Cyprus is largely due to tourism. Foreigners find there clean Mediterranean beaches, bright sun and many historical monuments. But for those wishing to stay here permanently, Cyprus opens up from the other side. A residence permit for Russians gives a lot of opportunities and causes many problems in the registration process, but first things first.
Quick reference and important features
The first point on which Russians choose Cyprus for migration is warm weather without sharp temperature jumps. Even in winter, the thermometer does not drop below +20 degrees, and in summer the air sometimes warms up up to +40 degrees.
In addition, there are several more main advantages:
- Inexpensive real estate: you can buy a house in the city center for 50 thousand euros (cheaper than in other European countries), and in the suburbs the cost is even less;
- The island is surrounded on all sides by the sea, so you can easily buy a house almost on the shore;
- There is practically no crime, Cyprus is considered one of the safest countries in the world. They don't steal on the streets - you can easily leave the car open and not worry about its safety;
- The locals are very friendly towards foreigners, especially Russians;
- Many Russian speaking people;
- Clean ecology and quality food.
But there are also some downsides:
- The economy is mainly based on tourism, so it is quite difficult to make money here out of season;
- The economy is unstable - investing for the future is risky;
- Salaries are lower than in the rest of Europe, and utilities are expensive.
Types of residence permit in Cyprus
For those who want to stay in Cyprus for more than 3 months, there are two options for the development of events:
- Registration of temporary residence permit... In Cyprus, this is called a temporary resident visa (Pink Slip). Valid for a year and issued for study, visiting friends / relatives or work;
- Permanent residence permit (permanent residence)... Called Yellow slip and is issued for 5 years. Basis - the purchase of real estate in ownership not cheaper than 300 thousand euros.
A citizen who has received a Cypriot residence permit has the right to:
- Carry your legal wife / husband and children under 18 years old;
- Apply for a Schengen visa in an expedited manner;
- Receive a decent education;
- Open your own business or get a job;
- Apply for local citizenship after 7 years of residence permit.
Important! In Cyprus, dual citizenship is accepted, so an applicant for this status does not have to give up his rights in his home country.
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Grounds for obtaining a Cyprus residence permit
The most popular ways to emigrate to Cyprus are:
- Acquisition of local real estate;
- Starting your own business;
- Local university enrollment;
- Obtaining a position in a Cypriot company;
- Moving in the status of a financially independent person;
- Reunification with relatives in Cyprus;
- Conclusion of marriage with a resident of the country.
There are other ways to get to the island, but they will only work for a limited number of people. Thus, a citizen who is oppressed in his home state can move to Cyprus with refugee status. However, he will have to officially prove the fact of violation of his rights. Opening a residence permit will not take a long time for a migrant. Getting the status you want is pretty straightforward.
Documents for obtaining a residence permit in Cyprus
A migrant submits an application for a residence permit status to the Cypriot consulate in his home country or to the migration department in Cyprus if he is legally on the island at the time of filing.
The main list of securities should include:
- Foreign passport + copies of all pages;
- Color photographs 35x45 mm, 4 pieces;
- Bank account statement with an amount of 50 thousand euros. The money must be in a Cypriot bank;
- Confirmation of the availability of living space (lease agreement or document of purchase and sale);
- Medical insurance. It is better if it is issued by a Cypriot agency;
- Certificate from the police about the absence of a criminal record and current convictions.
All documents are supplemented with copies and translation into the national (Greek) language. Originals of certificates and copies of other documents are certified by an apostille. This is a special seal that proves the legality of the paper.
The main list of papers is supplemented by other documents, the package of which depends on the basis for moving to the country. Detailed lists are presented below.
Documents for a minor
The child can migrate to Cyprus with their parents or go to study. A minor needs to prepare:
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- Birth certificate with a copy;
- Copies of parents' passports;
- Consent to leave (from the father / mother - if traveling with one parent, from both - if traveling with an accompanying person or alone).
You will also need a sponsorship letter in which the parents undertake to assume all the expenses of the child.
Buying a property
Buying your own real estate is the easiest but costly way to obtain a residence permit.
However, to realize the status, several conditions must be met:
- The living quarters must be new;
- The apartment costs no less 300 thousand euros;
- The investor must prove that the annual household income reaches 60 thousand euros;
- An account with a deposit must be opened in the name of the buyer at 30 thousand euros.
Resident status is assigned to an investor for an unlimited period. However, the property buyer is not allowed to work on the island. This restriction is removed after 5 years of stay in the state in the status of a residence permit.
Business immigration
It will be difficult for an entrepreneur to move to Cyprus, since a large amount of money will be required to open a business.
There are two ways to stay in business:
- Opening a branch of an international company;
- Creation of a company from scratch (required share capital at least 260 thousand euros).
To open a residence permit, an entrepreneur applies a ready-made business plan to the package of documents and confirms his solvency with a certificate from the bank. If migration takes place on the basis of opening a branch of an existing company, documents on its registration are attached.
Immigration for the financially independent
Wealthy foreigners can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of living and resting on the island. To do this, they will need:
- Prove that the applicant's income is at least 30 thousand euros per year, and for each family member there is another 5 thousand... annual income;
- Provide a lease or purchase agreement for living space;
- Put money in a Cypriot bank.
Migration on the basis of financial independence does not give the right to get a job.
Student migration
Universities in Cyprus are not among the best in Europe, but they are still highly regarded in Russia and some European countries. To migrate on the basis of education, you must pass several exams and enroll in a local university.
To open a residence permit you will need:
- Certificate of admission to the university;
- Receipt for partial tuition fees;
- Bank statement with the availability of money in the account.
Job Based Migration
It is problematic to issue a residence permit based on employment. A work visa for a foreigner is issued by an employer and only if within 40 days since the vacancy appeared, not a single local resident has wanted to take the proposed position.
In addition, the migrant must have a work permit, which is issued by the Cypriot Ministry of Labor. If all the rules are followed, the employer sends the foreigner an official invitation, on the basis of which a residence permit is opened.You will also need to provide a diploma or certificate of continuing education.
Marriage
It is considered one of the easiest ways. You can get married / get married on the territory of any state. A residence permit for a foreigner is issued on the basis of a marriage certificate and an application from both newlyweds.
This method has several nuances:
- Marriage with a Cypriot citizen does not guarantee citizenship: further consideration of this status may take several years;
- If the Cypriot spouse does not give consent to the wife's employment, she will stay in the country as a housewife for the first few years.
If the marriage ended in divorce, legislation will primarily protect the rights of its citizen.
Migration of retirees
Typically, retirees move to the island in two ways:
- Through reunification with relatives (children or spouses). It is necessary to confirm the relationship with a marriage or birth certificate;
- As well-to-do persons. The income should be about a thousand euros per month, this is confirmed by a certificate from the bank.
Additionally, a pension certificate and a certificate of pension accrual are attached.
Processing time and cost
An application for a residence permit is considered for about 2 months. In rare cases, the process can take 3-4 months. Initial submission of documents to Pink slip will cost 140 euros... This is just the amount of the state duty, excluding additional costs.
The applicant will also have to spend money on compulsory health insurance, translation and legalization of documents.
Why they may refuse, and what to do
There may be several reasons for refusing to grant a residence permit:
- Lack of rented or own housing in Cyprus;
- There are not enough funds in the bank account to stay on the island;
- Errors / misprints in the application, lack of translation into English and Greek;
- Forging papers to obtain status or providing false information.
In the first three cases, it is possible to re-submit documents after a while. Forgery of documents is a serious crime, and after such an oversight, the applicant's path to the island may be completely closed.
Extension of the residence permit
Resident card (Pink Slip) valid throughout the year. One month before the expiration date, it is necessary to apply for an extension of the document. To do this, the applicant collects documents similar to the package at the first filing. The state duty for renewing the status will be half as much - 70 euros.
Important! A migrant must live in the country for at least 6 months, and leave the island for no longer than 90 days. In this case, the permit will be extended without problems.
Grounds for the loss of a residence permit
A foreigner can be deprived of his residence permit or even deported from the country if he has committed a serious violation. For instance:
- The migration service learned that during the initial filing, fictitious documents or false information were provided; li>
- A sham marriage was contracted;
- A company established in Cyprus does not generate sufficient income;
- The migrant has repeatedly violated local laws.
Feedback from migrants
Alexander: I have been living in Cyprus for the third year. True, so far only on a tourist visa, occasionally I fly to Russia to visit my family. Among the advantages of the country, I can & nbsp; highlight the magnificent nature and proximity to the sea. And among the minuses is the small territory of the island. Sooner or later it gets boring, especially for young people. But if the income is high, you can travel regularly and live permanently in Cyprus. Fortunately, it is not far from the island to fly to Europe.
Ilya:It is almost impossible for a migrant to find a job here with Russian or Ukrainian documents. We need to look for a company that has available quotas for foreigners and a vacancy that is not suitable for local residents. The chances of finding a job in this way are scanty. Alternatively, you can “freelance”. Let's say you work remotely for a company in another country. I do CGI for an employer in Spain and no problem.
Alexandra: A year ago we moved to Cyprus with our two sons and a husband. The children immediately went to school and kindergarten and made friends with local children. The weather is simply gorgeous - warm and sunny right up to December. As for work, my husband and I have our own business via the Internet, so there were no problems. We are now in the process of extending the visa.
Conclusion
It is quite easy to obtain a residence permit in Cyprus if you have a permanent source of income outside the country or you have savings. It is not easy to find a job, mainly Russian migrants work via the Internet. All visitors are pleased with the magnificent weather and the gorgeous sea. However, do not forget that opening a residence permit in Cyprus does not guarantee further permanent residence and citizenship.
