Pink slip Cyprus: Get your temporary residence permit
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Wouldn’t it be great to stay in Cyprus more than 90 days and enjoy the sunny weather and Mediterranean culture?
If you’re visiting this page chances are you’re already aware that you need to apply for the Pink Slip (also called temporary residence permit) but are still gathering information to get a better understanding of how to go about it. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to every aspect of Pink Slip applications in Cyprus.
What is the Pink Slip in Cyprus (temporary residence permit in Cyprus)?
Let’s take a close look at what is the Pink Slip in Cyprus, the benefits of having one, its limitations and eligibility time.
Definition
Non-EU citizens aren’t allowed to stay in Cyprus for longer than 90 days by law. But applying for a Temporary Residence Permit in Cyprus is an option for them to extend their time on the Mediterranean island.
In essence, a Temporary Residence Permit or ‘Pink Slip’ is a form of a permit that allows non-EU citizen to stay in Cyprus longer than 90 days. This special document is granted for one to four years with no more than four months of absence in total from the island; one to two years of permit is granted upon initial application and once this time passes, applicants are given the option to extend it for another one to two years.
Benefits of the pink slip (Temporary Residence Permit)
Here are the benefits Pink Slip holders reap:
- Buy a property in Cyprus
- Apply for health insurance with Gesy (the national health system in Cyprus
- Buy a car in Cyprus
- Open a bank account with a Cypriot bank
- Re-enter Cyprus in case they travel abroad without needing to re-apply for a visa
- Enjoy 300 days of sun on the Mediterranean island
Restrictions of the pink slip (Temporary Residence Permit)
Let’s go over the restrictions Pink Slip holders have:
- They can’t travel outside Cyprus for longer than three successive months
- They’re not allowed to work for any Cypriot company – Pink Slip holders can only work for companies based outside of Cyprus
- The permit is initially valid for a year – anyone who wants to extend their stay, should re-apply
- Applicants will be asked to provide evidence that they receive a steady income (about €15,000-€20,000 annual income for a three-member family) and are able to cover their expenses themselves while in Cyprus.
Eligibility period of the pink slip in Cyprus (Temporary Residence Permit)
Upon first application, a permit is issued for one to two years, with the opportunity to be extended for an additional one to two years. A Pink Slip holder isn’t allowed to be away from Cyprus for longer than three consecutive months, otherwise, their temporary residence permit is going to be cancelled.
Who is eligible for the Pink Slip in Cyprus?
Let’s go through some examples of cases where the pink slip is required to stay in Cyprus
- Non-EU citizens who want to extend their time in Cyprus and stay as visitors on the island for longer than 90 days can apply for a temporary residence permit, considering that they have sufficient income to cover their expenses.
- British pensioners who have decided to move to Cyprus need to apply for a Pink Slip which is the easiest way to ensure their stay on the island of Cyprus for longer than 90 days per year.
- EU citizen married to a non-EU citizen: A non-EU passport holder married to a Cypriot or European Citizen, planning to live with their partner in Cyprus.
- Families that hold Non-EU passports planning to move to Cyprus will be asked to apply for a Pink Slip for each family member.
Who is not eligible for the pink slip
Let’s go through the groups of people for whom the pink slip doesn’t apply:
EU citizens
All citizens of the European Union who want to live and work permanently in Cyprus can obtain a yellow slip, also known as a Registration Certificate. Every EU national must apply for a yellow slip, particularly those who have already been working and living in Cyprus for three months or longer.
Tourists
Non-EU passport holders who intend to visit Cyprus for less than 90 days can do so with their tourist visa. If you fall under this category, just apply as normal for a tourist visa to travel abroad.
Workers
Non-EU citizens who want to work to Cyprus must find an employer willing to sponsor them to acquire a work permit.
Anyone who already lives in Cyprus is eligible to apply for a Temporary Residency, allowing them to stay on the Mediterranean island for up to 4 years. They can use this time to their advantage and search for an employer to sponsor them which will enable them to apply for a work permit.
Students
University students don’t need a Pink Slip; a special university VISA is required for them to move to Cyprus and study at a Cypriot university. Students wishing to study in Cyprus can contact their university to learn more about the student VISA.
Third-country nationals
The Pink Slip isn’t the document third-country nationals, including asylum seekers, should apply for. Instead, they need to apply for asylum in Cyprus in line with the Refugee Law of Cyprus. They can either apply upon arrival at Paphos and Larnaca Airport or Limassol and Larnaca seaport. For more information visit the UN Refugee Agency website.
If you aren’t an asylum seeker you can have a look at the website of the official Immigration Department of Cyprus to identify which category you belong to.
What is the application process?
Step-by-step application process
Let’s go over the application process for the Pink Slip, step-by-step.
1. Open a bank account in Cyprus
The first thing to start the process is to open a bank account in Cyprus. The documents needed may slightly differ from one bank to another but the most common documents you’ll be asked to submit with your application are:
- Your Passport
- A document from the bank you use in your home country
- A proof of address in Cyprus
- A form that states the reasons you need the account
Some of the most popular and reliable banks in Cyprus are Hellenic Bank and Bank of Cyprus.
2. Register with the Immigration Department
You can register with the Immigration Department by visiting the department in Nicosia or even the District Units in Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos by arranging an appointment via the department’s online platform.
After filling out an online form, you’ll receive an email with the time and date of your appointment. The department stays open during the week from 07:30-14:40. If, for whatever reason, you need to call them their phone number is: +35722308808/811
3. Obtaining Health Insurance in Cyprus
All non-EU citizens planning to live in Cyprus should have by law health insurance.
Insurance is needed for registering with the Immigration Authorities. Such insurances typically last up to a year but you can ask for a shorter contract. During your time in Cyprus, if you use a doctor, you’ll pay the expenses yourself and then claim the amount from your insurance company. The price of health insurances start from € 165 per year.
4. Applying for Temporary Residence Permit in Cyprus
It’s wise to be proactive and collect all the documents and fill out the forms needed for the Pink Slip as soon as possible. It takes up to 6 months for your application to be reviewed, and in the meantime, you can stay in Cyprus until the status of your application is decided.
Where can you submit your pink slip application?
Applicants should submit their application to the Immigration Unit of the City they reside; the Migration Department and Civil Registry then review the applications.
Here are the addresses of the departments in each city:
- Nicosia: Agamemnonos 6, Engomi, 2411
- Limassol: Franglinou Rousvelt 223, Zakaki, Building "D. Nikolaou", 2nd floor, 3046
- Paphos: Eleftheriou Venizelou & Kaningos 22, 2nd floor, 8021
- Larnaca: Piale Piasha 75, 6027
- Famagusta: Eleftherias 83, Tatolos Bld, Derynia Plaza, 1st floor, 5380 Derynia
How long does it take to obtain a pink slip (Temporary Residence Permit)?
It takes about 3 months to examine the application; if your application is successful, you’ll be granted the right to reside in Cyprus as a visitor for the time stated on your Residence Permit Card.
How can you check your pink slip in Cyprus?
You’ll receive an email with the status of your application (accepted or rejected). In the meantime, you can check the status of your application by emailing the department at migration@crmd.moi.gov.cy or by sending a free SMS at 1199.
What are the documents needed for the application?
Let’s go over the list of the documents required for your Pink Slip application:
- Rental agreement and a copy of it: The rental agreement must be for a minimum of one year (the agreement and its copy should be certified by the local mayor).
- Temporary residence permit form completed: The form for the Pink Slip application to reside in Cyprus as a visitor should be completed (for each family member in case there is more than one applicant).
- Bank statement: Bank statement from your bank in your home country and €15.000 transfer or deposit from overseas to your bank account in Cyprus. In case the money is in cash, it should be declared at the airport on the arrival date.
- Bank Guarantee: You’ll need one bank guarantee for each member of your family which you can obtain from your bank in Cyprus – it takes one to two days for the bank to issue it. The price of a bank guarantee varies depending on the nationality. For example, a guarantee for American and Asian countries costs around €850 while applicants from the Middle East and Eastern Europe will be asked to pay roughly €350 and €550 respectively.
- Recent payslip: You’ll need to provide an employment payslip from the past 3 months to show that you have a steady income and can sustain yourself financially while in Cyprus.
- Recent Utility Bill or Proof of Address: A document that clearly states the address of your current house.
- Copy of Valid Passport: The first page of your passport is copied where it shows your picture and the passport number.
- Your Contract of Employment (if applicable): The document you signed with your employer when you received your job offer.
- Detailed CV or Linkedin Profile (if applicable): An updated CV that shows your work experience, expertise and your current working status
You might also be asked to provide more documents such as marriage certificates or birth certificates for children depending on your situation. It’s wise to contact the Immigration Department to learn more about your case.
What are the documents needed for dependent minors?
Besides the documents discussed above, a birth certificate is needed for each of your children to be certified with the ‘Apostille’ stamp and translated into English. An alternative option to this is to have the birth certificate certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country and sent to the according embassy in Cyprus to also be certified thereafter.
What are the documents needed for independent minors?
Non-EU students who fall under this category can seek advice from their university to learn more about how to obtain a VISA for studying in Cyprus.
Shall I apply for the pink slip through a lawyer or myself?
Let’s compare these two options to help you make an informed decision.
Applying for the pink slip with the help of a lawyer
A lawyer with deep knowledge and experience in Pink slip application will be of great help. Because they have helped others to obtain their own temporary residence permit in Cyprus, they are familiar with the process, they will guide you on how to collect all the documents needed for your specific situation and your application forms will be completed without mistakes. The lawyer will also accompany you at the Immigration Department to complete the application process for you.
Hiring a lawyer is the best option for those who don’t want to face the language barrier, are too busy or even impatient to collect all the documents and do the paperwork themselves. f you want to be assured that your application at the immigration office will pass at the first trial, a lawyer can be also a good fit for you.
Apply for the pink slip on your own
It’s not obligatory to apply for a temporary residence permit through a lawyer. If you have a partner, spouse or family member who speaks Greek fluently and can help you with the application, then hiring a lawyer isn’t a necessity.
When applying without the help of a lawyer, the odds are that it will take you a bit longer to figure out the documents you need to collect but it’s a feasible task.
How much does it cost to get a pink slip?
Here’s an estimate of what a temporary residence permit application going to cost you with and without a lawyer.
If you chose to apply through the help of a lawyer, an application fee is added to the usual out-of-the-pocket costs.
The application fee costs around €395+VAT per person. This price usually goes down as the number of applicants increases – in the case of families for example. Typically, you’ll be asked to pay 50% of these fees upfront and the other 50% when the application is completed.
The out-of-pocket costs are:
- Bank Guarantee: €583 on average
- Annual Health Insurance: €165
- Application at the immigration department: €70 per person
- A single-page Document Translated and Certified (roughly 250 words): €30-€40
- A Document Certified by a local mayor: €5-€20
Without the help of a lawyer, only the above out-of-pocket expenses apply.
FAQ
Let’s go through the questions that often come up when it comes to Pink Slip applications.
You cannot unfortunately, Pink Slip holders are only allowed to live in Cyprus for longer than 90 days as visitors.
Pink Slip holders can stay in Cyprus as a visitor, but they don’t have the right to work for a company based in Cyprus whilst Yellow Slip holders are eligible to stay as well as work for a Cypriot company. The Pink Slip is well suited for non-EU citizens whilst the Yellow Slip is well suited for EU citizens.
You can either reach out to the immigration department by emailing them at migration@crmd.moi.gov.cy or texting them at 1199. You can always visit the Immigration Unit in your city and ask them about your status.