Those who immigrate to Cyprus from US for a short period of time can arrive in this country without applying for a visa, as long as their stay is of maximum 90 days. If you want to relocate to Cyprus from US, you can rely on our experienced lawyers.
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What are the requirements for short-term stays in Cyprus?
American citizens who immigrate to Cyprus for short-term stays benefit from very simple immigration procedures. The Cyprus immigration law stipulates that US citizens are exempt from visa requirements in this particular case, the passport being the only document foreigners should present.
When do I need to apply for visa?
According to the law on immigration in Cyprus, it is mandatory to apply for a visa if you plan to stay here on a long-term basis (any stay above 90 days is considered a long-stay arrival). The obligation to apply for a visa appears regardless of the reason of the arrival (there aren’t any visa exemptions for long-term stays) and regardless of the nationality (with the exception of EU nationals).
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visas for short-term immigration from US to Cyprus | Americans can move to Cyprus from US for short-term stays without applying for a visa. |
| Visas for long-term immigration from US to Cyprus | Visas are necessary, and they can be issued for work, business, study, etc. |
Visa exemptions | Visas exemptions are granted for stays with a duration of maximum 90 days. |
| Electronic visas available | Not yet. Cyprus will implement the ETIAS system in 2023. |
| Main reasons to immigrate from US to Cyprus | One can move to Cyprus from US for any of the following: business, travel, visiting family and friends, family reunification, work, investments, humanitarian reasons. |
| Institution in charge with the issuance of the visa | Civil Registry and Migration Department |
| Fee system available for the processing of the visa (yes/no) | Yes |
| Fees charged for the issuance of short-term/long-term visas | The fees range from EUR 15 (Category A visa) to EUR 60 (Category D visa). |
| The procedure for permanent residency in Cyprus | If an American citizen wants to move to Cyprus from US on a permanent basis, then he or she will need to live here for a period of 5 years before applying for permanent residency. |
| Documents required for permanent residency application | The documents required vary based on the purpose of stay. The foreigner must provide evidence on his or her identity, purpose of stay, the temporary residency card issued in Cyprus and other documents. |
| Reasons for which permanent residency can be granted in Cyprus | • investment; • working in Cyprus; • marriage to Cypriot national; • family reunification. |
| Right to permanent residency for refugees/asylum seekers (yes/no) | Yes |
| Immigration pathways for highly skilled persons | C or D visas can be used for employment purposes. |
| Legal pathways to citizenship | • 7 years of residency in Cyprus, for general situations; • 5 years of residency for parents or children of Cypriot citizens; • 2 years of residency, for persons married with Cypriot nationals (minimum 3 years of marriage ). |
When can an American apply for a Cypriot residence permit?
Provided that the duration of the stay in Cyprus is of more than 90 days, any foreigner is required to apply for a residence permit. The Cyprus immigration law provides for several categories of residence permits.
What documentation should I prepare if I want to apply for a residence permit in 2026?
Our Cyprus immigration lawyers can offer more details on the following documents, necessary for the application:
• the proof of accommodation in Cyprus and the proof on the financial means of the applicant;
• a medical certificate showing that the applicant is negative for a set of diseases;
• a police clearance certificate, showing that the applicant moving to Cyprus was not convicted for various crimes in his or her country of residence;
• a copy of the applicant’s passport, showing specific information such as the issuance date and the expiry date;
• documents presenting the reasons for which the residence permit is required and which will increase the opportunity to move to Cyprus from US.
When can I become a permanent resident?
If you plan to move to Cyprus from US on a permanent basis, it must be noted that you need to comply with certain conditions, which can vary based on your particularities. In general, permanent residency can be obtained after 5 years of continuous stay in the country as a temporary resident.
Is it possible to become a permanent resident following a faster route?
Yes. Permanent residency can be obtained in a shorter amount of time in the case of foreigners who are married to Cypriot nationals. In this case, they need to provide evidence of being married for at least 3 years and have at least 2 years of residency in Cyprus. Foreigners can also obtain permanent residency through investments (they do not need to reside on a permanent basis in Cyprus).
In the video below, you can find out some of the steps on how to move to Cyprus from US:
What requirements should I abide by in order to participate in the investment program in 2026?
The residency by investment program is one that provides a large set of advantages to foreigners (regardless of the nationality) who can make a significant investment in this country. Some of the highlights are:
- in order to participate in the program, you must invest at least EUR 300,000 (real estate, commercial property);
- it is necessary to prove that you dispose of at least EUR 50,000 per year;
- it allows applicants to arrive here with their children (under 18 and under 25 years old – there are different requirements for each category) and their spouse;
- for each child, the minimum annual income increases by EUR 10,000.
How can Americans obtain a work visa in Cyprus?
Americans who immigrate to Cyprus for the purpose of starting an employment activity are required to apply for a suitable visa (by suitable we mean designed for the level of education/skills the person has and the type of employment – temporary, full time, permanent).
What documentation should I prepare for a work visa?
The application itself contains a wide list of documents, which are all compulsory for those who want to obtain the work permit. Our immigration lawyer in Cypruscan present the full list of documents, but you can discover below some of the main papers you should prepare:
- standard forms, completed with the necessary details – Form M58 and Form M64;
- a certificate of police clearance, issued in the applicant’s residence country (the document must not be older than 6 months when added to the file);
- the employment contract signed with the Cypriot employer;
- a medical certificate which shows the applicant doesn’t have certain diseases, such as TB or hepatitis B;
- a health insurance recognized in Cyprus that covers the entire duration of the employment contract.
The infographic below presents immigration facts on Americans relocating to Cyprus:
Can I travel to other European countries as a Cypriot visa holder in 2026?
Yes, Americans moving to Cyprus from US have the right to travel to other European countries during the validity of their visa. Please mind that the right of free movement is granted only within EU zone and Schengen states – not all European countries are part of these structures, therefore if you plan to visit European countries outside these regions, you will need to comply with the local immigration rules.
We invite you to contact our immigration lawyers for advice on how to apply for a visa in this country or how to obtain a residence permit if you want to immigrate to Cyprus from US.
