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Cyprus Long-Stay Visa (Category D)
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.
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The Long-Stay Visa (Category D) in Cyprus entitles foreign nationals to stay in the Republic of Cyprus for a period of up to one year. This is what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says. But information on both English and Greek pages regarding this visa is limited. Most of the details available online come from private legal or immigration service websites, rather than official government pages.
So to help you out, we’ve collected all the right information so that you can understand what this visa is for, how it differs from a Schengen Visa, and why it’s different from a residence permit.
What is the Cyprus long-stay visa (category D)?
The Category D visa is a national long-stay visa. It is meant for non-EU nationals who want to remain in Cyprus for more than 90 days and up to one year. Unlike a Schengen Visa, it is valid only for Cyprus, since the country is not yet part of the Schengen Area.
Although it allows you to enter and remain in Cyprus for a year, it does not grant you permanent residence by itself. Still, it's a useful visa to start building your case for permanent residence.
Now, this is where some of the confusion begins. The term “Category D” is also used in Cypriot immigration law to describe a permanent immigration permit for self-employed professionals or scientists. But be careful; that is a wholly different status.
The difference between the “Category D” visa and the immigration permit
One of the main drivers of misunderstandings is that “Category D” is used to refer both to this temporary long-stay visa and to a separate immigration permit under the Aliens and Immigration Regulations.
The Category D long-stay visa is temporary. It allows entry to Cyprus for up to one year for a specific purpose and requires applying for a temporary residence permit after arrival.
The Category D immigration permit is permanent. It applies mainly to self-employed professionals or scientists who can prove their qualifications, financial means, and demand for their profession in Cyprus. If granted, it allows long-stay residence.
Because of this overlap in terminology and the lack of clear information, most applicants rely on immigration experts to decide which “Category D” applies to their situation. Without guidance, the process can feel too complicated to grab.
Purposes and requirements of the Category D long-stay visa
Based on information from immigration service providers (not official sources), this visa is usually granted for one of the following purposes:
- Self-employment in a profession or scientific field in Cyprus
- Employment that does not create undue competition in the local labour market
- Study at a Cypriot educational institution
- Family reunification with Cypriot residents or citizens
It is important to note that the visa is tied to the stated purpose and does not allow activities beyond what is approved.
Holders of a Category D visa must apply for a temporary residence permit within seven days of arrival in Cyprus. During this step, applicants must submit a list of documents, including proof of accommodation, financial means, health insurance, a police clearance certificate, and documents related to the purpose of stay (for example, a work permit or proof of enrolment for students).
The residence permit application takes around three to four months to process. The permit is usually issued for one year and can be renewed as long as the original conditions are still met.
Note: Keep in mind this information does not come from an official source. The only official information is the one regarding the visa extension: The long-stay visa (category D) allows you to stay in Cyprus for a period of up to one year.
Who is the Cyprus long-stay visa for?
In practice, this visa mainly makes sense in one main scenario: if you want to start building your case for permanent residence in Cyprus. It is less practical as a standalone visa, since it requires a quick follow-up application for a residence permit and does not provide long-term status on its own.
Another thing to keep in mind is how difficult it is to find reliable guidance. Even the official government pages in Greek only confirm the one-year duration and little else. Most of the details available come from third-party legal services. Because of this, the Cyprus long-stay visa can be difficult to handle unless you work with an immigration expert who can guide you through the registration process.
Is the Cyprus Long-Stay visa ideal for expats?
If your main goal is to study, work in Cyprus, or join family members, there are clearer pathways available through other permits. If you want a simple route into Cyprus as a remote worker, the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa is a better option. If you are a highly qualified professional, you may want to explore the EU Blue Card in Cyprus. For those looking at investment routes, the Cyprus Golden Visa offers long-term stability. Those options seem more straightforward (and much more generous regarding official information!) than the long-stay visa.
Still, the best way for expats to move to Cyprus doesn’t necessarily depend on a single visa, because the best way to move to Cyprus is with a relocation-friendly job. Cyprus is, possibly a bit under the radar, a relocation-friendly job magnet. The Global Move reported that this country is one of the top countries in terms of relocation-friendly job openings in 2025.
What does it mean that the Cyprus long-stay visa is not a Schengen visa?
The Cyprus long-stay visa (category D) is not a Schengen visa. Cyprus is a member of the European Union, but has not yet joined the Schengen Area. This means that a Category D visa only allows you to stay in Cyprus. It does not give you travel rights across Schengen countries like the Netherlands, Germany, or France.
Entry to Cyprus with Schengen visas and EU residence permits
As explained above, the Cyprus Category D visa only allows you to live in Cyprus and does not give you travel rights across Schengen countries. The reverse situation, however, works a little differently. Since June 2014, Cyprus has allowed entry to third-country nationals (shorthand for non-EU) who hold valid Schengen visas or EU residence permits.
If you already hold a valid Schengen visa (Category C, double or multiple entry) or a Category D visa or residence permit from another EU or Schengen state, you may visit Cyprus without an additional visa. Your stay, however, cannot exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, and you must still meet basic entry conditions such as showing proof of accommodation and sufficient funds.
This arrangement does not apply to everyone. For example, nationals of Turkey and Azerbaijan still need to apply for a separate Cypriot visa even if they hold a Schengen or EU residence permit.
Contact immigration experts and start building your case
If your aim is to settle in Cyprus and eventually apply for permanent residence, the Category D long-stay visa can serve as a first step. But given how confusing the process is, this visa is rarely a practical choice unless you are working with immigration experts who can guide you through it.
At Relocate.me, we take visa information seriously, which is why this page is carefully curated with the most reliable details available. The Cypriot authorities provide very little official information, so if you are considering this route, make sure you speak to immigration experts and get the right support to get started. We can connect you with those experts so you can start your Cypriot journey. Good luck!
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