The Civil Registry and Migration Department announced that from Monday 19/11/2007 it has began to accept applications for acquisition of long term residence status (green card). The relevant forms (MLT1) and the necessary documents must be deposited at the central offices of the Department in Nicosia (Demosthenes Severis Av., opposite of the Ministry of Interior). Before the filing of each application the applicant must contact the Department by phone (22804400) to arrange a meeting.

Who Are Eligible.

Application for acquisition of long term residence status can be submitted by nationals of third countries (including family members of European Union nationals that do not fulfill the requirements of the “Right of Citizens of Union and Members of their Families To Move and To Reside Freely in the Territory of the Republic of Law” No 7 (I)/2007) who reside in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus legally and continually during the last five years before the submission of the application and possess a valid resident’s permit. The applications must be submitted in person by the applicants, which can be accompanied, if they wish, by their lawyer or employer.

It is noted that such applications cannot be submitted from recognized political refugees, persons with additional protection, asylum applicants and students.

Documentation Required.

The applications should be accompanied with the following official supporting documents:

1. Valid passport or other traveling document covering at least the 2 year period preceding the application and copies of the above documents, certified by a certifying officer. The pages that show the arrivals and departures in Cyprus should be included.
2. Valid resident’s permit
3. Valid contract of employment of at least eighteen (18) months duration or unlimited duration. In the case of a self-employed person, a statement of self-employment that would describe the type of work and income statement accompanied with a certificate of registration in the Social Security as self-employed.
4. Certificates of any academic and professional qualifications and previous experience, including any professional licenses.
5. Tax statements of the last five years and certificate of settlement of any tax obligations or certification from the Department of Internal Revenues that there is no obligation of tax payment.
6. Statement of contributions in the Social Security Fund of the last five years, in the cases where the payment of contributions in the Fund in question is obligatory, according to the provisions of the “ Social Security Law”, or certification from the Department of Social Security that there is no obligation for payment.
7. VAT statements of the last five years and certificate of settlement of any tax obligations in the cases where the applicant, according to the VAT Law is liable to pay VAT.
8. Bank deposits statement.
9. Proof of income from other sources except employment which should be accompanied by Affidavit (the relative form is available).
10. Title Deeds of any immovable property or if no title is available yet approval by the District Officer to purchase immovable property in Cyprus.
11. Medical Insurance contracts.
12. Criminal record certificate.

It is stressed that applications that are not accompanied by ALL the essential documents will not be examined. The fees for the application must be paid to the Civil Registry and Migration Department’s Cashier in cash.

The length of time that is required for the examination of such applications is calculated to be between 4 and 6 months.

After the approval of their application the interested persons shall be notified in writing and they will be called to present their passport in the Department for affixing the relative permit.

For further information contact our office at chris@lawyer.com.cy