FAQs re: MEU1 & MEU3 Residency Docs reqd by UK nationals in Cyprus

MEU3 in practice September 2020 during coronavirus pandemic at Limassol immigration office

Large room separated from two smaller rooms by glass windows with small openings in them. In one smaller room there is a lady all the time "allthetimelady". In the the other smaller room the lady comes and goes "comeandgolady".

Allthetimelady gave me this list when I asked her for a list of documents needed for MEU3 application and told me to come to the office on any weekday between 8:00 and 11:00 when I have the documents. Appointment is not needed.
https://imgur.com/a/rjZccbv

When I asked her if the rental agreement really needs both tax department and mukhtar stamps she knew nothing about it.

When I went to tax department to get the stamp I was told that tax department does not do the stamps any longer.

I learned later that the greek version of the document list says that rental agreement needs either tax department stamp or mukhtar stamp, but not both as the english version says.

When you have the documents you go to the allthetimelady and she gives you a piece of plastic with a number on it. When the comeandgolady calls that number you give her the originals and copies through the opening in the glass window. She disappears and comes back a few minutes later and gives you the original documents back and says the following: "Come here on Friday, you will receive the registration downstairs. The MEU3 will be sent to you later."

The following Friday I received a paper titled "Application Form Reception Document" at the entrance door after showing my ID.

A reliable source told me that utility companies and banks will give you a statement of accounts covering the last 5 years. So 5 years of monthly, bimonthly etc statements are not necessary. This "statement of accounts" is also mentioned in "Recommended documents for Permanent Residence - MEU3.doc" on this webpage http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/crmd/crmd.nsf … enDocument

None of the copies need to be certified.

The fee is €22, not €20.

The SMS message to 8999 mentioned above did not work for me.

Has the fee gone up then....

"Had it gone up then." Please rephrase that.

As far as I am aware the fee in Paphos is still only €20 per person

€22 is what I had to pay in Limassol a week ago.

Good afternoon
I have a couple of questions regarding the income needed per month to apply for MEU1. I believe it is €480 per month per person, so €960 for us both. I am planning to use my private pension drawdown for most of this but I am not yet withdrawing anything as I am still working in the UK. I have a letter from the pension provider showing the monthly income I am entitled too, do you think this will be sufficient evidence?

The other question is if I show that I have savings in a UK or Cyprus bank do they take this into account as obviously I could withdraw an amount each month to top up the money from the pension taking the total above the €960 needed for myself and my wife.

I have a meeting with immigration in November and think I have everything needed but am unsure about the above. Any information would be very helpful

Thanks
Neil

Yes both are good they are only interested in you being able to support yourselves so bring what you can to prove it payments made to you and savings etc

Thats great thank you Toon. Are you from the toon?

I am from Gateshead.... born and bred - -

Toon wrote:

I am from Gateshead.... born and bred - -

My condolences Toon....... 

Gods country is very forgiving my  friend lol

Just for info - Paphos office interview dates are now mid February- I went in 10 minutes behind a couple who got 3rd February but by time I got in and waited for someone to come to window or was mid February.

That was Tuesday - Could be March by now

Also absolute chaos just to get a ticket to get in.

Go early pre 7am

cheers Hawkeye - - yes my friends who moved here end of November arranged via Gwenny to get their interviews sorted and were given a date mid Jan.. that was only a couple of weeks ago  - so it seems many "locals" are panicking to get in before the cut off.

any way good luck to all

I keep getting mixed messages from Gwenny’s

I emailed and asked if they could book appointment without me being there and they said no.

Then I hear they can, but I think they take your passport and send someone to do it.

So Yes and No.

They need to see you in the office and take your passport I guess.

After I went and got my appointment, I went and registered with Gwenny’s to do the actual interview.

But wish J had known they could go and book it for you - would have saved a lot of hassle.

My partner and I arrived in Larnaca 21st October. We visited the immigration on the 25th and were given a date 1 month later on Nov 25th.

We were in and out in 20 minutes via the self sufficient route.

As Toon states they were most interested in documents proving we can support ourselves financially so bank statements etc. As we are self employed we brought previous years tax returns showing earnings which sufficed.

For our rental agreement we used the Stamp Duty calculator from the Ministry website which you'll need a TIN (Tax identity number) for, and which your landlord/letting company can provide if you dont have one to calculate. Then to the post office to get stamps of that value. Ours worked out to be €6 in total. Attach them and sign over the stamps and keep the printout of the calculator with it.

We also provided a Utility Bill copy. If you're new to Cyprus like us and don't have utilities in your name yet it's fine they accept it with the landlord/letting agencies name on it, as long as the address is the same.

Health insurance we used So Easy for the €175 immigration insurance which ticks all the boxes for the immigration but we also have separate insurance plans which provide much better cover and excess etc. But the €175 immigration will do just fine for the immigration process.

Hope that helps any newbies who have recently arrived!

James

Thanks

But Paphos is just chaos and did not want to risk self service route - We don’t need a tax stamp as rent is €395 a month and local officials Murktar won’t stamp other stuff - so Gwenny’s have a form to say that the local Murktar can’t be bothered and I just signed the disclaimer

To be honest and in my opinion I dont rate Gwennys at all. Her staff give out incorrect  details requiring a further visit to clarify (WITH GWENNY HERSELF)  and further when paying €180 For a service it should be correct.

The stamp duty calculator is readily and freely available on the website but stamp duty  is not required on rental contracts total value of less than €5k

Correct, forgot to mention this in my post as ours was over.

I tried Melanie first as she got lots of votes, but she is busy so Gwenny’s was the only real other choice that people recommended

Yes - I had seen that previously - but luckily at the moment I got a deal under €400 including utilities, Wi-fi and communal fees, communal pool and with an opt out of 1 months notice after 5 months.

This suits our needs in case we are denied the right to reside.

There is a lady called Eleni Mala give her a try 99 796104

My partner has the Meu3 and is already registered on Gesy. He has just reached pensionable age and we have been told from a friend that unless he submits an S1 form he could be refused treatment on gesy. Is this true ?

For what it’s worth since the new system appears to be getting more efficient I think you will need the form S1 it’s not difficult to get and can be done over The phone  and email with the DWP

However just a thought if your partner has an meu3 you are allowed to apply and legitimately obtain GESY access without charges the same as those with an S1

Best to get it direct from the horses mouth GESY are very good in giving good sound advice and guidance rather than hearsay

Hi yes he’s already on Gesy through his Meu3 just we were told to hurry up and get the S1 as the Meu3 can only be used for gesy under pensionable age

I am not 100% sure just send a question to GESY and get it from them direct ... you know what the rumour mill is like

Yes exactly thanks I have just emailed them. To be honest I don’t think it’s true but our friend is adamant

but it’s possible as once you reach pension age  uk  would pick up the GESY healthcare bill through  a recharge of costs via the S1 mechanism.   As I’ve said many time best to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it

It’s not difficult to get

Yes he’s arranged for one today. Gesy came back to me saying


We would like to inform you that since your partner is already registered under the GHS as permanent residence there is no need to proceed with the change of the beneficiary category. Please note that if he acquires the S1 certification then he can apply to the Ministry of Health in order to receive a relevant certification that will exclude him from the obligation of paying contribution for the GHS.

Julie

Excellent well done

Hi I need help I'm in UK for almost 3 years I have a MEU1 as because of this virus not being able too go back too Cyprus and still working here I'm a British citizen but looking too move back to Nicosia can you advise me on best ways to go back I have a yellow slip but I have been out more than 6monthes can I apply here in the UK For the MEU3????

No you must attend in person although if you appoint an agent to make application with certified documents an application can be made but you must attend interview in person To apply for meu3 you must have a valid meu1. And also show 5 yrs continuous proof of living here by way of utility bills bank statements rental agreement or house purchase

If you have meu1 you might be lucky and not be stopped at passport control and be allowed to enter however as you haven’t been here for a long time then you may be required to apply again  for the new residency document

Thanks I'm new here so it would help any advice would be great I have family in Cyprus plus a Greek dad even though it's a step dad would this help plus I'm going too buy a house in Cyprus would this also help and is it hard too buy a house in Cyprus...

Thanks

Wayne

Have you tried to get Cypriot citizenship although it maybe you can’t as maybe not a blood relative. Worth a try though.

Not difficult to buy a house but as a non-EU national you are restricted to buying only one each maximum…

Thanks for all your help I was coming back with in the 6months but this covid 19 virus stopped me coming back as of the ban I'm speaking with Cyprus immigration and the embassy to find out what to do but if you got advice 9r can find out some information message me anytime if you find anything thanks again for replying I love Nicosia it's like my second home I have been traveling for many years and I was over there when I was 8years old and lived in Limassol for 5years and went too school in Cyprus as well so it should not be hard for me too me back as I have a history there plus my mum and dad lives in Cyprus as he's a Cypriot.

Getting citizenship then shouldn’t be a problem for you then that’s great news am pleased for you

Hi

I have only the brown booklet but have been in Cyprus with my own property back and forth since 2004

Can I apply directly for MEU3 or do I have to get MEU1 first?