Cyprus

Information for all students

Students should ensure that their passports are signed and stamped when entering and exiting Border Control. These stamps will prove the duration of your visit and, more importantly, prove to the visa official that you have not overstayed your 90-day visit.

It is important to understand the Schengen 90/180 rule. You are allocated 90 visa-free days to use within the Schengen Zone, however you must remember these are rolling days and are added onto a cumulative total of days in the Schengen region. Leaving and entering does not reset your calculator – only leaving for a period of 90 days in a non-Schengen country will reset your visa-free 90-day allowance.

Read more about the Schengen rules

Studying for up to 3 months

EU citizens do not need to obtain a visa. The Office of Admissions will assist with this procedure.

EU/non-EU/non-EEA students must ensure that they have health insurance coverage or an EU Hospitalisation Card/GHIC card. UK students can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. During this time you can compete the following activities:

• Tourism
• Visiting family or friends
• Attending business meetings
• Cultural or sports events
• Short-term study or training

Non-EU/non-EEA students who require a visa to enter Cyprus should apply for a short-stay visa (category C).

Discover whether you require a visa to study in Cyprus.

Gather your documents

In order to apply for your short-stay visa (category C), you must gather the following documents:

• Valid passport or travel document (issued within the previous 10 years)
• Completed and signed application form
• 1 recent photograph per person (endorsed on passport)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of the intended stay
• Recent and original letter from school, college or university, confirming attendance
• Travel itinerary
• Proof of accommodation in the Republic of Cyprus
• A valid UK residence permit
• Valid medical travel insurance of a minimum of 30,000 Euro

Discover the full list of required documents.

Please be informed that, as of 11/06/2024, the fee for a visa is the equivalent of €90 in British pounds. This applies to single entry, double, and multiple visas. Please be informed that visa handling fees will be charged on all applications handed in the Consulate General, irrespective of outcome. Visas can be issued free of charge to the spouse and children (-18) of a European Union national. 

How to apply

The Cyprus High Commission has outsourced the collection of visa applications from third-country nationals. You must submit your visa applications to the designated VFS Global offices across the UK.

The Cyprus High Commission does not accept on-site applications. You will be referred to VFS Global to submit your documents.

Book your VFS Global appointment today.

Studying for more than 3 months

EU citizens do not require a visa or Residence Permit. However, you must apply for Issue of Residence Permit to the Migration Department within 4 months of entering the Republic of Cyprus. The Office of Admissions will assist with this procedure.

EU/non-EU/non-EEA students must make sure they have health insurance coverage or an EU Hospitalisation Card/GHIC card.

For stays over 3 months, some countries may require you to apply for a Schengen long stay Visa (D).

Click here to read more information on visa requirements in Cyprus. 

Gather your documents

In order to apply for your student visa, you must gather the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Proof of application fee payment
• 4 passport-size photographs
• Attested (certified true) copies of your academic qualifications
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if applicable)
• Photocopy of valid passport.
• Recent certificate of good conduct, issued by the police of the country of origin/residence
• Recent financial guarantee, proving your sponsor will cover the costs of living and studying in Cyprus for 1 academic year (if applicable)

Discover the full list of required documents.

How to apply

The Cyprus High Commission has outsourced the collection of visa applications for third country nationals. All applicants must submit their visa applications to the designated VFS Global offices across the UK.

All applicants will be referred to VFS Global to submit their documents. You can check if you need a visa here.

Upon arrival

Students must report to the educational institution on the first working day after arrival to register and proceed with the remaining formalities needed for the issue of a temporary Residence Permit.

International students should register with the District Police Alien Branch within 7 days of arrival in Cyprus. Within 1 week of arriving in Cyprus, students are obliged to proceed with medical examinations and submit relevant medical certificates to the District Police Alien Branch.

Working for up to 3 months

In Cyprus, a temporary Residence Permit for employment purposes can be limited to the expected period of employment in the following cases:

• A period of employment exceeding 3 months but not exceeding a year
• When working for an individual providing services in the Republic of Cyprus
• Seasonal employment exceeding 3 months (except when no permit is required)

Nationals from EU Member States have the right to enter Cyprus by simply showing a valid EU passport or ID Card. You do not have to register upon arrival.

You may also need a Schengen C visa, you can check if you need one here. 

 

Your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf, prior to starting employment in Cyprus and before applying for your temporary residence permit.

Gather your documents

To apply for a work permit, you and your employer will need the following documents:

• Original employment contract
• Certificate of police clearance
• Change the amount needed in a bank guarantee letter from 200-500 to 350-850 euro (depending on your country)
• Proof of health insurance

Discover the full list of required documents.

How to apply

To get a work permit, you will need to make an appointment at the Cyprus Consulate. You will need to take the following documents to the appointment:

• Valid passport
• Completed and signed visa application form
• Medical clearance
• Police clearance
• Travel health insurance
• Work contract with the seal of the department of labour
• Any other documents to support your application or that you are asked to submit

Find out more information here.

 

Gather your documents

 To apply for a temporary residence permit, you will need to gather the following documents:

• Application of the form MVIS3
• Immigration health insurance
• Property agreement and proof of accommodation
• Bank guarantee with a Cyprus bank
• Bank statement showing proof of deposit and transfer
• Documents to prove income from abroad
• Passport copy
• Police checks
• Work permit or proof of enrolment in an educational institution

   

Discover the full list of required documents.

How to apply

Applications for a work permit must be submitted by your host employer in Cyprus. During this time, your student work contract should be stamped.

Upon arrival

A temporary residence permit must be applied for within 7 days of arriving in Cyprus. The documents you will need to provide for this are as follows:

• A complete application form (MVIS3)
• Immigration health insurance
• Property agreement and proof of accommodation
• A bank guarantee with a Cyprus bank
• Bank statement showing proof of deposit and transfer
• Documents to prove stable income from abroad
• A copy of your Passport
• Police checks 
• Work permit or proof of enrolment in an educational instuation. 

Disover more here.

You must apply for an Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) at the local Immigration Branch of the Police within eight days of your arrival.

You should apply for a social insurance number when securing employment in Cyprus.

Your application for a Residence Permit must be submitted within 3 months of arriving in Cyprus to the Civil Registration and Migration Department. This should be done through the local Immigration Branch of the Police.

Non-EU/non-EEA students travelling to Cyprus for a period of up to 90 days must apply for a student permit from the Immigration Authorities. You should then sign a contract of employment with an employer and submit it to a District Employment Office for approval. The Employment Office will check the main conditions and, if satisfied, will approve the contract.

Working for more than 3 months

A temporary Residence Permit for employment purposes, can be limited to the expected period of employment in the following cases:

• a period of employment exceeding 3 months but not exceeding a year
• when working for an individual providing services in the Republic of Cyprus
• seasonal employment exceeding 3 months (except when no permit is required)

EU nationals do not require a visa or Residence Permit to enter Cyprus. However, for the purposes of employment, you will need to apply for a Registration Certificate. This application must be submitted within 4 months of entering Cyprus at the local Immigration Branch of the Police. Please be aware that, in the case of non-compliance, a fine will be imposed.

When applying for a registration certificate, the EU citizen must turn up personally at the Civil Registry and Migration Department. This service is, for the time being, provided at the local Immigration Branch of the Police in all districts (except Nicosia where a District Migration Office exists).

For stays over 3 months, some countries may also require you to have a Schengen long say (D) visa. 

If you're unsure if you need a visa, you can find out more information here. 

 

Your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf, prior to starting employment in Cyprus and before applying for your temporary residence permit.

Gather your documents

To apply for a work permit, you and your employer will need the following documents:

• Original employment contract
• Certificate of police clearance
• Change the amount needed in a bank guarantee letter from 200-500 to 350-850 euro (depending on your country)
• Proof of health insurance

Discover the full list of required documents.

How to apply

To get a work permit, you will need to make an appointment at the Cyprus Consulate. You will need to take the following documents to the appointment:

• Valid passport
• Completed and signed visa application form
• Medical clearance
• Police clearance
• Travel health insurance
• Work contract with the seal of the department of labour
• Any other documents to support your application or that you are asked to submit

Find out more information here.

 

Gather your documents

In order to apply for your temporry residence Permit for employment, you should gather the following documents:

• Application of the form MVIS3

• Immigration health insurance

• Property agreement and proof of accommodation

• Bank guarantee

• Bank statement

• Documents to prove income from abroad

• Passport copy

• Police checks

• Work permit or proof of enrolment in an educational institution

Find the full list of required documents here.

You can obtain the standard form from the Civil Registry and Migration Departments, or from the local Immigration branch of the Police.

Please note, if you are applying for dependants, you must present certified true copies of your marriage certificate, birth certificates of children, etc.

It is recommended that students apply for a social insurance number upon securing employment in Cyprus.