General Information Regarding Entry and Residence in Cyprus

Visitors

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	CY£3,800
Applicant and 1 dependant	CY£5,675
Applicant and 2 dependants	CY£7,550
Applicant and 3 depedants	CY£9,425

Read also - The buying procedure and taxation in Cyprus

Escapes2.com have a wide range of property for sale in Cyprus including villas, apartments and townhouses in areas such as Paphos, Famagusta and properties for sale in Larnaca.