Visitor

Aliens may enter Cyprus for a maximum period of 3 months provided they possess valid national passports, return tickets to their country of domicile and they are in possession of sufficient funds for their maintenance during their stay in Cyprus.

The date of expiry of a visitor's permit in Cyprus is normally stamped on the visitor's passport and visitors wishing to extend their stay in Cyprus are advised to apply through the Aliens Office of the District in which they reside.  This should be done at least two weeks before the expiration of their permit and the application should be submitted on the prescribed form.

Employment in Cyprus

Applications for employment should be submitted not by the person(s) concerned but by their prospective employers in Cyprus to the Migration Department, Nicosia.  Applications should be submitted by the employers in Cyprus on the appropriate forms.  The latter are available from the Aliens Office of the District of residence of the employer who should submit them together with a covering letter and a copy of the offer of employment.  Entertainment of an application largely rests on its contribution to the general economy of the island and its non-competition with the local people.  Each application is treated on its own merits and no general rules for its approval may be given in advance.  Applications usually take 2 to 4 weeks plus to be considered and the result in communicated to the employer in Cyprus.  Persons wishing to travel to Cyprus solely for the purpose of employment are advised to ensure that an employment permit has been secured beforehand.

Permanent residence in Cyprus

Permanent residence refers to residence of many years and possibly for good.  Certificates of permanent residence granted to aliens are valid for an indefinite period and their holders are exempted from the necessity of obtaining visas when entering Cyprus.  The alien in question must take up residence in Cyprus within one year from the date of issue of the Immigration Permit.

Immigration Permits are classified under 5 categories

Applications should be accompanied by all relevant documents regarding applicant's financial standing.  Applications are made on the appropriate form(s) and submitted to the Migration Department, Ministry of the Interior, Nicosia, Cyprus, for consideration.

Applications under Category F are usually made by persons who wish to retire to the Island

Applicants under this category should be of independent means of support and documentary proof of their income (from Banks, Pension Funds etc) should be submitted together with their applications.

Category 'A'     Farming                                                  
Category 'B'     Mining
Category 'C'     Trade and Business
Category 'D'     Self-employment
Category 'E'     Cyprus employer work

Category 'F'     Applicants of Independent Means:
                     This category is for persons who have a secured annual income, high enough to give 
                     them a decent living in Cyprus without having to engage in any business, trade or
                     profession.  Most applicants come under this category, the majority being pensioners
                     or retired persons.  The annual income required depends on family size, as shown
                     below, but the Immigration Control Board may demand additional amounts.  
                                                       

                     APPLICANT                                                      ANNUAL INCOME
                     Single Applicant                                                     £3,800 CYP
                     Applicant and 1 Dependant                                      £5,675 CYP
                     Applicant and 2 Dependants                                     £7,550 CYP  
                     Applicant and 3 Dependants                                     £9,425 CYP
 

APPLICATION FOR IMMIGRATION PERMIT
UNDER ANY OF THE CATEGORIES A to F (SPRING 2002)

I hereby apply for a certificate under Category ............. A, B, C, D, E or F .............  Particulars are as follows:-

1.   Full names of applicant
2.   Address
3.   Sex
4.   Profession / Occupation
5.   Married / Single
6.   Place and date of birth
7.   Religion
8.   Nationality (at birth)
9.   Present nationality or national status
10. Maiden name (if applicant a married woman)
11. Change of name by deed poll or otherwise
12. Particulars of passport held:  Passport No. ............................................ issued at.........................................      on .................................................................... valid until ..........................................................and bearing      visa for Cyprus No. ........................ or endorsement granted by ........................... on ..................................
13. Particulars of persons dependent on and accompanying the applicant:

14. Particulars of persons dependent on and not accompanying the applicant:

15. Particulars of previous residence in Cyprus (if any) by applicant giving places of such residence and dates in full

16. Category A (Agriculture or Animal Husbandry)
       Business proposed to be undertaken in Cyprus
17. Interest in land in the Island acquired / for the acquisition of which permission has been obtained.
18. Capital sum held in applicant's own right and at his full and free disposition and where situated.
      (Documentary proof to be attached)

19. Category B (Mining)
      Type of mining in which applicant intends to engage in Cyprus
20. Particulars as to prospecting right or license in possession of / obtainable by the applicant.
21. Capital sum held in applicant's own right and at his full and free disposition and where situated.
      (Documentary proof to be attached)

22. Category C (Trade or Business)
      Trade or business which applicant intends to carry on in Cyprus.
23. Particulars as to license (if license is necessary for carrying on the trade or business) in possession of /
      obtainable by the applicant.
24. Capital sum held in applicant's own right and at his full and free disposition and where situated.
      (Documentary proof to be attached)

25. Category D (Academic Professions)
      Qualifications of applicant
26. Capital or assured income of which applicant is in possession and where situated.
      (Documentary proof to be attached)

27. Category E (Employment)
      Nature of employment (not being temporary employment) which the applicant has accepted in Cyprus.
      (Documentary proof to be attached)
28. Particulars of qualifications.
29. Name and address of employer.

30. CATEGORY F (Applicants of Independent Means)
      Particulars of income and source from which derived.
      (Documentary proof to be attached)

Date and signature