This Memo has been drafted in view of presenting the information and procedures required in order for a Category F Immigration Permit to be approved.
Background
According to Regulation 4 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, Cap.105, the Commission on Control of Immigration examines appliances for concession of certain applications with a report being sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs who is responsible for granting the relevant authorisations. An alien can only have his Immigration Permit granted if and only if the application raises one of the six categories under Regulation 5 [Category F only relevant for this Memo].
An immigration permit that is granted in relation to Category F is equivalent to an approval for permanent residence in Cyprus and provides the holders of such a permit the ability to be excluded from any time-consuming migratory formalities that the other Categories may place on third-country nationals. However, immigrants that have there Immigration Permits approved are compelled according to regulations, if abroad, to come to Cyprus, within one year, for permanent residence from the date in which the Immigrant Permit was granted. Furthermore, if an Immigrant does not live in Cyprus, for almost two years he loses the right for permanent residence in Cyprus.
According to Regulation 8 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, Cap.105, dependants of the Immigration Permit Applicant are also considered as permanent residences in Cyprus. Dependants include children under the age of 18 and/or the applicant's wife.
Requirements for Category F approval:
- Category F relates to people that are third-country nationals which will not be working in Cyprus but will remain in Cyprus as permanent tourists. They must have at their disposal a secured annual income of at least €9568.17 which may, for example, emanate from pensions, shares or even permanent deposits. This income however must not emanate from any employment or self-employment in Cyprus but only from abroad. Immigration has the right to ask for more income than the one stated above.
- A further requirement that is essential for the approval of an Immigration Permit by the Minister of Internal Affairs is that third-country nationals must purchase a householder residence for ownership-occupancy in Cyprus worth €300,000 or more [preferably, the property must be written on the name of the Immigration Permit Applicant].
Relevant documents required after forms have been completed:
- Notarised Passport Copy
- If already a resident in Cyprus, a copy of a residence permit is required
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Original documents of Bank Deposits
- Original documents and Affidavit to prove income from other sources other than employment (e.g. income from shares)
- Original documents to prove the purchase of property in Cyprus (the contract is required that also states the price of the property).
- Documents that prove occupation.
- Deed that indicates annual turnover and income from applicant's business.
- Utility Bill (for example, electricity bill to prove the country of residence).
- Reference Letter from the bank.
- Health Insurance Certificate (Resident in Cyprus) .
- Certificate of Clean Criminal Record.
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)