Digital Nomad Visa Scheme – Cyprus

With its Decision of October 15, 2021, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus approved the introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa Scheme in Cyprus.  

The Digital Nomad Visa Scheme of Cyprus is a new type of temporary residence permit, that allows nationals from non-EU and non-EEA countries who can perform their work location-independently to live temporarily in Cyprus with their families while working remotely for an employer registered abroad (in case of an employee) or perform work for companies or clients located abroad (in case of a self-employed individual). The performance of work must be done through telecommunications technology.

The “Digital Nomad Visa Scheme” is part of the Council of Ministers’ new strategy for attracting businesses and talent from abroad, with a ceiling of 500 residence permits to be issued.

Who can benefit – Non-EU or non-EEA nationals who:

• Can perform work remotely through telecommunications technology;
• Are employed in a company registered abroad, for which they can work location-independently, or are self-employed offering services remotely for clients located abroad;
• Can prove that they have stable and sufficient monthly net income of at least €3500 (after the deduction of contributions and taxes).

What are the benefits

Individuals that are granted with a Digital Nomad residence permit will benefit from the following:

• Right of residence for one (1) year in Cyprus, with a possibility of renewal for further two (2) years.
• Right of residence for family members, for the same period as the Digital Nomad, without the right to be employed of perform economic activity in Cyprus.
• If they reside in the Republic for one of more periods that in total exceed 183 days within the same tax year, then they are considered tax residents of Cyprus, provided they are not tax residents in any other country.

Family members

• Digital Nomad’s family members can reside in Cyprus for the same period as the Digital Nomad, without the right to be employed of perform any economic activity in Cyprus.
• Family members include the spouse/ partner in a civil union and underaged children.
• Family members also need to obtain a temporary residence permit following the procedure below.

Procedure

• Within three (3) months of arrival, the applicant should submit the relevant application along with the required documents, as stated in the relevant document lists, at the Offices of the Department in Nicosia, after arranging an appointment through the online platform, to obtain a temporary residence permit. All documents accompanying application forms should be officially translated and duly certified/ ratified.
• In case the applicant legally resides in Cyprus under a different status, he/she has the right to submit the relevant application to be granted a temporary residence permit as a Digital Nomad, at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.
• Applications can be submitted personally or through an authorised representative.
• Applications that are not accompanied by all the required documents will not be accepted for consideration.
• Any change in the applicant’s data during the examination of the application should be notified immediately to the Department.
• For the application submission, the amount for applicable fees shall be paid as stated below.
• For the issuance of the temporary residence permit the capturing of biometric data (photo and fingerprints) and signature of the third country national is necessary, which is done with the presentation of the application submission receipt and a valid travel document. The biometric data can be captured at the same time or after the application submission, at the offices of the Department in Nicosia or at the district unit of the Aliens and Immigration Service of the Police of the district of residence of the third country national. From persons who have not reached the age of six years at the time of submitting the application only the photo is captured. This data is also captured for the renewal of the temporary residence permit.
• Applications for renewal should be submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia along with the necessary accompanying documents, at least one (1) month before the temporary residence permit’s expiration date. For the application submission, the amount for applicable fees shall be paid as stated below.
• In case the application is approved, the applicant will receive a letter notifying them on how to receive their temporary residence permit.
• In case the application is rejected, the applicant will receive a letter informing them for the rejection reasons.

Cyprus government fees

• Governmental fee for submission of application: €70 per family member.
• Alien registration certificate: €70 per family member (payable only the first time of application).

Examination time

• The time of examination is between 5 – 7 weeks. 
• Once applied the applicant is allowed to stay until the residence permit is issued.

Duration of temporary residence permit 

• A first temporary residence permit is issued with a validity of one (1) year.
• In case of renewal, the temporary residence permit is issued with a validity of maximum two (2) years.

Our Legal Services

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

1. Book the meeting at the Immigration Unit for the submission of documents
2. Advise as to the procedure, documentation needed and how it needs to be certified
3. Fill out the application form
4. Submit the application form and necessary documentation at the Immigration Unit, and attend the meeting with you
5. Follow up the application process
6. Receive and deliver you the Cyprus Residence Permit Cards.

For further information please feel free to contact our Immigration and Relocation Department at:
E: info@mavronichis.com
T: +35722030555

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.