Cyprus Yellow Slip

Benefits

Holders of Yellow Slip Residence Permit enjoy an array of benefits in Cyprus:

• Full rights of stay and re-entry in Cyprus.
• Full access to the labour market of Cyprus with full employment rights, work, and engagement in business activities. The holder of the Yellow Slip is entitled to the same rights that Cypriot citizens enjoy.
• Registration with the national health system of Cyprus, known as Cyprus General Health System (“GeSy”), ensuring to residents of Cyprus access to good and comprehensive healthcare coverage, from regular check-ups, medical services and specialized treatments.

Yellow Slip: Application, Procedure and Validity

The Yellow Slip application and its accompanying documentation for the issue of the Certificate of Registration must submitted within four (4) months from the date of entry into the Republic of Cyprus.

Please note that a Yellow Slip residence permit does not provide visa-free travel to either Europe or other countries. Its validity is only for Cyprus.

The Yellow Slip residence permit applies for European citizens and for their family members. Depending on the citizenship of the family members, there are different types of Yellow Slip application type and forms.

Definition of “family members”:

• the spouse of European citizen or partner who has conducted a civil union with the European citizen.
• the direct descendants of the European citizen who are under the age of 21 or are dependants and those of the spouse or partner of the European citizen.
• the dependent direct relatives in the ascending line of the European citizen and those of the spouse or partner of the European citizen.

MEU1 Application Form: EU and EEA Citizens

• Who can apply– European (EU and EEA) citizens, as well as their family members who are also European citizens, can apply with the MEU1 Form.
• Processing time– The Yellow Slip is issued within one (1) month.

 The applicant will receive a residency certificate known as Certificate of Registration.

MEU2 Application Form: Non-European citizens family members

• Who can apply– Non-European family members of a Yellow Slip holder can apply with the MEU2 Form.
• Processing time– The Yellow Slip is issued by Nicosia’s Civil Registry and Migration Department. This procedure usually takes up to six (6) months.

 Unlike European citizens that receive Certificate of Registration, the non-European applicant under MEU2 will receive a residency card upon approval.

Once applied, non-European applicants can freely stay, exit and re-enter Cyprus as long as they travel with their Yellow Slip application receipts.

MEU3 Application Form (for permanent residence):  Non-European citizens family members

• Who can apply– Non-European family members who have completed five (5) years of residence in Cyprus, can apply with the MEU3 form for permanent residence in Cyprus.
• Processing time– This procedure usually takes between four (4) and six (6) months.

Upon approval, the applicant will receive a Permanent Residency Card.

Cyprus Yellow Slip validity

The Certificate of Registration for European citizens does not expire.

For non-European citizens / third country nationals who are family members of an European citizen that has obtained the Yellow Slip, their residence permit is for five (5) years. Upon expiry, the non-European family members can apply for renewal of their residence permit.

How to obtain the Certificate of Registration (for MEU1 and MEU2)

Required documents

The documents required to get the Yellow Slip residence permit include:

1. Application forms MEU1 & MEU2 duly filled out and signed
2. Copy of valid passport (not expired)
3. Marriage Certificate or Civil Partnership, duly certified and translated*(If applicable)
4. Signed Declaration of Harmonious Cohabitation of the couple
5. Children’s Birth Certificates, duly certified and translated*(If applicable)
6. Rental Agreement or Sale Agreement of a house/apartment

The Rental Agreement must be for a period of twelve (12) months, with the signatures of Landlord and Tenants to be certified by the local Mukthar (community leader). If the vale of the Rental Agreement exceeds €5,000, it must also bear stamp duty.

7. Bank statements from a bank account in Cyprus or bank statements from a bank account of a bank outside of Cyprus (not Electronic Money Institution) (if applicable). 

The bank statement should be for a period of six (6) months, in order to demonstrate stable and satisfactory income of the applicant, that will be used to cover his/her expenses in Cyprus.

8. If the applicant is employed outside of Cyprus, bring a confirmation letter from the employer and a payslip.
9. If the applicant is employed in Cyprus:

a. Social Insurance Services certificate of registration with detailed statement of contributions stating last employer and salary (for employee or self-employed)

b. Employment Certificate from Employer

c. Employer to sign and stamp the relevant part of application form

d. Salary Certificate (where applicable)

10. Certificate of Health Insurance (not needed if working in Cyprus) or Confirmation of registration with GESY and private insurance for in-hospital care and transportation of the diseased. It can either be an international health insurance, or with a health insurance company in Cyprus. The cost for the health insurance is approximately €200 for each person, and can be arranged within 1-2 days.

NOTE: The documents with (*) if they are not in Greek or English language, they must be translated to English and bear the “apostille” stamp since they are official government-issued documents. Alternatively, they need to be certified from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country that has/will issue them and subsequently to be certified by the Embassy of Cyprus in that country.

Application procedure

The booking of date of submission of application can be made either by the applicant or his/her lawyer for the submission of the Yellow Slip application. Due to workload of the District Unit where the application is to be made, we suggest for the booking to take place at least one (1) month before the submission date.

The physical presence of the applicants is required in order for the Civil Registry and Migration Department to receive their biometric features (fingerprints and photographs) as well as their signatures prior to the submission of the temporary residence applications.

Although the application cannot be submitted through the use of a power of attorney or their lawyer alone on the basis of an authorisation, their lawyer can attend the meeting to submit the application.

Application fees (payable to Cyprus Government)

The fees for each application (whether first-time or renewal) are €20 for each family member.

Application submission location

The application for the Yellow Slip Residence Permit must be submitted at the District Unit of the city where they will be living in Cyprus.

Each application is then received and examined by the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.

Please find below the address of each District Unit of the Aliens & Immigration Service:

Nicosia – Arch. Makariou Avenue, 90, 1077, Nicosia, Cyprus

Limassol – Franglinou Rousvelt 223, Zakaki, Building “D. Nikolaou”, 2^nd floor, 3046, Limassol, Cyprus

Larnaka – Piale Piasha 75, 6027, Larnaca, Cyprus

Pafos – Eleftheriou Venizelou & Kaningos 22, 2^nd floor, 8021, Pafos, Cyprus

Famagusta – Giorki Papadopoulou 31, Paralimni, Cyprus

Renewal of Yellow Slip in Cyprus

European citizens that are holders of a Yellow Slip residence permit do not need to renew their Yellow Slip since it does not expire.

Non-European family members will need to provide all documentation and certificates in the same manner that they were provided with the first application.

Our legal services:

Paris Mavronichis & Co LLC can assist you in every step of the procedure:

1. Book the meeting at the District Immigration Unit;
2. Advise as to the procedure, documentation needed and how it needs to be certified;
3. Assistance with the opening bank accounts at local Cyprus banks;
4. Fill out the Yellow Slip application form;
5. Submit the Yellow Slip application form and necessary documentation at the District Immigration Unit and accompany you there;
6. Follow up the application process;
7. Receive and deliver you the Yellow Slip Residence Permit Certificates.

Please feel free to contact us for a free consultation if you have any question and to discuss how we can be of assistance to you.

DISCLAIMER:

PARIS MAVRONICHIS & CO LLC accept no duty of care or liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in this publication.

The material contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice nor is it a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an advocate.  Each situation is unique, and you should not act or rely on any information contained herein without seeking the advice of an experienced advocate. PARIS MAVRONICHIS & CO LLC will be glad to assist you in this respect.