IMMIGRATION
UK – Nationals
Permanent Residence Document
We assist our UK – National clients with securing their Permanent Residence Document, so that they will carefreely, safely and legally stay, reside and work in Cyprus.
Our Services
- Provision of a detailed and comprehensive legal advice on eligibility.
- Scheduling an Appointment with the District Immigration Department.
- Liaising with Cyprus Authorities and Institutions for the collection of required documentation (e.g., Banks).
- Reviewing, Preparation and Drafting of all required documentation.
- Accompany the Applicant, with physical presence, during the scheduled appointment with the District Immigration Department.
- Follow up of the procedure until finalization.
Benefits
• Unlimited Duration of Stay
No Visa Requirements for a stay of more than 90 days within a 180 days period.
• Equal treatment to Cyprus Nationals
With reference to Public Healthcare Services (GESY), Banking facilitation, Employment Opportunities, Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Educational Institutions.
• Legal Residency Status
Assists for the purposes of a future Citizenship application.
• Third Country Family Members
Are also entitled to apply, as a family member of the UK National, to secure facilitations as to their residence in Cyprus.
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Criteria
- UK Nationals and UK Nationals Family Members, after a five (5) year period of uninterrupted legal residence in Cyprus before the end of the transitional period, i.e., 31/12/2020, or commencement of periods before and after the transitional period, i.e., 31/12/2020.
- Non- UK Nationals Family Members of a UK National, given that they maintain the residence rights deriving from the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, after a five (5) year period of uninterrupted legal residence in Cyprus before the end of the transitional period, i.e., 31/12/2020 or, commencement of periods before and after the transitional period, i.e. 31/12/2020.
*The granting of the Permanent Residence Document shall not be affected by temporary absences not exceeding six (6) months in a year within the five (5) year period of uninterrupted legal residence in Cyprus, or by absences of a longer duration for compulsory military service or by one absence of a maximum of 12 consecutive months for important reasons such as pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, study or vocational training, or a posting in another Member State or a third country.
**UK-Nationals and their Family Members, who have not exercised their right under the EU law to move and reside freely in the Republic before the 31/12/2020, who wishes to obtain permanent residency in Cyprus, will need to secure a Permanent Residence Permit for Third Country Nationals to reside legally permanently in Cyprus.
Documentation & Information
- Application Form.
- Identification Documents: Valid Passport & Permanent Registration Certificate according to previous EU status.
* If No Permanent Registration Certificate has been issued before the 31/12/2020, the following will be requested:
- Documentary Evidence establishing residency before 31/12/2020.
- Documentary Evidence of continued residence Cyprus for the past 5 years:
-Residential Status: Water bills or Electricity Bills for the past 5 years, or
-Financial Status: Bank Statements showing activity of the account in Cyprus for the past 5 years, or
-Employment Verification: Monthly Statements of Social Insurance Contributions for the past 5 years.
3. Biometrics Data (Photographs and Fingerprints) and Signature will be collected by the District Immigration Department.
* Supporting Documentation issued by competent authorities in countries, other than Cyprus, will need to be officially translated (if needed) and also usually duly certified, depending on which is the issuing country.
** The above consist a brief, not exhaustive, list of the main documentation requested by the Immigration Department for the obtaining of a Permanent Residence Document permit. The Immigration Department might request further supplementary supporting documentation which will correspondent to each Applicant’s specific personal circumstances.
FAQ
1. Does the Applicant need to be physically present during the scheduled appointment with the District Immigration Department ?
Yes. The Applicant need to be physically present.
2. What is GESY?
GeSY stands for the General Healthcare System of Cyprus and, is the Cyprus universal health insurance system, which aims at meeting the expectations of Cypriot citizens and eligible residents for equal access to treatment and provision of high-quality healthcare, by using, in the best possible way, all available resources.
3. Which Documentation needs to be Officially Translated?
Documentation which is in any other language other than Greek or English, needs to be officially translated.
4. Which translations are concerned as Official Translations by the Immigration Department?
Translations made from Sworn Translators in Cyprus or by a Consular or Government Authority of the issuing country. Translations made from Sworn Translators in Cyprus, are usually more preferable.
5. Which Documentation need to be Duly Certified?
Public Documents issued in other countries, other than Cyprus, such as marriage certificate or children’s birth certificate, need to be duly certified.
6. Which certifications are concerned as Duly Certifications by the Immigration Department?
Certification by a Cyprus Embassy or Consulate in the issuing country will suffice.
Otherwise, Apostille certification, where the issuing country has signed the Apostille Convention, will also suffice.
7. How long does the examination of the application take?
For UK-Nationals and for UK-National Family Members, the examination of the application usually takes place within 3-6 months.
For Non- UK Nationals Family Members of a UK-National, the examination of the application usually takes place 6-8 months.
8. While expecting for the application submitted to be examined, is it possible for a UK National, UK National Family Member and Non-UK National Family Member to travel freely as if the Permanent Residence Document had already been issued?
Upon submission of the permanent residence document application, the UK National or the UK National Family Member or the Non-UK National Family Member Applicant, is provided by the District Immigration Department with an Application Submission Receipt, which allows the Applicant to stay and re-enter Cyprus freely, until the application examination is completed.
They will also be able to use their registration certificate (yellow slip) or residence document while the examination of the permanent residence document application is pending.
9. How long is a Permanent Residence Document valid?
It will be valid for be 10 years. After the expiration, the Permanent residence document is automatically renewed every ten years after the relevant application submitted.
10. What happens if they have secured Permanent Registration Certificate according to their previous EU status, before 31/12/2020 have not yet secured a Permanent Residence Document?
They are entitled to retain their permanent residence certificate and use them as proof of their right to live, reside, work and access healthcare in Cyprus under the Withdrawal Agreement. However, they are strongly encouraged to apply for the new Permanent Residence Document to formalize and evidence their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
11. Is it possible for a Permanent Residence Document to be withdraw?
Once acquired, the right of permanent residence shall be lost only through absence from the Republic of Cyprus for a period exceeding five (5) consecutive years.
12. How much are the application fees payable to the Immigration Department?
The application fees payable to the Immigration Department is €30.
13. Is a resident of Cyprus, able to invite a Third Country National for a visit in Cyprus?
Yes. A relevant hosting form shall be completed and submitted to the Immigration Department, together with an original letter of guarantee for a specific amount of money, depending on which country is the Third Country National from, and a copy of the third country national passport.
*The above constitute general information and does not substitute professional legal advice or consultation, which shall be sought prior of taking any action.