What types of residency are available in Cyprus? What changes are outlined in the new legislation? How quickly can one obtain Cypriot citizenship? “Successful Business” discussed these topics with Anna Grigorieva, the Managing Partner of AG Advocates. She offers invaluable advice on navigating the system, emphasising the importance of demonstrating a commitment to life in Cyprus and providing practical tips for effectively monitoring the citizenship application process.

Anna, what types of residency are available for foreigners in Cyprus? Is it possible to obtain permanent residency, or does it need to be renewed annually?

In Cyprus, there are two categories of visas: those for work and those without the right to work. The latter can be conditionally divided into PR (Permanent Residency) and TR (Temporary Residency). TR needs to be renewed annually. PR, on the other hand, is valid indefinitely. However, there is one condition: one must not be absent from Cyprus for more than two years. Violating this rule results in the loss of residency.

Who can obtain PR without the right to work?

There are two possibilities. One must either purchase property in Cyprus for no less than 300,000 euros plus VAT or buy a less expensive house (or even rent it) but meet certain financial solvency criteria. The main category of people who receive this type of residence are pension-age individuals. Previously, this status, rarely granted to young families, was known as category F.

Is there still a Green Card in Cyprus?

There used to be such a visa category. It was issued to individuals working in the country under an employment contract. After 5 years, they had the opportunity to choose any employer in Cyprus without restrictions. Currently, obtaining such a permit additionally requires knowing Greek at a certain level.

What types of work visas exist?

Work visas and their acquisition process depend on the status of employer companies. There are local companies owned by citizens of Cyprus or another EU country, and international companies owned 50% or more by third-country nationals.

What are the differences? Local companies must prove that a foreign worker is irreplaceable for them. This is a complicated, costly, and labor-intensive process.

International companies do not need to justify anything. However, the visa processing for employees is still not fast. The problem lies in the high workload of the immigration service. Visits there are booked literally six months in advance. This work visa also grants the right to work only in one company, for one specific employer. New provisions for this visa were recently introduced.

Does a company owner have the right to be its employee?

Yes, of course. The owner can also be registered as staff. Interestingly, individuals who have acquired Cypriot citizenship through naturalisation are considered third-country nationals for company registration purposes.

What can you say about the amendments to the Citizenship Law passed at the end of this year? How attractive will they make Cyprus for highly qualified professionals? On what grounds is citizenship generally granted?

There are only a few options. One can become a citizen of the island by right of birth from a Cypriot, by marrying a Cypriot citizen, or by legally residing in the country for at least 7 years. The amendments to the Citizenship Law offer slight relief for highly qualified professionals, reducing the required residency period to 5 years, and in some cases even to 4 years. However, these professionals must meet criteria listed in the amendments, such as knowing Greek at a certain level.

Previously, citizenship could be obtained based on large investments in real estate or the country’s economy. Currently, this program is completely cancelled, but other projects might be developed in the future. It is too early to talk about this now.

What qualities must a candidate possess to most likely receive a positive response from the Cypriot state? What factors influence the decision-making process?

Although not explicitly mentioned in the legislation, an applicant must prove that Cyprus is the centre of their life interests. Internationally, this includes having a permanent residence in Cyprus, a family living there too, children attending Cypriot schools, and working in one of the local or international companies. Officials must have no doubt that the citizenship candidate plans to live on the island for many years, work, and contribute to the country’s economy. A variety of questions may be asked to confirm the applicant’s good intentions.

Is it true that the timelines for processing citizenship documents are unpredictable? How can one monitor this process?

There’s no need to worry in the first year after application submission. However, it’s important to stay on top of it afterwards. I recommend noting your case number and regularly checking its status, for example, every six months. If it turns out that some documents were not received, the applicant will have time to gather and submit them. This doesn’t guarantee a successful outcome, but it ensures that the document package has been submitted and is under review. In my practice, citizenship has never been granted faster than a year after submission. People often wait 2 or 3 years.

In Cyprus, almost nothing has changed in this field for the last 25 years. The system worked, is working, and will continue to work. It is quite democratic and fair compared to what happens in other European countries. The most important thing is never to violate immigration law.

Anna Grigorieva
Partner – Managing Director,
Anna Grigorieva & Co. LLC
Anna has extensive experience of corporate and commercial matters, insolvency and restructurings, international tax planning, immigration and real estate. She was a partner at a reputable law firm in Cyprus for more than 10 years prior to setting up her own law firm in 2012. Anna is a holder of the Advanced Examination by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and a Member of the Public Registry since 2020, she is also a member of the Investment Migration Council (IMC) and a full member of STEP.