the process of naturalization. For this, applicants must prepare documents such as: 1) a valid passport, 2) evidence on the departures and arrivals in Cyprus, 3) the birth certificate.
One also needs to have a clean criminal record that must be added to the citizenship file, along with other supporting documents required by the local authorities.
What is the law on family reunification programs in Cyprus?
According to the Cyprus immigration law, a third-country national who has relocated to this country has the right of bringing his or her close family members here. The procedures are prescribed by the Aliens and Immigration Legislation, which states that the foreigner must have taken the steps for immigration to Larnaca or to other Cypriot regions with at least two years prior to requesting to bring his family here.
This signifies that the person must have lawfully lived here for at least two years; the person should also have a residence permit and have the prospects for obtaining the residency in Cyprus. The family members should comply with specific regulations, which are prescribed by the local law.
Having a residence permit in Cyprus for a period of minimum 2 years is also the minimum requirement for a foreigner who is married to a Cypriot national and who wants to start the citizenship application.
In this case, the applications can be started in a very short period compared to the one required for citizenship by naturalization, which is of minimum 7 years.
Below, you can watch a short video on how to move to Larnaca:
Immigrants who will apply for citizenship in Cyprus by marriage will have to present the following documents: 1) the marriage certificate, 2) the birth certificate of the applicant, 3) a clean criminal record, 4) a copy of the applicant’s passport, 5) the passport or the identity documents of the Cypriot spouse, 5) a statement of cohabitation, 6) evidence on paying the processing fees.
There is also the possibility to apply for citizenship by marriage when the applicant does not live in this country. Thus, the person will not have to present any evidence on having a residence permit in Cyprus.
However, the person must present information regarding the reason for which the spouses live in different countries. This explanation is not necessary if the spouses have been married for minimum 5 years.
Demographics characteristics in Cyprus
Cyprus has a diversified society based on its ethnicity and religion. It has a growing expat society, with one of the highest rates of foreigners compared to the size of the country’s population. Immigration to Larnaca, Limassol and Nicosia are quite common, as these are major cities and with regards to the demographics of the country, we present the following:
• Larnaca is the 3rd largest city when we refer to its population;
• it currently has a population of 72,000 persons, Nicosia having more than 200,000 inhabitants;
• the Greek Cypriot community accounts for the largest ethnic group in the country (71,8%), while foreigners represent approximately 18,7%;
• the life expectancy of persons living here is of 81,51 years old;
• the literacy rate is 97,6% and the population growth is of 0,2% per year.
Those interested in immigration to Larnaca are invited to contact our Cyprus immigration lawyers for information on other services we can provide. We can also represent persons seeking asylum in this country, who, typically, will need to be represented by a lawyer during the hearing that is organized by the local authorities.
