🇨🇾Cyprus Visa for Qatari Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Cyprus Long-Stay Visa (Category D)

National long-stay entry visa allowing a foreign national to enter and remain in Cyprus for longer than 90 days; the entry vehicle used before registering for a temporary residence permit (work, study, family, research, etc.).

Per the Cyprus MFA 'Types of Visa' page, the Category D national visa entitles the holder to stay in the Republic of Cyprus for a period of up to one year. It is issued by Cyprus consular authorities abroad and is the long-stay counterpart to the Category C short-stay visa - typically the first step for third-country nationals who will then register for a temporary residence permit. Cyprus is not part of the Schengen Area, so this visa is valid for the Republic of Cyprus only.

Cyprus Temporary Residence and Employment Permit (Single Permit – GEN)

Permits third-country nationals to reside and work in Cyprus under an employer-sponsored arrangement. Covers standard remunerated employment across sectors, including technical and hospitality workers, farming/agricultural workers, athletes/coaches, fishermen, priests, and specialised cooks.

Officially the 'Remunerated employment (single permit – GEN)'. The third-country national must obtain an entry permit before travelling; the employer submits the application to the Migration Department in Nicosia and, for most jobs, must first secure a sealed employment contract from the Department of Labour (labour-market test). Fees: EUR 120 for entry + temporary residence and work permit (valid 1-3 years), EUR 130 for renewal, plus EUR 70 first-time registration in the Aliens Register. Applications examined within about 4 months. Permit issued for up to 3 consecutive years; the general maximum stay for employment is 4 years, with no maximum for athletes/coaches, farming/agricultural workers, expatriates, and specialised cooks. Highly qualified staff of Companies of Foreign Interests may instead use the BFU fast-track scheme (listed separately).

Cyprus Domestic Worker Permit (DW)

Employer-sponsored temporary residence and work permit allowing a third-country national to be employed as a private-household domestic worker in Cyprus.

The employer must meet minimum gross annual income thresholds (from EUR 24,000 for a single person, rising with dependents), provide private accommodation, and pay a minimum gross salary of EUR 460/month (less social-insurance/GeSY contributions and, for live-in workers, up to 15% for food and 10% for accommodation). The entry-permit application is filed by the employer. Applications examined within about 4 months; permit issued for up to 3 consecutive years with no maximum overall duration of stay. Nationals of Myanmar and Ethiopia are not admitted as domestic workers. A worker may change employer at most twice (three employers total), subject to conditions.

EU Blue Card Cyprus

Permits highly skilled third-country nationals to work in Cyprus in eligible high-skill sectors (ICT, pharmaceuticals for research, and shipping excluding captains and crew), with EU-wide intra-EU mobility rights.

Launched July 7, 2025. Minimum gross annual salary EUR 43,632. Eligible sectors per Ministerial Decree: ICT, pharmaceuticals (research only), and shipping (excluding ship captains and crew). No quota. Requires third-level education qualification or equivalent professional experience plus a valid work contract. Provides EU-wide intra-EU mobility rights (excluding Denmark and Ireland). Family reunification permits equal in duration to Blue Card. Application form MBCEU1 available on the Migration Department website.

Business Facilitation Unit (BFU) Fast-Track Highly Qualified Employees Scheme

Permits highly skilled third-country nationals to work in Cyprus companies registered with the Business Facilitation Unit (Companies of Foreign Interests) without a labour market test, with reduced processing times.

Valid until December 31, 2026. Companies registered with the BFU (Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry) can employ any number of highly skilled third-country nationals without undergoing a labour market test. Applications processed by the Civil Registry and Migration Department within one month. Companies must be registered with the BFU and meet eligibility criteria (Companies of Foreign Interests or related qualifying entities).

Cyprus Student Visa and Temporary Residence Permit

Permits third-country nationals to enter and reside in Cyprus to pursue a full-time course of study leading to a recognized higher-education qualification at a registered Cyprus educational institution.

Governed by EU Directive 2016/801 (Law 7(I)/2019). The education institution submits the entry-permit application; the applicant needs an acceptance letter, proof of sufficient funds, and health insurance. Fees: EUR 70 for entry + residence permit (EUR 140 including ARC). Entry-permit applications examined within 1 month, residence-permit applications within 3 months. Permit valid up to 1 year, renewed yearly until studies are completed. Students may work in approved sectors up to 20 hours/week during term and up to 38 hours/week during class breaks. Master's-level (EQF level 7) or higher graduates may stay up to 12 months after studies to seek work or start a business.

Cyprus Researcher Residence Permit

Permits third-country national researchers holding a doctoral or equivalent higher-education qualification to enter and reside in Cyprus for more than 90 days to carry out research at an approved research organisation under a hosting agreement.

Governed by EU Directive 2016/801 (Law 7(I)/2019). The research organisation must be approved by the Research and Innovation Foundation and sign a hosting agreement with the researcher; the organisation submits the entry-permit application. Fees: EUR 70 for entry + residence permit (EUR 140 including ARC). Entry-permit applications examined within 1 month, residence-permit applications within 3 months. Permit valid at least 1 year (or the duration of the hosting agreement), or at least 2 years under Union/multilateral mobility programmes. Researchers may also teach up to 6 hours/week, enjoy equal treatment on pay and working conditions, benefit from intra-EU mobility, and may stay up to 12 months after completing research to seek employment or set up a business. Family members qualify for family reunification without the standard prior-residence requirement.

Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme

Permits third-country nationals who work remotely using telecommunications technology for employers or clients located entirely outside Cyprus to reside in Cyprus for up to 3 years.

Open to non-EU/EEA nationals only. Minimum monthly net income EUR 3,500 (after taxes and contributions); increased by 20% for a spouse/partner and 15% per dependent child. Residence initially granted for 1 year, renewable for up to 2 further years (3 years total). Maximum 500 permits total across all holders. Family members may reside but cannot work or conduct economic activity in Cyprus. Applicant must enter Cyprus on a valid entry visa (national Type C), then apply for the Digital Nomad temporary residence permit within 3 months of arrival at the Migration Department in Nicosia.

Cyprus Investor Immigration Permit (Regulation 6(2) – Permanent Residence by Investment)

Grants permanent residence in Cyprus to third-country nationals who make a qualifying investment of at least EUR 300,000 in Cyprus real estate, business share capital, or collective investment funds.

4th Revision criteria in force from May 2, 2023. Four qualifying investment categories each requiring EUR 300,000 (plus VAT where applicable): (A) new residential property (first sale from developer), (B) non-residential or resale real estate, (C) share capital of a Cyprus-registered company employing at least 5 people, (D) units in a licensed Cyprus collective investment scheme (AIF/AIFLNP/RAIF). Applicant must demonstrate a secured annual income of at least EUR 50,000 from abroad (plus EUR 15,000 per dependent spouse, EUR 10,000 per minor child). Application fee EUR 500 plus EUR 70 per person for ARC. The permit is of unlimited validity; the residence card is issued for 10 years and renewed on expiry. Annual monitoring of investment maintenance required; criminal record certificate every 3 years. Permit lapses if holder fails to enter Cyprus within 1 year of approval or is absent for 2 years.

Cyprus Immigration Permit for Category F Retirees

Grants immigration permits to retired non-EU/EEA nationals who wish to reside permanently in Cyprus without engaging in any employment or business activity, based on demonstrated passive income from abroad.

'Category F' immigration permit under Regulation 5 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations. Applicant must have a secured annual income from abroad of at least EUR 9,568 for the applicant plus at least EUR 4,613 for each dependent (pensions, dividends, deposit interest, rents, etc.) and must not engage in any business, trade or profession in Cyprus. Application fee EUR 500 for all persons on the application, plus EUR 70 per person for an Aliens Registration Certificate. The residence right is of unlimited validity (the residence card is issued for 10 years and renewed on expiry). The permit lapses if the holder fails to take up residence within 1 year of approval or is absent from Cyprus for 2 years. Granted by the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection on the recommendation of the Immigration Control Committee.

Cyprus Family Reunification Permit

Permits third-country nationals who are family members of a legally resident third-country national (the sponsor) in Cyprus to join and reside with the sponsor.

Governed by Council Directive 2003/86/EC, transposed into Cyprus law. Eligible members: the spouse (at least 21 years old, with the marriage contracted at least 1 year before the application) and minor unmarried children under 18. The sponsor must generally have resided legally in Cyprus for at least 2 years, hold a residence permit valid for at least 1 year, and have a reasonable prospect of permanent residence (these conditions are waived for researchers and intra-corporate transferees, who may apply concurrently). Fee EUR 200 for entry + residence permit, plus EUR 70 first-time registration. Applications examined within 9 months (90 days for researchers/intra-corporate transferees). The first permit is valid 1 year, renewable but not beyond the sponsor's permit.

Visa Waiver for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders

Exempts holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports of designated countries from the visa requirement for entry to Cyprus, in accordance with bilateral agreements or Cyprus MFA policy.

Diplomatic passport holders of all countries with which Cyprus maintains diplomatic relations are generally exempt from visa requirements. Bilateral agreements cover diplomatic and official passports of over 30 countries including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, Seychelles, Syria, Ukraine, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and others. Holders of UN laissez-passer and Council of Europe laissez-passer are also exempt. Subject to Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Cyprus Fast-Track Naturalisation for Highly Skilled Employees

Provides an accelerated naturalisation pathway for highly skilled foreign employees of Companies of Foreign Interests registered with the BFU, with reduced residency requirements and expedited processing.

Amendments to the Civil Registry Law gazetted December 19, 2023, reduced the standard 7-year residency requirement to 3-4 years for highly skilled workers of BFU-registered companies. Fast-track naturalisation processing maximum of 8 months with a EUR 5,000 application fee. This is a naturalisation pathway (citizenship), not a visa or residence permit in itself, but is the end-stage of the immigration pathway for this category. Access via the Civil Registry and Migration Department.