Cyprus Opens Applications for Digital Nomad Visa Programme

Scheme Aims to Boost Local Business Ecosystem

The Migration Department has officially opened applications for residence permits under the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa scheme, inviting professionals from outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) to live and work remotely from Cyprus.

According to the department’s announcement, the programme “aims to attract nationals from non-European Union (EU) and non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries, allowing them to reside in Cyprus.” This opportunity is strictly available to those whose work “is carried out remotely, using technology, for companies or clients established abroad.”

The initiative is designed to position Cyprus as a "hub for electronic services," with the government stating that “combined with the country’s other advantages, attracting digital nomads will contribute to the development of the business ecosystem and, consequently, to the economic growth of the country.”

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Migration Department’s website to access the necessary forms and obtain further details regarding the application process.

What Is the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme and Who Can Apply?

The Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme was originally approved by the Council of Ministers on October 15, 2021, initially granting 100 residence permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Later, on March 3, 2022, the government expanded the programme to allow up to 500 residence permits.

The scheme targets professionals who can conduct their work remotely using information technology. Eligible applicants must be non-EU and non-EEA nationals and can fall into one of the following categories:

• Employees of foreign companies (registered outside Cyprus)

• Owners of their own company (registered abroad)

• Self-employed individuals providing services to clients located outside Cyprus

Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate proof of stable and adequate income, ensuring they have at least €3,500 per month after deductions for taxes and contributions.

What Are the Benefits of the Scheme?

Those approved under the Digital Nomad Visa Scheme will receive a temporary residence permit allowing them to reside in Cyprus for one year, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years.

Additionally, family members of digital nomads—including spouses, civil partners, and children—are also eligible to reside in Cyprus for the same period. However, they are not permitted to engage in employment or any form of economic activity while living in Cyprus under this visa.

A further advantage is that if digital nomads reside in Cyprus for at least 183 days within a tax year, they will be recognised as tax residents of Cyprus, provided they do not hold tax residency in another country.

What About the Family Members of Nomad Visa Holders?

The family members of digital nomads, including spouses, civil partners, and children under 18, can legally reside in Cyprus for the same duration as the primary applicant. However, they are required to obtain a temporary residence permit through the designated application process.

Application Process, Fees, and Processing Time

Applicants must submit their application along with all required documentation to the Migration Department’s central offices in Nicosia within three months of arriving in Cyprus. If they are already residing legally in Cyprus under a different status, they may apply for the Digital Nomad Visa at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.

Applications may be submitted personally or through an authorised representative, but incomplete applications will not be processed.

As part of the process, applicants must provide biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints, which will be collected at the Migration Department’s offices in Nicosia or at the Aliens and Immigration Office of the Cyprus Police. Children under six years old are only required to submit a photograph.

The application fees are as follows:

• €70 for the issuance or renewal of a temporary residence permit

• €70 registration fee for first-time applicants in the Aliens Registry

The processing time for applications ranges from five to seven weeks.

What Is the Duration of the Temporary Residence Permit?

The initial permit is valid for one year. Upon renewal, a new permit can be issued for a maximum of two years.

Applicants wishing to renew their residence permits must submit their renewal application at least one month before expiration, ensuring that all necessary documents are included.

Once an application is approved, the applicant will receive a notification letter detailing the process for collecting their residence permit. If an application is denied, the applicant will be issued a letter outlining the reasons for rejection. 

By fLEXI tEAM