CYPRUS VISA

07 MAY 2011

HOW TO GET A CYPRUS VISA:

 

A CYPRUS VISA in not difficult to get, at the Cyprus Embassies, all over the World.You might be traveling to Cyprus for different reasons whether it is for a short stay,  as a tourist , or a businessman, or with a purpose of employment and residence and you may then need a Cyprus Visa. You could also stop in Cyprus as a transit passenger. In any way, there are cases when a Cyprus Visa, of a certain type is required. Hereinbelow, we try to give you as much guidance as we can in a comprehensible way, on how to obtain a Cyprus Visa, what formalities are needed in order to get a Cyprus Visa, what type of Cyprus Visa you will need and how much it will cost you.
 
The information given below, is not intended to ba acted upon by you in order to secure a Cyprus Visa. It is only for your guidance and enlightment. If you are in need of a CYPRUS VISA, please contact our back office for advice.

 

CYPRUS VISA CATEGORIES

 

1.   Cyprus Short-stay or Cyprus travel visas, including Cyprus multiple-entry Visas.

  

If you are traveling to  Cyprus for reasons other than immigration, and your visit does not exceed three months, you might need a Cyprus Travel Visa. The Travel Visa gives you the right for a continuous visit or several visits to Cyprus. The duration of visits in total should not exceed three months in any half of a year from the date of the first visit. In general the Cyprus Short-stay Visa is issued for one or several visits.

 

In case you need to come to Cyprus often (business trips etc.) it is possible to get a Cyprus multiple-entry visa for several visits. The total duration of the visits should not exceed three months in any half of a year from the date of the first entry. The multiple-entry Cyprus Visa is valid for one year. In exceptional cases it might be valid for more than a year but no more than five years for certain categories of persons.

 

HOW TO GET A CYPRUS SHORT-STAY  VISA 

1.    Applications must be submitted in person. However, for those who reside more than 200 miles (300 kms) from the Consulate, the applications may be submitted by recorded delivery enclosing a registered self-addressed special delivery envelope for the safe return of the passport and the documents.

 

2.    One completed application form signed by the applicant (or the legal guardian in the case of minors) with 2 passport sized photographs attached.

 

3.    A full national passport valid for at least three months longer than the validity of the visa being applied for. Visitors wishing to obtain a visa are advised to be in possession of a passport valid at least for 6 months beyond the period of intended stay.

 

4.    The visa for the return country must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay.

 

5.    Provisional Books or Itinerary of travel arrangements (Round trip ticket with fixed dates) is a must. Ticket should not be purchased before the visa is issued.

 

6.      Prior Hotel Reservation faxed by the Hotel Manager.

 

7.    If visiting on business, an official letter of invitation from a Cyprus company must be presented.

 

8.    If visiting friends or family, a letter of invitation from them with their full address, phone number and occupation in Cyprus (and often, along with a certified form of the assumtion of responsibility, duly completed and signed by the host).

 

9.    Solid evidence that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the intended stay in Cyprus, e.g. a bank statement or travelers' cheques (credit cards can be accepted only in addition to bank statements and only with recent statement confirming credit limit. Please note that cash is not an acceptable proof).

 

10.  A recent (less than one month old) official letter from the employer addressed to the Cyprus Consulate with proof of the applicants wages / salary. If self-employed, a letter from the solicitor, the accountant or the bank manager of the applicant. If a student in the country of the Consulate, an original letter from the school or University addressed to the Cyprus Consulate confirming the status / attendance and the duration of the course.

 

11. The Consulate may also ask for a copy of a Bank Guarantee Letter from the host, throughout a visitor's stay in Cyprus, so as to cover the possible cost of repatriation. Bank Guarantee Letters are issued for the amount of:

 

FEES FOR CYPRUS SHORT-STAY VISAS AND CYPRUS MULTIPLE VISAS :

 

€854 for visitors from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, and other Asian countries

 

€515 for visitors from the CIS, and other Eastern Europe countries.

 

€341 for visitors from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and other Middle East countries.

 

A.    CYPRUS Long-stay Visas

 

 

Cyprus residence visa

Foreign citizens may make an application to obtain an Immigration Permit on the basis of one of the Categories referred to in Regulation 5 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations of 1972. An immigration permit will not be granted to anybody unless the Immigration Control Board recommends to the Minister of Interior that such person belongs to one of the following Categories:

 

Cyprus Visa Category A:

 

Persons who intend to work as self employed in agriculture, cattle breeding, bird breeding or fish culture in the Republic of Cyprus, 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 €427,150,36 and such an employment should not negatively affect the general economy of the Republic of Cyprus.

 

Cyprus Visa Category B:

 

Persons who intend to work as self employed in mining enterprises in the Republic of Cyprus, provided that they have in their possession a relative permit, they have fully and freely at their disposal capital of €341,720,28 and such an employment should not negatively affect the general economy of the Republic of Cyprus.

 

Cyprus Visa Category C:

 

Persons who intend to work as self employed in a trade or profession in the Republic of Cyprus, provided that they have in their possession a relative permit, they have fully and freely at their disposal capital of €256,290,21 and such an employment should not affect negatively the general economy of the Republic of Cyprus.

 

Cyprus Visa Category D:

 

Persons who intend to work as self employed in a profession or science in the Republic of Cyprus, provided that they have academic or professional qualifications, for which there is demand in Cyprus. Possession of adequate funds is also necessary.

 

Cyprus Visa Category E:

 

Persons who have been offered permanent employment in the Republic, which will not create undue local competition.

 

Cyprus Visa 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. The annual income required should be at least €9,568,16 for a single applicant and moreover at least €4,613.22 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.

 

For the granting of an immigration permit application is submitted on form M.67 to the Civil Registry and Migration Department directly or through the District Aliens and Immigration Branches of the Police. The application should be accompanied by the appropriate documents, depending on the Category for which it is submitted.

 

Applications for Category F which are the most usual should be accompanied by the original documents regarding the income of the applicants. Applicants who are abroad may submit an application directly to Cyprus, as stated above or through the local Consular Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus. The applications are examined by the Immigration Control Board which submits a relevant suggestion to the Minister of the Interior for a decision to be taken.

 

The fees for the granting of immigration permit amount to €119,60 and are paid against a receipt following the approval of the application and before the issue of the immigration permit.

 

 

B. CYPRUS WORK PERMIT INFORMATION 

 

General categories of employment of aliens

Issue of entry and work permits

 

Applications for the issue of entry and work permits in general categories of employment are submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department by the intended employer, through the respective District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police, on condition that the foreigners are abroad. The applications should be accompanied by a work contract stamped by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. The said Ministry is competent to examine whether regarding the specific profession or job there are no available or adequately qualified Cypriots and then to make a recommendation for employment of aliens. The applications are forwarded to the Civil Registry and Migration Department and after they are examined and it is established that there is nothing against the foreigners which prevents their entry into Cyprus, the relevant entry and work permits are issued.

 

INFORMATION FOR THE EU MEMBER STATES NATIONALS 

CYPRUS RESIDENCE AND WORK PERMIT FOR EU CITIZENS

Nationals from EU Member States have the right to enter Cyprus by simply showing a valid EU passport or ID Card without having to register upon arrival. If there is an intention to stay for more than three months (and / or take up employment), then they have to:

 
  • Apply within eight (8) days of their arrival for an Alien Registration Certificate (ARC), at the local Immigration Branch of the Police (issued automatically for monitoring purposes) and pay the relevant fee (€34,17).

     
  • Apply for a social insurance number securing employment in Cyprus.

     
  • Apply for a residence permit (the application must be submitted before the expiration of this 3-month period to the Civil Registration and Migration Department, through the local Immigration Branch of the Police). The said residence permit is issued within six months from the date of application and the submission of the required documents by the applicant (please note that a fine is imposed in case of non-compliance).

     

Necessary documents required when applying for a residence permit

 

  • Valid passport or Identity Card

     
  • The document of Engagement of Employment (forming part of the application) stamped by the Labour Department, showing the code of economic activity of the employer.

     

The application and renewal fees for the mentioned residence permit for an EU national and to the members of the family, are €8,54.

 

It should be noted that the conclusion of formalities for acquiring a residence permit is not an obstacle to the immediate commencement of employment. Interested applicants can get the application forms from the Civil Registry and Migration Department, Ministry of Interior and from the local Immigration Branch of the Police.

 

When the residence permit is renewed for the first time, the period of residence permit can be restricted to one year, if the holder continues to be involuntarily unemployed for more than twelve consecutive months. After the expiration of this 1-year period, the permit cannot be renewed, if the holder is still unemployed.

 

The residence permit for employment purposes is valid for a 5-year period and is not withdrawn solely on grounds that he/she is temporarily incapable of employment as a result of illness or accident or if he/she is unintentionally unemployed as certified by the Department of Labour.

 

A temporary residence permit for employment purposes, can be limited to the expected period of employment in the following cases:

 

  1. For a period of employment exceeding 3 months but not exceeding a year or when a person is working for a person providing services in the Republic.

     
  2. For seasonal employment exceeding 3 months, except for the cases where no permit is required (article 10 of N.92(I)/2003).

     

The members of the family of a European national, have to right to exercise an employed or self-employed activity in the Republic of Cyprus. This permit should be reviewed after a period of two years from the date of issue.

 

In case nationals of EU Member States wish to pursue a profession that is regulated in Cyprus such as lawyer, medical doctor, accountant, engineer, electrician etc, by legislation determining the specific necessary qualifications and the procedure for acquiring the right to pursue the profession, then the person concerned should contact the competent body responsible to receive and examine applications for the specific profession to acquire the relevant permit, the same way that exists for the Cypriot nationals.

 

Note:

 

A fine is imposed in the case of non-compliance (Law N92(I)/2003) and specifically a fine of €854,30 to any employer employing a European national without a residence permit as well as to a European national working in Cyprus without the said permit.

 

 

Required documents:

 

  1. Application on forms M.58 and M.64

     

  2. A photocopy of foreigner's passport

     

  3. A clean criminal record certificate of the foreigner

     

  4. Medical certificates of the foreigner

     

  5. A Bank letter of guarantee for 341,72-854,30 Euro, depending on the country of origin of the foreigner, to cover possible repatriation expenses, valid for six months after the expiration of the work contract

     

  6. A work contract, stamped by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and stamped with a revenue stamp from the Revenue Stamps Registrar.

     

  7. A fee of 34,17 Euro for submission of application

     

Renewal of residence and work permits

 

For the renewal of the Temporary Residence and Work Permit of the foreigners, it is necessary to submit an application on form M.61 through the District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police and to pay a fee of 34,17 Euro. Before the submission of the application the foreigner is registered at the District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police. For this registration the foreigner's passport, three photographs of his/her and a fee of 34,17 Euro should be presented.

 

SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF EMPLOYMENT 

1. VISA DOMESTIC ASSISTANTS

Cyprus employment of domestic assistants

 

According to the criteria, defined by the Council of Ministers, the employment of the foreign domestic assistants may be allowed in the following cases:

 

  1. Families of which both the husband and the wife work, that is they pay contribution to the Social Securities Fund and have children under the age of 12 are allowed to employ domestic assistants.

     
  2. When the family has a declared income of more than 51,258,04 Euro annually.

     
  3. When foreign women are to take care of aged persons, invalids, persons with special needs or persons suffering from a serious illness as a result of which they are incapable of taking care of themselves.

     

Required documents:

 

  • Application on form M. 58.

     
  • A photocopy of foreigner's passport

     
  • A work contract stamped with a revenue stamp from the Revenue Stamps Registrar (7,68 Euro for each year of employment).

     
  • A Bank letter of guarantee for 341,72-854,30 Euro, depending on the country of origin of the foreigner, to cover possible repatriation expenses, valid for six months after the expiration of the work contract.

     
  • Birth certificates of the children of the applicant (employer) – where applicable.

     
  • A certificate from the Social Securities Department that both parents (applicants) work and make contributions – where applicable.

     
  • A certificate from the Inland Revenue Department that the annual income of the applicant's family exceeds the amount of 51,258,04 Euro – where applicable.

     
  • Medical certificates and other documents regarding persons incapable of taking care of themselves – where applicable.

     
  • Documents regarding pensioners and aged people such as particulars about pension, date of birth etc. – where applicable.

     

Applications for the issue of entry and work permits in general categories of employment are submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department by the intended employer, through the respective District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police, on condition that the foreigners are abroad. The applications should be accompanied by a work contract.

 

Renewal of residence and work permits

 

For the renewal of the Temporary Residence and Work Permit of the foreigners, it is necessary to submit an application on form M.61 through the District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police and to pay a fee of 34,17 Euro. Before the submission of the application the alien is registered at the District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police. For this registration the alien's passport, three photographs of his/her and a fee of 34,17 Euro should be produced.

 

 

2. EMPLOYEES OF COMPANIES OF FOREIGN INTERESTS

EMPLOYEES OF COMPANIES OF FOREIGN INTERESTS (INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES)

 

 

ISSUE AND RENEWAL OF TEMPORARY RESIDENCE AND EMPLOYMENT PERMITS FOR THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY COMPANIES/ENTERPRISES OF FOREIGN INTERESTS

 

 

·         1. ELIGIBLE COMPANIES

 

 

·         (I) All companies of foreign interests, including international companies (ex-IBCs), in order to be eligible to employ third country nationals in Cyprus, should fulfill the following:

 

 

·         (a) (i) The majority of the company’s shareholders should be foreign shareholders and in the case of shareholders whose ultimate owners are foreign companies, they should be declared in order to be approved by the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD). The following cases are exempted: