A third-country national who has been accepted by a higher education institution and is admitted to pursue as a main activity a full-time course of study leading to a higher education qualification recognized by the Republic of Cyprus, including diplomas, certificates or doctoral degrees, in a higher education institution, may enter Cyprus with an entry permit issued by the Civil Registry and Migration Department, provided that an application is submitted by the higher education institution.

The higher education institution must be registered to the ministry of Education of Cyprus or be recognized or considered as such, in accordance with national law or practice.

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.