Cyprus Immigration Lawyers

Chambers & Co deals with all matters relating to immigration law, citizenship applications (both through the economic citizenship program and the conventional route), applications for immigration permits, Cyprus permanent residence permits, employment permits and visas.  Our immigration lawyers advise both individual and business clients.

Areas of work include:

Main Types of Cyprus Immigration Permits

Immigration to Cyprus is open to non-EU citizens who qualify under one of the six categories listed in the Aliens and Immigration Regulations of Cyprus. The six categories are A, B, C, D, E, and F, and each has specific requirements that applicants must meet.

Category A Immigration Permit is a type of permit for non-EU nationals who intend to work as self-employed in agriculture, cattle breeding, bird breeding, or fish culture in the Republic of Cyprus.

Requirements for Category A Immigration Permit

To qualify for a Category A Immigration Permit, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

  1. Adequate Land or Permit to Acquire Same: The applicant must have in their possession adequate land or a permit to acquire the same in the Republic of Cyprus.
  2. Fully and Freely At Their Disposal Capital: The applicant must have fully and freely at their disposal capital of approximately €430,000.
  3. No Negative Impact on the General Economy of Cyprus: The applicant’s employment should not negatively affect the general economy of the Republic of Cyprus.

Benefits of Category A Immigration Permit

  1. Self-Employment: The Category A Immigration Permit allows the holder to work as self-employed in agriculture, cattle breeding, bird breeding, or fish culture in the Republic of Cyprus.
  2. Residency: The holder of a Category A Immigration Permit is entitled to reside in the Republic of Cyprus for a maximum period of 4 years and may renew their permit for additional periods of 4 years each.
  3. Dependants: The permit holder may apply for the inclusion of their spouse and children under the age of 18 in their immigration permit application. This category allows for the inclusion of unmarried dependent children up to 25 years of age if they are students or undergoing vocational training.
  4. Access to Health and Education: The holder of a Category A Immigration Permit is entitled to access the healthcare and education systems of the Republic of Cyprus.
  5. Citizenship: After residing in the Republic of Cyprus for 7 years continuously, the permit holder and their dependents may apply for Cypriot Citizenship.

The Category B Immigration Permit is designed for non-EU citizens who are self-employed in mining enterprises in Cyprus. This category of visa is ideal for those who wish to invest in the mining sector in Cyprus and engage in self-employment in the industry.

Requirements

To qualify for a Category B visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

  1. Possess a relative permit: The applicant must have a relative permit that allows them to engage in self-employment in the mining sector.
  2. Adequate capital: The applicant must have fully and freely at their disposal capital of approximately €350,000 to invest in the mining enterprise.
  3. No negative impact: The mining enterprise should not negatively affect the general economy of the Republic.

Benefits

  1. Self-employment: The Category B visa allows the holder to be self-employed in the mining sector.
  2. Long-term stay: The Category B visa allows the holder to stay in Cyprus for an extended period of time.
  3. Residency: The Category B visa is a pathway to permanent residency in Cyprus. After five years of continuous residency, the applicant can apply for permanent residency.
  4. Family reunification: The applicant’s family members can also apply for visas and join them in Cyprus.
  5. Business opportunities: Cyprus offers a stable and business-friendly environment, making it an ideal location for those looking to invest in the mining sector.

Application Process

The application process for a Category B visa is relatively straightforward. The applicant must submit the necessary documentation, including the relative permit, evidence of adequate capital, and proof that the mining enterprise will not negatively impact the general economy of the Republic. The applicant must also undergo a medical examination and obtain a clean criminal record certificate.

Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the immigration authorities. If the application is approved, the applicant will be granted a Category B visa, which allows them to stay in Cyprus and engage in self-employment in the mining sector.

The Category C visa is a popular option for non-EU citizens who wish to live and work in Cyprus. This visa is available for investors who work for their own company and have brought a minimum capital of €260,000 to be used for their company’s activities in Cyprus.

Requirements for the Category C visa

  1. Proof of investment: To qualify for the Category C visa, applicants must demonstrate that they have invested a minimum of €260,000 in a Cypriot company that they own and operate. The investment must be made with legally obtained funds, and it must be used for the company’s activities in Cyprus.
  2. Proof of business activities: Applicants must provide evidence that their company has real and substantive business activities in Cyprus, such as employing staff, having an office, and generating revenue.
  3. Proof of financial means: Applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependents during their stay in Cyprus. This can include bank statements, proof of income, or any other financial documents.
  4. Clean criminal record: Applicants must provide a clean criminal record certificate from their country of origin or any country where they have resided for more than six months in the past five years.
  5. Health insurance: Applicants must have valid health insurance coverage in Cyprus for themselves and any dependents.

Benefits of the Category C visa

  1. Right to work: Holders of the Category C visa have the right to work in Cyprus for their own company without the need for a separate work permit.
  2. Right to reside: The Category C visa allows holders and their dependents to reside in Cyprus for a renewable period of two years.
  3. Tax advantages: Cyprus has a favourable tax regime, and holders of the Category C visa can benefit from low corporate tax rates and other tax incentives.
  4. High standard of living: Cyprus offers a high standard of living, with excellent healthcare, education, and entertainment options.

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

Requirements for Category D Visa

To qualify for the Category D Visa, applicants must have academic or professional qualifications for which there is demand in Cyprus. In addition to this, they must have sufficient funds to support themselves while residing in Cyprus. These funds can come from various sources, such as personal savings, investments, or other sources of income.

Another requirement for the Category D Visa is that the individual must register with the relevant professional body or association in Cyprus. This registration is necessary to practice their profession or science in the country.

Benefits of Category D Visa

One of the primary benefits of the Category D Visa is that it allows individuals to work as self-employed professionals or scientists in Cyprus. This can be an attractive option for those who want to start their own business or work independently in their field.

Another benefit of the Category D Visa is that it can lead to permanent residency in Cyprus. After residing in the country for a certain period of time, individuals may be eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Moreover, Cyprus has a favorable tax regime for individuals who work in certain professions or fields, such as finance, shipping, and research and development. This can be especially beneficial for those who work in these areas and hold the Category D Visa.

In addition, Cyprus offers a high quality of life, with excellent healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The country also has a Mediterranean climate, which is attractive to many individuals looking to relocate to a warmer climate.

The Category E visa is designed for individuals who have been offered permanent employment in Cyprus. This visa category offers a pathway for highly skilled professionals, executives, and managers to immigrate to Cyprus and work for an employer in the country.

Requirements for Category E Visa

To apply for a Category E visa, the following requirements must be met:

  1. Employment Offer: The applicant must have a permanent job offer from a Cyprus-based employer. The employer must be registered with the Department of Labor and the Social Insurance Department.
  2. Qualifications: The applicant must possess the necessary qualifications and skills for the job. In most cases, the employer must prove that no qualified Cyprus citizen or EU citizen is available to fill the position.
  3. Salary: The applicant must be offered a salary that meets the minimum wage requirements set by the Cyprus government.
  4. Work Permit: The employer must obtain a work permit for the applicant from the Department of Labor before the applicant can apply for the Category E visa.
  5. Medical Examination: The applicant must undergo a medical examination by an approved doctor and obtain a medical certificate.
  6. Criminal Record: The applicant must provide a clean criminal record certificate issued by their home country or the country where they have resided for the past five years.

Benefits of Category E Visa

The Category E visa provides several benefits to the visa holder, including:

  1. Residence Permit: The Category E visa allows the applicant to apply for a residence permit in Cyprus.
  2. Dependents: The visa holder can bring their spouse and children under the age of 18 to Cyprus as dependents. Dependents are eligible for a residence permit, and they can attend school in Cyprus.
  3. Pathway to Citizenship: The Category E visa is a pathway to citizenship in Cyprus. After residing in Cyprus for seven years, the visa holder can apply for Cypriot citizenship.

Category F is for individuals with considerable income, overseas immovable property owners, and pensioners with sufficient income to sustain a living in Cyprus.

Applicants can qualify under this category along with their dependents if they have a secured annual income sufficient to cover their living expenses in Cyprus without conducting any business, trade, or profession in the country.

The annual income required should be a minimum of EUR 9,568.17 for the applicant and at least EUR 4,613.22 for each dependent.

Applicants must also demonstrate additional sums at their disposal if the Immigration Control Board deems it necessary.

The Category F Visa, also known as the “Permanent Residency Visa” is an attractive option for those who are retired or have significant income from outside of Cyprus, and wish to reside in the country on a long-term basis.

Requirements for Category F Visa

To be eligible for the Category F Visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  1. Sufficient Annual Income: The applicant must have a secured annual income sufficient to cover living expenses for themselves and their dependents in Cyprus without conducting any business, trade, or profession in the country. The annual income required should be a minimum of EUR 9,568.17 for the applicant and at least EUR 4,613.22 for each dependent.
  2. Additional Funds: The applicant must demonstrate additional sums at their disposal if the Immigration Control Board considers it necessary.
  3. No Criminal Record: The applicant must have no criminal record.
  4. Health Insurance: The applicant and their dependents must have health insurance that covers them in Cyprus.

Benefits of Category F Visa

  1. Permanent Residency: The Category F Visa allows for permanent residency in Cyprus.
  2. Visa for Dependents: The visa is granted to the applicant and their dependents simultaneously.
  3. Access to Healthcare and Education: Permanent residents are entitled to access to the country’s public healthcare and education system.
  4. Real Estate Investment: The Category F Visa allows the applicant to purchase real estate in Cyprus, which can be a good investment opportunity.

Our law firm is dedicated to providing expert legal services to clients seeking to obtain visas and residency permits in Cyprus. Our team of experienced immigration lawyers is well-versed in all six categories of immigration permits and can assist clients with the application process from start to finish. We pride ourselves on our high success rate and personalised attention to each client’s unique circumstances.

Our services cover all aspects of the immigration process, including:

  • Assessment of eligibility: We conduct a thorough evaluation of each client’s qualifications and provide expert advice on the best immigration category to pursue.
  • Application preparation: We assist clients in preparing their visa and residency applications, ensuring that all required documentation is complete and accurate.
  • Representation before authorities: Our team represents clients before the immigration authorities and responds to any inquiries or requests for additional information.
  • Appeal and review procedures: If a client’s application is rejected, we provide support and representation in any appeal or review procedures.

Cyprus Immigration Law

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