CyprusResidence permit

Family reunification in Cyprus

The programme allows the family members of third-country nationals lawfully residing in the Republic of Cyprus to join their relatives and maintain family unity. The sponsor must have lived in Cyprus for the minimum period set and hold a valid residence permit. The programme covers spouses, partners, children and other relatives depending on the circumstances. All documents must be officially translated and certified before submission. The process provides for consideration at the main office of the Migration Department in Nicosia.

Source: Civil Registry and Migration Department of Cyprus (gov.cy)

How to arrange reunification

The programme has different conditions depending on your situation and the sponsor's status. The main routes for filing correspond to the categories of potential applicant.

Family members of an ordinary sponsor

Wives, husbands, registered partners
Unmarried minor children
Parents depending on the circumstances

Family members of an intra-corporate transferee or a researcher

Accelerated consideration within the period laid down
Wives, husbands, registered partners
Children and other dependants

Procedural requirements for everyone

Official translation of all documents into English or Greek
Certification (apostille) of all third-country documents
Registration of biometric data at the district unit

When the programme will not suit you

The sponsor does not reside lawfully or does not hold a valid permit

The sponsor must first obtain a valid residence permit

The family members are Cypriot citizens or family members of a Cypriot citizen

Use the programme for family members of Cypriot citizens (a different procedure)

The sponsor has not accumulated the required minimum period of residence

Wait until the required period is reached or consider other programmes

What it costs

Issue or renewal of the residence and work permit (unpaid work)The base fee for issuing or renewing the permit in the case of unpaid work	50 EUR
Issue or renewal of the residence and work permit (paid work)The higher fee for applicants who will be working as employees	80 EUR
First registration in the Aliens RegisterMandatory when the permit is first obtained	70 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. the “Issue or renewal of the residence and work permit (paid work)” branch replaces the “Issue or renewal of the residence and work permit (unpaid work)” line — 150 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	120 EUR

Paid separately

Fees for translating documents — Not included in the government fee; paid separately to the translator
Fees for the apostille and certification — Not included in the government fee; paid separately to the authorities of the country of origin

Documents to gather

All documents from third countries must be officially translated into English or Greek and certified. An application without the complete set of documents is not accepted.

Passport and a copy of the passport (valid at least for the period of stay)
Income certificate and tax return of the sponsor
Criminal-record certificate
Medical certificate where required
A document proving the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
Title document or tenancy agreement for the accommodation
Health insurance certificate (Plan A — in-patient and out-patient care)
Official translations of all documents
Apostille on third-country documents

How the process runs

Filing and consideration of the application follow set stages laid down by the Migration Department.

1
Preparing the complete document pack
2–4 weeks
Collect and translate all the necessary documents. Every document from a third country must be officially translated into English or Greek and certified (apostille). Make sure the complete pack meets the Department's requirements.
2
Registration of biometric data
1 day
Provide a photograph and fingerprints and sign the documents. This can be done at the same time as filing the application or shortly afterwards at the district police unit for your area.
3
Filing the application at the main office
0 days
File the application and the complete document pack only at the main office of the Migration Department in Nicosia. Documents are accepted in person. You receive a receipt and a case number.
4
Consideration of the application
up to 9 months
The Department considers your complete application within the period laid down. For a family member of an intra-corporate transferee or a researcher the period is reduced to 90 days. The period runs from the day the fully completed application is filed.
5
Receiving the decision
1 day
You receive notification of the decision — approval or refusal. If the decision is positive, pay the remaining part of the fee (if required) and receive the residence permit.
6
Receiving the residence card
2–4 weeks
Once the fee has been paid and all checks are complete, collect the plastic residence card at the police station for your district. The card is valid in accordance with the permit issued.

Who you can bring with you

The family reunification programme recognises the family members who may join a sponsor residing in Cyprus. Which family members are recognised is determined by Cypriot law.

Wife or husband, registered partner

Married to or in a registered partnership with the sponsor; the documents must be verified

Unmarried minor children

Children below the age laid down who are dependent on the sponsor; a birth certificate is required

Adult children in certain cases

Where there are special circumstances and the other conditions of the programme are met

The sponsor's parents

In certain cases, where they are dependent on the sponsor and meet the other requirements

Renewal and the grace period

The first residence permit is issued for one year. Renewal is possible where the sponsor's status is valid and all the programme's requirements are met. For sponsors in employment, the maximum validity of the permit is five years, provided employment is continuous. All documents supporting the renewal must likewise be translated and certified.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After 5 years of continuous lawful residence you apply for long-term resident status. An absence must not exceed 6 consecutive months, and all absences together must not exceed 10 months over the five years. The long-term resident document is valid for 5 years.

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation is applied for on form M127. Twelve months of continuous lawful residence immediately before filing are required, plus a further 7 years in total over the preceding 10 years. Absences totalling up to 90 days do not break the period.

Frequently asked questions about Family reunification

What minimum period must the sponsor have lived in Cyprus before the application is filed?

The sponsor must have lived in Cyprus for the minimum period laid down (as a rule, at least two years) and hold a valid residence permit valid for at least one year. Exceptions may be provided for intra-corporate transferees and researchers.

How long does a family reunification application take to consider?

The standard period of consideration is up to nine months from the day the fully completed application is filed. For family members of an intra-corporate transferee or a researcher the period is reduced to ninety days.

Is health insurance required, and what conditions must it meet?

Yes, a valid health insurance certificate is required. The insurance must cover in-patient and out-patient treatment, as well as repatriation of remains in the event of death (Plan A). All family members must be covered by appropriate insurance.

Where and how is a family reunification application filed?

The application is filed only at the main office of the Migration Department in Nicosia. Filing in person is mandatory. District police stations can help only with the registration of biometric data. Make sure all documents are fully translated and certified before filing.

What are the requirements for long-term resident status after family reunification?

After five years of continuous lawful residence in Cyprus you may apply for long-term resident status. An absence must not exceed six consecutive months, and total absence over the five-year period must not exceed ten months. The long-term resident document is valid for five years and can be renewed.

What are the requirements for naturalisation as a Cypriot citizen for family members?

Naturalisation is applied for on form M127. At least twelve months of continuous lawful residence immediately before filing are required, as well as seven years of residence in total out of the preceding ten years. Absences totalling up to ninety days do not break the period of continuous residence.

Other ways to move to Cyprus

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Cyprus.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.