Legislation and policy
According to Aliens and Immigration Regulation 14, a visitor's permit is issued to a third-country national for the purpose of (a) entering the Republic for short or long-term holidays, (b) touring or (c) investigating the possibility of residing in the Republic. According to the same Regulation, the holders of a visitor's permit cannot carry out an economic activity in the Republic. The categories of third-country nationals that can apply for a visitors’ temporary residence permit are as follows:

• Visitor- Autonomous visitor permit
• Visitor – Dependent Spouse Visitor
• Visitor – Dependent Minor Child of Visitor
• Visitor – Priest, Monk/Nun of the Orthodox Church or of the Churches of Religious Minorities in the Republic of Cyprus
• Visitor – Dependent Adult Family Member of a third-country national with Immigration Permit (direct ascendant/direct descendent)
• Dependent Partner of a Cypriot citizen with a duly proven permanent relationship for the purpose of marriage. The specific temporary residence permit is issued for three months and concerns foreign nationals who maintained a duly proven long-term relationship with a Cypriot citizen (at least one year) and who entered the Republic by legal entry with a visa and did not stay in the Republic for more than three months after the expiry of their visa.

* For any other category of visitor who is related to a Cypriot or European citizen or a third country national with a different temporary residence permit in the Republic than the above, the relevant information and the relevant forms can be found on the relevant links of this website which corresponds to the supporting family member (e.g. Family Members Cypriot Citizens, Family members of employees at companies of foreign Interests, Family memebrs of EU Citizens, etc.

Entry into the Republic
Entry into the Republic is permitted through the legal entry points with a Visa issued by the Republic’s Consular Authorities and with a valid travel document. Before the expiration of the Visa an application shall be submitted according to the procedure below.

Procedure for applications

• For the acquisition or renewal of a residence permit to a visitor, an application (MVIS) must be submitted. The application should be accompanied by the necessary supporting documents. All supporting documents submitted in the context of applications must be officially translated and duly certified/certified.
• Applications are submitted at the application submission offices. To find out whether an appointment is needed follow this link.
• For the submission of the application, the necessary fees must be submitted, as listed below.
• During the submission of the application, and in cases where there is no previous registration, a first registration shall be made in the Aliens Registry and an Alien Registration Card (ARC) will be issued.
• For the issuance of the temporary residence permit capturing biometric data (photo and fingerprints) and the signature of the beneficiary is necessary, which is done with the presentation of the application submission receipt and a valid travel document. For persons who have not reached the age of six years at the time of applying only the photo is captured. This data is also captured for the renewal of the temporary residence permit.
• In case the application is approved, the applicant will receive a letter notifying them of how to receive their residence permit.
• In case the application is rejected, the applicant will receive a letter informing them of the rejection reasons.

Fees

• Issuance or renewal of a residence permit: €70
• Registration in the Aliens’ Register (only in cases of first registration): €70

Application examination time
Usually before the completion of four (4) months provided that the information or documents submitted in support of the application are sufficient.

Duration of validity of the residence permit
Visitors are granted a first temporary residence permit of one (1) year, except for the residence permits of priests/monks/nuns of the Orthodox Church or the churches of other religious minorities in Cyprus where it is extended to three (3) years if there is a relevant request from the church and the necessary supporting documents are presented.

If the passport expires sooner, the residence permit is issued with a validity of three months before the expiry of the applicant's passport. For wives and children or direct ascendants, where applicable, who reside with a visitor's residence permit, a residence permit is issued up to the validity of the dependent's residence permit, provided that the travel document of the third-country national is valid along with the aforementioned time constraints.

These permits are renewable, provided that the relevant criteria are met.

Ιt is noted that the residence permits issued for Visitors for the purpose of marriage with a Cypriot citizen are valid only for three (3) months in order for the marriage to be conducted.