The application and documents for a visitor visa for family members (spouse and child) can be submitted simultaneously with the main applicant (sponsor).
The validity period of a visa for family members cannot exceed the validity period of the visa of the main applicant (sponsor).
The processing time is about 5-6 months, depending on the workload at the migration department, but one can legally stay in Cyprus once the application has been submitted.
The following is required to obtain a permit of this category:
1) provide proof of stable and sufficient income from foreign sources, such as
- salary,
- pension,
- funds in bank accounts,
- nterest on deposits,
- dividends, etc.
Cyprus sources are allowed to include the following income:
- dividends from a Cyprus company, provided that the applicant does not receive any salary from this company,
- rent,
- funds in a Cyprus bank account received as salary from previous employment at a Cyprus company with foreign interest.
2) open a Cyprus bank account and transfer to it personal funds of at least EUR 2 000 per month and EUR 24 000 per year for the main applicant.
When applying for residence permits for family members, this amount increases by 20% for the spouse and by 15% for each child. The applicant will need to provide a bank statement and confirmation that the money came from abroad.
During the initial application for a residence permit, it is acceptable to deposit cash into a Cyprus bank account, in which case a customs declaration must be submitted.
The initial application also allows a combination of at least EUR 10 000 deposit and confirmation of future income of at least EUR 2 000 per month.
When renewing a visa, the authorities will check foreign-sourced earnings for the year and these must be at least EUR 24 000 per year per person. For the purposes of calculating the amount, transfers abroad or to third parties will not be taken into account.
3) obtain a bank guarantee from a Cyprus bank to cover possible repatriation expenses.
The guarantee amount ranges from EUR 550 to EUR 850, depending on the citizenship of the applicant / family members. The amount is frozen in the account and returned if the visitor status is lost.
4) provide proof of having a residence in Cyprus (a lease agreement or title deed).
5) buy a health insurance policy (in Cyprus, about EUR 200).
6) provide a clean criminal record certificate from the country of origin or residence, with an apostille.
The residence permit requires that the applicant remain in Cyprus for most of the permit’s validity period.
The rules state that the permit will be revoked if a foreign citizen is away from Cyprus for more than 90 consecutive days, but they do not specify how many days a year a foreign citizen must stay in Cyprus. In practice, this is at least six months[1].
Unlike with a work visa, assessment of applications in the visitor category is discretionary, i.e. a positive decision will depend not only on having the documents in place and complying with all the requirements, but also on the discretion of the migration department.
On our part, we are ready to give detailed recommendations on preparing and putting together a package of documents in order to minimize the risk of refusal.
GSL fees for obtaining a temporary residence permit as visitor for the main applicant
are EUR 1 850[2].
- dealing with the bank to get a bank guarantee;
- dealing with the insurance company to take out health insurance;
- arranging for a property lease agreement to be certified;
- advising on and assisting with filling in the application form, preparing a package of documents for submission;
- making a power of attorney for submitting the application;
- going to Cyprus areas outside Nicosia for submitting the application;
- accompanying the applicant to the migration department for photo taking and fingerprinting.
The fee does not include:
- supporting the opening of a personal bank account (USD 1 800);
- government fee for issuing a permit – EUR 140 (1 person);
- bank guarantee amount (EUR 550);
- health insurance premium (about EUR 200);
- searching for residential property – payable separately as 1-month rent;
- statement of no income/employment in Cyprus if the applicant is appointed as director / secretary of a Cyprus company.
There is an additional cost for obtaining a visa for family members:
- a visa for the spouse – EUR 1 250;
- for 1 child – EUR 350.
[1] The migration department may refuse to renew a visa if it believes that the applicant has been away too often and spent too little time in Cyprus in the previous period, although such cases are rare in practice.
[2] All fees are valid as of November 2024. 19% VAT will be charged additionally.
