Family Reunification in Cyprus
One documented route of this kind in Cyprus, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Family Reunification Permit (FR)
Allows third-country nationals legally residing in Cyprus for at least 2 years (and holding a residence permit valid for at least 1 year with a prospect of acquiring permanent residence) to bring eligible family members to Cyprus. The sponsor first applies for an entry permit for the family member; after arrival the family member applies for a residence permit.
- Processing time
- Not officially specified. Entry permit applications should be examined promptly; residence permit applications are examined within 3 months where duly completed.
- Validity
- Tied to the sponsor's residence permit validity; renewable annually.
- Language requirement
- None specified.
- Permanent residence
- After 5 years of continuous legal residence, family members may apply for long-term resident status (EUR 30 fee).
- Citizenship
- Family members of naturalised Cypriots may apply for naturalisation after 8 years of residence within an 11-year period plus 12 months continuous residence immediately before application, under the 2024 amendment to the Civil Registry Law.
Requirements
- Sponsor must be a third-country national legally residing in Cyprus for at least 2 years (discretionary waiver if sponsor employed at approved company)
- Sponsor must hold a residence permit valid for at least 1 year with reasonable prospect of permanent residence
- Family member must be an eligible category (spouse, minor children, or dependents)
- Sponsor must have stable and regular resources sufficient to maintain themselves and family members without recourse to the social assistance system
- Sponsor must have suitable accommodation
- Family member must have a valid travel document and health insurance
- Clean criminal record for family member
Required Documents
- Completed application form submitted by sponsor required
- Valid passport of sponsor and family member required
- Sponsor's residence permit required
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates, adoption order) required
- Proof of sponsor's income and financial resources required
- Proof of accommodation (rental contract or property ownership) required
- Health insurance for the family member required
- Clean criminal record certificate for family member required
- Recent passport-sized photographs required
Official fees
- Residence permit issuance fee 70 EUR
Process Steps
-
1
Sponsor submits entry permit application
The sponsor (legally resident in Cyprus) submits an application for an entry permit on behalf of the family member at the Migration Department headquarters in Nicosia.
-
2
Family member obtains entry permit and travels
The family member collects the entry permit from the relevant Cypriot embassy or consulate in their home country and travels to Cyprus.
-
3
Apply for residence permit
After arriving in Cyprus, the family member applies for a temporary residence permit at the Migration Department in Nicosia, submitting all required documents and providing biometric data.
-
4
Receive residence permit
Upon approval, the family member receives a temporary residence permit valid for the same duration as the sponsor's permit.
-
5
Annual renewal
The residence permit is renewed annually as long as the sponsor's permit remains valid and the family relationship continues.