Category F Visa Application

M

@phildraper My Geordie accent might give me away

@MacGeorge8035

Thats crazy!

I think Brexit has everyone fooled

Nothing ever in the media about the negative  impact it has had on certain things.

It has had a  stressful impact on living here.

You wait 10 /11 months for a card then hey 2 months later here we go again.

Not sure if we were in the North it would be easier?

I took early retirement to relax and enjoy ( where possible) the later years away from the UK mindset!

@MacGeorge8035

Yep oh how the chick chicks come home to roost

@Toon

@kevinlewis2323

To be honest I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth considering Cyprus as a retirement place. It's  just a minefield of red tape

With regards to all these immigration issues

Does anyone know or heard of people being forced to leave Cyprus because they fall short of certain criteria?

@kevinlewis2323

The "north" has its own issues 100%>>> citizenship is not possible, residency renewals every two years, property issues, power cuts regularly, fuel supplies sporadic, currency volatility,  travel to and from may be problematic or erratic due to flight availability, renting far outstrips buying and as such rentals are very difficult to find, the banking side of things for property purchases can be problematic too, variety of consumer goods is limited, public transport not great, .. however none of that stops us visiting for short breaks but we both know and accept that it's not for us and we couldnt live there. We did consider buying a holiday home there but we couldn't take our cat on those breaks either ..well we could take him but it would be difficult and expensive to bring him back to the South.

On balance the negatives don't outweigh the positives so everyone must make their own choices.... We admit that we do enjoy the breaks from the south.... we Just never mention it to our Greek Cypriot friends...

The south side is complicated and expensive for Brits now and even more so if you need to work  and I guess  that in itself may well put many Brits off and into moving elsewhere like Spain Greece or Portugal ....

@kevinlewis2323

I can't say that I have heard of anyone but having said that the plethora of immigration criteria changes may well have done so. What I do think is that the fresh changes during the current and preceding year(s) should not be imposed on renewals.

@kevinlewis2323 I must admit i have only heard of people having too leave because of inability to meet the criteria for temporary residency from my solicitor.  On a more important point when I renewed 4 weeks ago, I did not need to conform to the new criteria that came out in Jan 2023. it was all done based on the old criteria.

@timhuntington thats temp res not cat f 👍

@phildraper no youre thinking of fast track 👍

Every lawyer/agent get told somethIng different each time they visit immIgration. no one seems to know anything. a change is definitely on the cards as the current  figures are from the 80’s. But while theyre on the Gov website theyre valid. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@MacGeorge8035

Sadly I only discovered this category 'F' visa debacle yesterday.

We own a property near Polis and intended to retire there. I made an enquiry with our Lawyer, Penelope at Mantis Law (highly recommended) and she dropped the same bomb on me. We would easily have qualified for the F visa, but the temporary visa may be a hurdle too high. If you Google the F visa option there is still loads of web sites out there proposing it as an option, but as you found out, nothing has been processed since 2018.

What happens to visa applicants that are in limbo after paying for a visa to processed, can they stay in Cyprus?

Just wondered...

I'd say as long as you can prove the application is in and you have not had  it declined then you are good to continue living here but most likely to require a visitor visa until it is passed and the permit issued

CAT F - must visit cyprus in a two year period but if wanting to stay a temporary one year visa is required

Category F Residence: Navigating the Requirements in Cyprus

This category is a popular option among individuals looking to settle in Cyorus

The Category F Residence permit is an ideal choice for retirees, self-employed individuals, and financially independent people who are seeking to make Cyprus their new home. I’s critical to grasp the specifics of this category before considering a move.

Understanding the Category F Residence Permit in Cyprus

The Category F Residence Permit is essentially a type of immigration status that non-EU citizens can apply for in Cyprus. This permit allows the holder to legally live in Cyprus without any employment rights. It’s intended for individuals who possess a steady income from abroad, such as pensions or dividends.

Statistics indicate a significant rise in Category F Residence permit applications in recent years, reflecting Cyprus’ growing attractiveness as a destination for expatriates. The rise can be attributed to a variety of reasons, from the country’s favorable climate to its strategic location and robust financial system.

It’s essential to note that the Category F Residence Permit isn’t suitable for everyone. The details matter significantly. For instance, the law stipulates that the applicant must not engage in any professional activity in Cyprus that affects the local job market.

For your convenience, here’s a table summarizing key facts about Category F Residence Permit:

Fact    Description

Duration    Lifetime

Renewal    Not Required

Employment Rights    No

Financial Requirement    Steady income from abroad

Property Requirement    Purchase or Rent

Eligibility Criteria for Category F Residence in Cyprus

Delving into the eligibility criteria for the Category F Residence, Cyprus law outlines several key requirements that applicants must meet.

Firstly, the applicant must demonstrate a steady income from abroad, sufficient to support themselves and any dependents without needing to work in Cyprus.

Income sources can include pensions, dividends from shares, rents, or any other income from overseas. The exact amount isn’t specified by law. However, in practice, the immigration department expects the applicant to show an annual income of at least €9,568.17 for a single applicant and €4,613.22 for every dependent person.

Health insurance coverage is also a mandatory requirement for Category F Residence applicants. The coverage should include all risks typically covered for Cypriot citizens. Moreover, the applicant must have a clean criminal record and be free from any charges related to money laundering.

Income Requirements Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of the income requirements for Category F Residence permit:

Applicant    Required Annual Income

Single Applicant    €9,568.17

Every Dependent Person    €4,613.22

Application Process for Category F Residence

Applying for Category F Residence in Cyprus might seem daunting, but it can be quite manageable if you understand the process. The first step is to gather all necessary documents. These include a valid passport, proof of income, health insurance policy, and a clean criminal record certificate, among other things.

Once the documents are in order, you must submit the application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department either in person or through a legal representative. It’s essential to ensure your application is complete as missing or incorrect information can lead to delays or even rejections.

After submission, expect a waiting period for the authorities to process your application. During this time, you can reside in Cyprus under a visitor’s visa. Remember that while you’re allowed to purchase property in Cyprus during this time, you’re not permitted to work.

Processing times vary, but typically it may take up to a year. (But bear in mind it's been noted that very few If any have been issued since 2018). Once approved, the immigration permit is valid for life, and no renewals are necessary. Importantly, after seven years of residing in Cyprus, Category F residence permit holders can apply for long-term EU residence.

Application Process at a Glance

Here’s a snapshot of the application process for Category F Residence permit:

Document Gathering    Valid passport, proof of income, health insurance, clean criminal record certificate, etc.

Submission    Submit the application in person or through a legal representative to the Civil Registry and Migration Department

Processing Time    Can take up to a year.. more likely much longer

Validity    Lifetime

Long-term EU Residence    Eligible after seven years of residing in Cyprus

Rights and Obligations of Category F Residence Holders

Holding a Category F Residence permit in Cyprus comes with specific rights and obligations. As a holder, you’re allowed to live in Cyprus without any limit on your stay. You’re also permitted to own a business, provided you’re not involved in its daily operations or management.

However, remember that Category F Residence permit holders are not permitted to engage in any professional activity in Cyprus that impacts the local job market. You’re expected to uphold all laws and regulations, just like any other resident in the country.

One crucial point to note is that if you live outside of Cyprus for a continuous period of two years, you risk losing your Category F Residence status.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

One common pitfall applicants often stumble upon is the misinterpretation of the income requirement. It’s important to note that your income must come from abroad and be stable. It’s advisable to have evidence of regular bank deposits over several months.

Another mistake is assuming that owning property in Cyprus automatically qualifies you for a Category F Residence permit. While property ownership is an advantage, it doesn’t guarantee approval.

To avoid these and other pitfalls, I recommend getting advice from a trusted professional in Cyprus. They can guide you through the intricacies of the process, helping you avoid costly mistakes and maximize your chances of success.

Avoiding Pitfalls: Tips for Success

Pitfall    How to Avoid

Misinterpretation of income requirement    Ensure your income comes from abroad and is stable, with evidence of regular bank deposits

Assuming property ownership guarantees approval    Remember property ownership is an advantage but doesn’t guarantee approval. Seek professional advice

How Category F Residence Could Benefit from Cyprus Double Taxation Treaties

Cyprus has double taxation treaties with more than 60 countries, including the UK, Australia, South Africa, Russia, and Ukraine. This means residents who obtain income from any of these countries could potentially benefit from reduced tax rates.

As a Category F Residence permit holder, if your income originates from a country that Cyprus has a double taxation treaty with, you may not be subject to tax in two countries. This can be a significant advantage for pensioners or those receiving rental income from properties abroad.

However, tax matters can be complex and vary based on individual circumstances. For accurate information, I strongly recommend consulting a tax professional or accountant who is well-versed with Cyprus tax laws and double taxation agreements.

Cyprus Double Taxation Treaties: An Overview

Double taxation treaties play a crucial role in international tax law. They prevent the same income from being taxed twice – once in the country where it is sourced and then again where the income beneficiary resides.

Cyprus, over the years, has established a comprehensive network of such treaties with more than 60 countries. These treaties can potentially offer substantial tax benefits to Category F Residence permit holders, depending on the specifics of their income source.

For instance, these agreements can significantly benefit pensioners, who may only need to pay tax on their pension in their country of residence – Cyprus – rather than in the country paying the pension. This can often lead to a lower overall tax burden due to Cyprus’s favorable tax regime.

For a more in-depth understanding of these double taxation treaties, I would recommend visiting Cyprus’s Ministry of Finance page on the topic. However, for personalized advice tailored to your circumstances, I would encourage consulting a finance and tax planning professional

Maintaining Your Category F Residence Permit: Staying Compliant

Retaining your Category F Residence permit involves compliance with certain obligations. One crucial requirement is that you must not be absent from Cyprus for two continuous years. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the cancellation of your residence permit.

Additionally, it’s critical to maintain your health insurance coverage and continue demonstrating a stable income from abroad. Periodic checks might occur to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Its always a good idea to stay informed about changes in immigration laws and rules can go a long way in ensuring compliance. As they say, knowledge is power.

The Role of Property Ownership in Category F Residence Permit

Owning property in Cyprus can certainly influence your Category F Residence permit application. While property ownership isn’t a mandatory requirement, it can enhance the credibility of your application. This is because it signifies a stronger connection and commitment to Cyprus, which authorities view positively.

Yes - what our lawyer told us above, applied for temp visa with annual renewal and a week later had appointment in Nicosia for Cat F.

No Cat F processed since 2019 as our friends are still waiting along with many others until any changes on implementation by authorities and then obviously processing the backlog of applications with information that could be  five years out of date

It's a pain for sure ...so what do you perceive to be the advantage of going down the cat F route...

From what I can see and have read there doesn't seem to be any...

Pink slip route .. renewal each year for five years and then apply for permanent and get a 10yr permit... I think it is.... Seems to be the way to go as they both restrict working but the downside is the financials.... My deep suspicion is that they only want high net worth individuals residing here . . All by design to get money into the economy ...or somebody's pockets

Based on lack of permits being issued since 2018/19  and still having to get a visitors visa each year to stay within the rules with no guarantee that the cat F permit will be issued anytime soon, seems to be a serious flaw...

Luckily my MEU3 permanent residency  has no expiry date and as there being no need to replace it for a biometric card with an expiry date (currently) ....I am not inclined to change it, but I understand and accept that that can change at anytime as I suspect they will enforce restrictions on those that don t have the biometric cards by way of making certain administrative mechanism available only to those who have them.... And make life for those permanent residents without biometric cards who travel more difficult at customs and passport controls... On the downside of the biometric card ..their issue to applicants is also flawed by delays and as new arrivals can't do much without physically having it is a big and frustrating problem

Cat F was advertised as the way to go if purchasing a property under the €350k - they get your money for Cat F and then you pay each year for temporary permit - with the added uncertainty of rules changing and income levels being raised - I am aware of people who had their permit not renewed/reviewed due to being unable to meet the new criteria

I understood that the MEUs all had to be exchanged by 2026 for all U.K. citizens to the MUKW3 to align with national passports

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1630542 … 822175139/

I came here in 2014 under Cat F which was then the self sufficiency rules and MEU1 all has been fine .. changed to MEU3 in 2019... no expiry date .....on either....

I have it in writing from the immigration dept that i can change to biometric if I  so wish .. and they also confirmed they cannot  take it away from me as it's still a 100% legal residency document.

But as I said above things may change in terms of needing a biometric card for accessing certain future services....

👍

Just started my 2nd year renewal. My immigration lawyer has said 15k in Cypriot bank plus last 6 months statements showing 2400 in each month. My immigration appointment is the 20th March 2024. I will update you all on anything happening.

@phildraper

Good luck .. altho it should be plain sailing

@MacGeorge8035  Several attorneys have told me not a single type F permanent residency has been issued since 2019.  But other lawyers keep saying that the program is "delayed".  Any thinking person can easily see if the government has not issued even one type F application in almost 6 years the program is stopped.

So I have given up on that.  Instead if you can pass the A2 level language test you can get long-term residency based upon the 5 year rule, which is a rule which applied to the entire EU. 

Long-term residency is basically the same as permanent residency.  I can see no difference.  This will save you from having to get an annual visa, plus then you can get GESY.

LONG TERM RESIDENCY PERMIT AND THE RIGHT TO LEGALLY WORK IN CYPRUS EXPLAINED

Council Directive 2003/109/EC concerns the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents. Pursuant to such, the integration of third country nationals who are long-term residents in an EU State is essential in promoting economic and social cohesion in the EU. A third country national, who has legally resided in an EU State is eligible to be granted a set of uniform rights, almost identical to those enjoyed by EU citizens.

Cyprus has adopted this directive thus giving the right to third country nationals that comply with the conditions seen below to upgrade their PR status into the long term residence status which will allow them to enjoy similar rights as EU citizens including being able to legally work in the Republic.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The Civil Registry and Migration department can grant long-term resident permits to third-country nationals  (including family members of European Union citizens that are not covered by the Right of Union Citizens and their Family Members to Move and Reside Freely within the Territory of the Republic Law No. 7(I)/2007) who have resided legally and continuously within its territory for the five years preceding the submission of the application.  Periods of absence from Cypriot  territory shall not be considered to interrupt the five year period provided :

The applicant has not spent more than 10 cumulative months out of the Republic of Cyprus during the aforementioned five year period

The applicant has not spent more than 6 continuous months out of the Republic of Cyprus during the aforementioned five year period

CONDITIONS FOR APPLYING

To submit the application, the third-country national has to provide evidence as follows:

stable and regular resources which are sufficient to maintain himself/herself and the members of his/her family, without recourse to the social assistance system

sickness insurance

a certificate of knowledge of the Greek language ( Level A2)

The application is submitted with the Civil Registry and Migration department and the examination period is currently set at six months. Once approved, the applicant will obtain a Biometric Card which will verify his/hers Long Term Residency status. The said permit will be valid for a period of five years and an application for the renewal of such can be submitted with the Civil Registry and Migration department three months before its expiry date.

Once approved, the long term residency permit holder shall enjoy equal treatment rights as any other EU citizen and will be eligible to enjoy the following benefits :

access to employment and self-employed activity;

education and vocational training, including study grants in accordance with the Cypriot law;

recognition of professional diplomas, certificates and other qualifications, in accordance with the relevant procedures set out by the Cypriot Government ;

social security, social assistance and social protection as defined by Cypriot law;

tax benefits;

access to goods and services and the supply of goods and services made available to the public and to procedures for obtaining housing;

freedom of association and affiliation and membership of an organisation representing workers or employers or of any organisation whose members are engaged in a specific occupation, including the benefits conferred by such organisations, without prejudice to the national provisions on public policy and public security;

free access to the entire territory of the Republic of Cyprus, within the limits provided for by the national legislation for reasons of security

A long-term resident may exercise the right of residence, for a period exceeding three months, in any other EU Member State other than Cyprus, subject to them complying with certain conditions and requirements imposed by that specific EU Member state including but not limited to :

Exercise of an economic activity in an employed or self-employed capacity;

Pursuit of studies or vocational training;

other purposes.

If you are interested in learning about the benefits of relocating to Cyprus, read our linked article.

WITHDRAWAL OR LOSS OF STATUS

Long-term residents shall no longer be entitled to maintain long-term resident status in the following cases:

The Long Term residency holder is absent from the EU territory for twelve consecutive months

The Long Term residency holder obtains the Long Term resident status in another EU Member State.

The Long Term residency holder is absent from the Republic of Cyprus for six consecutive years

Conclusively, a Residence Permit does not simply bestow you with the right to live in Cyprus but can lead to enhanced rights and benefits

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and does not constitute legal advice.

Source

https://www.demetriadeslaw.com/long-ter … explained/

Could someone maybe post a description/assessment of how difficult learning Greek to A2 level is likely to be for an adult?

Thanks,

Jim

Am trying to learn greek via duo lingo and it's challenging for sure. It's highly repetitive but it is good in the way it trains.. it may not be the answer for me but i do think it's worth a go as it gives an insight into the way words and sentences are structured and formed within a given context.

Some friends of mine are learning greek via an online trainer and they say it's easier but they reckon it will take them two years to get to the level they need for citizenship which I believe is the minimum time it will take to get through the citizenship process

Thanks Toon - appreciate it.

Jim

I can speak Greek to a reasonable standard - enough to get by in everyday life. I make a few mistakes but I find Cypriots appreciate the effort and will correct me where I go wrong.

To get to this standard I have had classroom lessons and employed a private tutor for a short period of time.

Not sure if I’m at a standard to pass an A2 or a B1 test. I believe there are some example questions on the internet. I might have a go….😀

@lee a kada

Good luck and well done for trying