NEWS & ARTICLES
After the Brexit a new era has arisen regarding the status of the British who want to live permanently and/or work to Cyprus.
Despite the fact a visa is not required for the British to enter Cyprus, however living in the island more than 90 days is not permitted. Only the holders of visa or permanent residency can stay in the island for more than 90 days.
There are 2 options to apply for. The one is a 12 months visa which can be renewed every year. It is known as pink slip. The requirements for this application are the following:
- Having a residency in Cyprus either by owing a property or renting a property. The contract of sale or the title deeds or the tenancy agreement should be submitted.
- Having a health insurance. A UK insurance covering worldwide is adequate.
- Having a steadily income from abroad such as salary or income. A Cyprus bank account statement showing the income from aboard must be provided.
An appointment for filling the application is required. The filling of the application takes place to the migration office of the district where the property of the applicant is located. It is only booked online. From the moment the applicant receives the filling receipt can stay in Cyprus. The answer from the migration office is provided to the applicant approximately 5-6 months after the date of filling the application.
This particular visa can be renewed annually.
The second option is to apply for the permanent residency (PR). It is known as an application under category F or application under regulation 6.2. The holder of the PR can stay in Cyprus forever. The application is filed only once. The requirements are the follow:
- Having a residency in Cyprus either by owing a property or renting a property. The contract of sale, or the title deed or the tenancy agreement should be submitted.
- Provide a clean criminal record from the UK. The certificate must be certified and apostile.
- If the applicant is a couple, a marriage certificate fully certified and apostile is required.
- Proof of minimum annual income of 30.000 euro. If the applicant has children, then 5.000-euro income per dependant is required. For example, if it is a family of 4, then the minimum annual income of the family should be 45.000 euro.
- An affidavit from the applicant for his/her income is required.
- The applicant should sign a statement for not engaging any work in Cyprus.
- Biometrics
An appointment with the migration office in Nicosia is required to file the application. Due to the large number of applications, it takes a time period of approximately 3 years to get the approval.
If, however the applicant has bought a property over the amount of 300.000 euro plus vat, he is entitled to apply for the PR under regulation 6.2. The requirements are as described above for category F plus proof of transferring the money for the property purchase from abroad. The PR is provided within 3-4 months from the date the applicant files his/her application.
The PR holder can enjoy the national health system.
A UK national cannot work as an employee in Cyprus. He/She can work only if he/she establish a work permit. The work permit application is filed by the employer.
It is my opinion that since Cyprus and UK are commonwealth members the residency regime regarding the British should be regulated between the 2 countries.
Loucas P. Louca
Lawyer/Legal Consultant
