Cyprus Visas

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 29, 2025

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2026

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If you’re planning to relocate to Cyprus, you first need to understand the country’s visa requirements. The rules depend on how long you plan to stay and the purpose of your visit. Cyprus offers short-stay visas for brief trips, long-stay visas for longer stays, and other residence options for highly qualified non-EU professionals and remote digital workers. This guide explains the main types of visas, who can apply, and the steps involved in the application process.

When do you need a visa for Cyprus?

Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can live, work, and study in Cyprus without a visa. If you come from outside these countries, you will usually need a visa.

For stays up to 90 days, you will need a short-stay visa (Category C) unless your country has a visa-free arrangement with Cyprus. These visas cover tourism, business trips, or family visits.

For stays longer than 90 days, or if you plan to work, study, or settle in Cyprus, you must apply for a long-stay visa (Category D) or another residence permit before you arrive. These visas and permits define your legal status and your right to live in Cyprus beyond a short visit.

Note: Cyprus is part of the European Union, but not part of the Schengen Area. This means that holding a Cyprus visa or residence permit does not allow free travel to other Schengen countries. The Cypriot president recently pledged to join the Schengen Area by 2026, so an announcement could be right around the corner…

Cyprus visa requirements

The documents you need to apply for a visa in Cyprus depend on the type of visa, but there are some common items that almost all applicants must provide. These form the basic foundation of your application:

• A valid passport (with at least three months’ validity beyond your planned departure from Cyprus)
• A completed and signed visa application form
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• Proof of accommodation in Cyprus (for example, a rental agreement, hotel booking, or host declaration)
• Travel medical insurance that cover your entire stay

In addition to these general requirements, certain visa types ask for extra documentation:

Study visas

• Acceptance letter from the educational institution in Cyprus

Work visas and the EU Blue Card

• Signed employment contract
• Proof of professional qualifications or relevant work experience
• Medical tests for hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis, and tuberculosis
• Criminal record certificate from your country of origin or residence
• Evidence that your salary meets the minimum threshold (for the EU Blue Card)

Digital Nomad Visa

• Proof that you work remotely for an employer or clients outside Cyprus
• Employment contract or client contracts that match the requested residence permit duration
• Proof of minimum net monthly income of €3,500 and six months of bank statements
• Medical tests for hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis, and tuberculosis
• Signed declaration confirming you and any family members will not work for Cypriot companies or clients

Golden Visa

• Proof of investment (for example, title deed, contract of sale, company shares, or units in a Cyprus-based fund) showing a minimum of €300,000 plus VAT
• Evidence of secure annual income from abroad (minimum €50,000, plus additional amounts for spouse and dependents)
• Civil status certificates (translated and apostilled)
• Clean criminal record from Cyprus and the country of origin

Important: All documents must be in Greek or English, or officially translated and duly certified/ratified.

Cyprus visa application process

The steps below outline how visa applications in Cyprus typically work. While the exact process depends on the type of visa, most applications follow a similar workflow:

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Make sure that you meet the requirements for the visa type you want. This may include:

• Being a non-EU/EEA national (for long-stay, Digital Nomad, EU Blue Card, and Golden Visa applications)
• Having a valid job offer, contracts with clients abroad, or an approved study course
• Meeting minimum income threshold or investment requirements

Step 2: Gather your documents

Collect all required documentation for your visa. This includes the general documents (passport, application form, photographs, proof of accommodation, and medical insurance) as well as any visa-specific documents (employment contracts, proof of income, investment evidence, criminal record certificates, or medical tests).

Step 3: Submit your application

Applications are usually submitted in person to the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia or through a legal representative. Some visas also allow submission via the nearest Cypriot diplomatic mission or consulate abroad. At this stage, you will:

• Provide biometric data (photo and fingerprints, if required)
• Pay the relevant fees

Step 4: Wait for the decision

Processing times depend on the visa type:

• Short-stay visas are usually processed in about 15 days
• Long-stay visas, Digital Nomad Visas, and EU Blue Cards typically take 1–4 months
• Golden Visa applications generally take 2–3 months

You will be notified once a decision has been made.

Step 5: Collect your visa or residence permit

Once approved, follow the instructions from the Migration Department or diplomatic mission to receive your visa or residence permit.

• Long-stay visas (Category D), EU Blue Cards, and Digital Nomad Visas are issued as residence permits valid for the period specified in the visa.
• Golden Visa holders receive a permanent residence card but must maintain the investment and meet reporting requirements.

Step 6: Include family members (if applicable)

For certain visas (Digital Nomad, EU Blue Card, and Golden Visa), spouses and dependent children can be included under family reunification. Their permits will generally match the duration of your own. Employment rights for family members vary depending on the visa type.

Step 7: Renew your visa or permit if needed

Make sure to apply at least one month before your current permit expires.

• Digital Nomad Visas: can be renewed for up to two more years
• EU Blue Cards: can be renewed in line with your employment contract

Cyprus visa fees

Short-stay visas for Cyprus usually cost €90 for most adults. The fee is reduced to €45 for children aged 6 to 12, while children under 6 are exempt. Certain nationalities, including Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and a few others, benefit from a reduced fee of €35 under bilateral agreements.

For long-stay visas (Category D), official information on fees is limited. The government confirms the visa’s duration, but does not provide clear details on the cost.

Other residence options have more defined fees. The Digital Nomad Visa requires €70 for the residence permit and another €70 for registration in the Aliens’ Registry on first application. The Golden Visa carries a €500 submission fee, plus €70 for registration and €70 per residence card.

Because official information is limited and fees can change, it’s best to confirm the latest details with the Cypriot consulate or the Migration Department before you apply. For long-stay applications especially, many people rely on immigration experts to guide them through the application process.

Where is the application process made?

Most Cyprus visa applications are submitted in person. For long-stay visas, Digital Nomad Visas, EU Blue Cards, and the Golden Visa, this usually takes place at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia. Applications can also be submitted through a legal representative.

If you are applying from abroad, you may submit your documents at the nearest Cypriot diplomatic mission or consulate. In countries where no mission exists, the application can sometimes be sent by mail to another diplomatic mission, but you need to arrange this with them beforehand.

How to get a permanent residence permit in Cyprus?

You can apply for permanent residence in Cyprus after five years of continuous legal stay. For non-EU nationals, this is granted as long term residence and requires proof of accommodation, health insurance, an A2-level Greek language certificate, and a test on Cyprus’s political and social realities. EU/EEA citizens and their family members can apply for a Permanent Residence Certificate after the same five-year period. The status is indefinite, but the residence card must be renewed every five years.

Learn More

How to get Cyprus citizenship?

You can apply for Cyprus citizenship after eight years of continuous residence with a temporary or permanent residence permit. Highly skilled workers may qualify sooner under the Golden Knowledge Programme, after five years with A2 Greek or four years with B2 Greek. Citizenship grants full political rights, access to national healthcare and education, and a Cypriot passport with visa-free travel to 174 destinations in 2025. Cyprus allows dual citizenship without any restrictions.

Learn More