Immigration Information for Cyprus

Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Cyprus (for a period up to three months) provided that they are considered to be bona-fide visitors:  Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea
(South), Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela. Special Administrative Regions of the Peoples΄ Republic of China: Hong Kong, Macao. Please refer to the nearest Cyprus Consular Office for most recent updates to the list.

Important Information:
1. For entering the Republic of Cyprus a valid passport is required except for holders of:

• Laissez-passer issued by the United Nations. Nationals of Egypt and Israel can enter Cyprus with a Laissez-Passer provided they hold an entry permit previously obtained by the Immigration Department in Nicosia.
• Travel documents issued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to Cypriot nationals.
• Documents issued to stateless persons and recognized refugees.
• Citizens of the European Union countries, as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided there is a photo.

2. Passports of foreign nationals, non-residents, must be valid three (3) months beyond the period of intended stay. Passengers who wish to obtain a visa are require a passport valid at least 6 months beyond the period of intended stay.

3. Admission is refused to holders of “passports” issued illegally by the occupation regime of the secessionist entity, so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (“TRNC” has been denied any international recognition and has been condemned and declared as illegal by the whole of International Community through Security Council Resolutions 541/83 and 550/84.) Other nationals whose passports bear the stamps or visas of the so-called “TRNC” are allowed to enter Cyprus after the above-mentioned visas/stamps are cancelled by the Immigration Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus.

4. Passengers who have entered Cyprus via the illegal airport of Tymbou, situated in the occupied part of the island, or the port of Famagusta, Kyrenia or Karavostassi which have been declared closed and inoperative by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, will be refused entry into the free areas. The airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the ports of Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Latsi, are situated in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus. Leaving the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus via the aforementioned illegal airport or the closed ports of Famagusta, Kyrenia or Karavostassi is forbidden.

For more Information please contact:

The Migration Department
Ministry of the Interior
1457 Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Tel: +357-228804410
Fax: +357-22676944
E-mail: migration@cytanet.com.cy

Temporary Residence/Permit for Aliens

The procedure for granting employment permits is governed by the Foreign and Migration Law and by decisions of the Council of Ministers and of the parliamentary committee responsible for matters pertaining to Foreigners.

The applications for the issuing of Entry and Employment Permits are submitted to the Migration Officer by the prospective employer while the foreign workers are still abroad. The applications must be accompanied by a contract of employment, sealed by the Department of Labour, of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, which is the competent authority responsible for examining whether there are qualified and available Cypriot citizens, and to what extent, for the profession or position in question. The applications must also be accompanied by a certificate of good conduct and a bank guarantee in view of the likely costs of repatriation. The applications are submitted and examined by the Migration Officer. If nothing emerges that hinders the entry of the foreigners in question into Cyprus, the relative entry and work permits are issued.

The same procedure is followed for foreigners who are employed as domestic staff, the only difference being that in the latter case, the contract of employment is not sealed by the Department of Labour, because the criteria for the issue of the respective permits are determined by the Council of Ministers. According to these criteria, employment of foreign domestic staff is permitted for the following cases:

(a) When both spouses are employed, therefore contributing to the Social Insurance Fund and they have children below the age of 9.

(b) When the family has a declared net annual income of more than 20,000 (CYP)

(c) When the foreign domestic staff will take care of aged people, people with disabilities or special needs or people suffering from a serious illness which prevents them from taking care of themselves.

(d) When the foreign domestic staff will be employed at the residence of Directors or senior officers of Off-Shore Companies, as well as for members of foreign diplomatic missions.

The Application must be accompanied by the following documents:

(1) A legible copy of the foreigner’s passport
(2) A bank guarantee in view of the likely costs of repatriation
(3) Birth certificates of the children (where applicable)
(4) Confirmation of contribution to the Social Insurance Fund
(5) Confirmation from the Internal Revenue Board (where applicable)
(6) A medical certificate for people suffering from a serious illness and are in need of care
(7) An employment contract stamped by the Commissioner of Stamp Duties

To obtain an entry permit or to renew temporary residence and employment permits an application must be submitted, accompanied by 10 CYP.