A third-country national who is admitted to the territory of Cyprus to follow a recognised, state or regional programme of secondary education for a level of education equivalent to Gymnasium and Lyceum, in the context of a pupil exchange scheme or educational project operated by an education establishment, may enter Cyprus with an entry permit issued by the Migration Department, provided that an application is submitted by the education institution.

The education institutions in which the admission of third-country national pupils is allowed can be public or private secondary education establishments recognized by the Republic of Cyprus or whose study courses are recognized in accordance with national law or administrative practice of the Cypriot authorities. An educational project is considered a set of educational actions developed by an education establishment in the Republic of Cyprus in cooperation with similar establishments in a third country, with the purpose of sharing cultures and knowledge.

The application shall be submitted and examined either when the third-country national concerned is residing outside the territory of Cyprus or when the third-country national is already residing as holder of a valid residence permit. The application cannot be submitted when the third country national is already in Cyprus as a holder of a tourist/visiting visa.

In case there is a valid residence permit, re-entry into Cyprus can be achieved upon presentation of the permit and a valid passport, provided that the person concerned has not remained outside the Republic for more than three months.

In case an application has been submitted for a residence permit that has not yet been examined, then re-entry to the Republic can be obtained with the payment receipt provided after the submission of the application fees, which bears a stamp allowing re-entry into Cyprus. This receipt has to be presented along with the valid passport on the return trip.