Third-Country Family Reunification

i. The sponsor’s spouse, provided that the marriage took place at least one (1) year before the submission of the application for family reunification. The spouse must be at least 21 years of age. ii. The minor children of the sponsor and his/her spouse, including children adopted in accordance with a decision taken by a competent authority in the Republic or with a decision recognizing an adoption of another country or with a decision automatically enforceable under the international obligations of the Republic. iii. Minor children, including adopted children of the sponsor – as defined paragraph (ii) above, where the sponsor has sole custody and the children are dependent on him/ her. iv. Minor children, including adopted children of the sponsor’s spouse – as defined paragraph (ii) above, where the spouse has sole custody and the children are dependent on him/ her. The minor children referred to in points (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, must be under the age of 18 and must not be married.

They reside legally in the Republic for a period of at least two (2) years. Exceptions: – The Director of the Department has the discretion, in case the sponsor is employed by a company within the meaning of the Companies Law which is approved to employ foreign personnel, not to require a previous residence of at least two (2) years from the sponsor.

They are holders of residence permits valid for at least one (1) year.

They have a reasonable prospect of acquiring the right of permanent residence in the Republic.

– This condition excludes sponsors who hold an intra-corporate transfer permit or a long-term mobility permit in the context of an intra-corporate transfer issued by Cyprus.

– This condition excludes sponsors who hold an intra-corporate transfer permit or a long-term mobility in the context of an intra-corporate transfer issued by Cyprus.This condition excludes sponsors who hold a researcher permit or a long-term mobility researcher permit issued by Cyprus.

Copy of a certified Marriage Certificate. The couple must be married at least one year before submitting the application. The Spouse must be at least 21 years old. 4 Copy of a certified birth certificate of the minor children. Children must be under the age of 18 and non-married.

Court decision on the adopted minor children of the sponsor and of his/her spouse, if applicable. 6 Court custody decision for the minor children, or affidavit of the other parent for the residence of the minor children in the Republic without time limit or until adulthood, where applicable.

All supporting documents submitted in the context of applications must be officially translated and duly certified/certified .

Sponsor’s house/ apartment title of ownership, or rental agreement, duly stamped if valued over €5000, accompanied by house/ apartment description and rent payment receipts, if applicable.

Valid contract of employment of the sponsor, duly signed and stamped for the minimum duration of 18 months from the date of application, or of open duration. 11 Copy of the first page and pages related to the calculable tax (GESY, income tax and extraordinary contribution for defence) of the tax return of the employee for the previous year. 12 Statement of the insurable earnings of the employee from the Social Insurance Services. 13 Sponsor’s V.A.T. returns, for all years of residence in the Republic (this is only applicable when the sponsor is the only shareholder). 14 Sponsor’s Income Declaration, for sources of income other than employment, if applicable, accompanied by affidavit. 15 Sponsor’s bank accounts’ statements.

Original letter of guarantee issued by a bank in Cyprus, with validity of 10 years, covering possible repatriation expenses. The amount depends on the country of origin.

Valid health Insurance Policy for the sponsor and his family members that covers inpatient and outpatient care as well as transportation of corpse (Plan A), automatically renewable, OR Registration Certificate in the General Healthcare System (GHS – GESY) and private insurance for transportation of corpse.

The entry permit is issued upon submission of an application made by the sponsor.

It is emphasized that a third-country national cannot enter the Republic with a tourist visa for the purpose of family reunification, unless the sponsor is employed by a company within the meaning of the Companies Law, which is approved to employ foreign personnel.

Applications shall be examined within nine months of submission, or within 90 days in the case of an intra-corporate transferee or researcher.

Family members are granted a first residence permit of one year’s duration. The permit is renewable and cannot be valid beyond the date of expiry of the sponsor’s permit.

Family members may reside in the Republic without a time limit, provided that the conditions of the legislation continue to be met and provided that they hold a valid residence permit.

Spouses/partners in civil unions have direct access to employment, with the same terms and conditions as the sponsor. Spouses/ partners in civil unions of long-term residents and intra-corporate transferees have free access to the labour market, which also includes self-employment.