Cyprus Short-Term Visa: What you need to know
If you intend to visit Cyprus for a short period of time, you are going to need a Cyprus Short-Term Visa. It is critical that you understand the conditions for acquiring a visitor’s permit. Some kinds of non-EU nationals are entitled to apply for a tourist or temporary residence visa under the Visitors’ Sector policy in order to enter in Cyprus.
Under Aliens and Immigration Regulation 14, non-EU nationals can be granted a visitor’s permit to enter Cyprus for the purposes of short or long-term holidays, touring or investigating the possibility of settlement. It’s important to note that visitors holding a permit are typically not permitted to engage in economic activities while in the country.
In this post, we’ll go through the types of non-EU nationals who can apply for a visitor’s permit, the procedure of acquiring one, and what you should know before planning your trip.
Cyprus Visa: Categories and Conditions Explained
According to the Visitors’ Sector policy, certain categories of non-EU nationals are eligible to apply for a visitor’s temporary residence permit in Cyprus. These categories include:
- Autonomous visitors
- Dependent spouse visitors
- Dependent minor children of visitors
- Priests, monks/nuns of Orthodox or religious minority churches in Cyprus
- Dependent adult family members of non-EU with an immigration permit
- Dependent partners of Cypriot citizens with a duly proven permanent relationship for the purpose of marriage
The specific temporary residence permit is valid for three months and is granted to foreign nationals who have maintained a duly proven long-term relationship with a Cypriot citizen for at least one year and have entered the Republic by legal entry with a visa.
It’s important to note that visitors holding a permit are typically not permitted to engage in economic activities while in the country. If you fall into one of these categories, you may be eligible to apply for a visitor’s permit to enjoy a short-term stay in Cyprus.
The essential supporting documentation for each category, which will accompany the application for both the initial registration and the license renewal, can be found at the bottom of this page.
Renewing Your Cyprus Visitor’s Permit
Before the Cyprus short-term visa expires, an individual should apply for a temporary visitor’s residence permit at the Civil Registry and Migration Department’s central offices, or at the district branches of the Immigration Offices of the Cyprus police.
In order to renew their visitor’s permission, applicants must submit their application up to one month before the expiration of their current permit.
Visitors are granted a one-year temporary residence permit, with the exception of priests/monks/nuns of the Orthodox Church or churches of other religious minorities in Cyprus, whose residence permits are extended to three (3) years if a relevant request from the church and the necessary supporting documents are presented.
If the passport expires sooner, the residence permit is issued with a three-month validity period before the applicant’s passport expires. For spouses and children or direct ascendants who dwell with a visitor’s residence permit, a residence permit is given up to the validity of the dependent’s residence permit, provided that the non- EU travel document is valid and the time limits are met.
Having temporary residence permit for more than 5 year can lead to obtaining a permanent residence permit.
Contact Us
If you’re seeking a short-term visa to visit Cyprus and require assistance in obtaining a temporary residence permit, our immigration lawyers are here to help. We recommend reaching out to us prior to your arrival to Cyprus to receive accurate and up-to-date information, ensuring that you can plan your visit accordingly. Simply fill out the contact form below with your details, and we will be in touch with you shortly.