CyprusResidence permit

Study residence permit in Cyprus

A residence permit for a student from a country outside the European Union who has been admitted to a full-time higher education programme at an institution recognised in Cyprus. The permit is renewed each year for as long as the student shows real progress. The status allows part-time work outside class hours and exchanges: part of the programme may be taken at another university in the European Union. After graduation a separate residence permit is granted for job-seeking or starting a business.

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

Where to apply for a study residence permit from

The procedure differs according to where the prospective student is when the application is made — outside Cyprus or already on the island on another basis.

Applicants who have not yet arrived in Cyprus

The entry visa application is filed by the institution or by the applicant themselves while the person is abroad
The application is considered jointly by the Migration Department and the Ministry of Education of Cyprus
Once the visa is granted you must enter the country and register with the migration authorities within a week

Those already living lawfully in Cyprus on another status

The change-of-status application is filed directly with the Migration Department without leaving the country
The only people who cannot file on the spot are those in Cyprus on a tourist or visitor visa
If approved, the previous basis of stay is replaced by a study residence permit

When the programme will not suit you

The person is already in Cyprus on a tourist or visitor visa

an application will not be accepted on the spot — you need to leave Cyprus and file from outside, or arrange the transfer through another basis of stay

The institution is not registered and not recognised by the Ministry of Education of Cyprus

choose an educational institution officially recognised by the Cypriot Ministry of Education — without that the entry visa application will not be accepted

The purpose is not study but permanent work from day one

consider a residence permit for employees rather than a student permit

The study programme is short or does not lead to a higher education diploma or degree

check other bases of stay with the institution and the Migration Department — this programme is intended for a full higher education course

What it costs

Entry visa and residence permit (application filed from abroad)The base fee on first application, while the student has not yet arrived in Cyprus	70 EUR
First registration in the Aliens Register on arrivalPaid once — when registering with the migration authorities within a week of entry	70 EUR
Annual renewal of the residence permit for a new academic yearRepeated every year for as long as the student is studying and meets the requirements of the law	55 EUR
The same entry application together with the Alien Registration Card (ARC)The option where the visa, the residence permit and the ARC are arranged as a single package	140 EUR
Renewal together with the Alien Registration Card (ARC)Where the renewal is filed together with the issue or update of the ARC	125 EUR
Change of status to a student residence permit for those already living in CyprusThe alternative for those already in Cyprus on another residence permit who are switching to student status	55 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. the “The same entry application together with the Alien Registration Card (ARC)” branch replaces the “Entry visa and residence permit (application filed from abroad)” line — 265 EUR; the “Renewal together with the Alien Registration Card (ARC)” branch replaces the “Annual renewal of the residence permit for a new academic year” line — 265 EUR; the “Change of status to a student residence permit for those already living in Cyprus” branch replaces the “Entry visa and residence permit (application filed from abroad)” line — 180 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	195 EUR

Paid separately

Translation and certification of documents — All supporting documents for the migration file must be officially translated and certified — a separate service not included in the government fee

Documents to gather

The list is drawn from the official section for students and the application forms page of the Migration Department of Cyprus.

Application on the prescribed form (form MEDU/MEDUM)
A valid travel document (passport)
Proof of admission to an institution recognised by the Ministry of Education of Cyprus on a full-time higher education programme
A pack of supporting documents, officially translated and certified
Receipt for payment of the government fee
Biometric data — photograph, fingerprints and signature, given in person at submission

How the process runs

The procedure is set out for the case where the applicant files while outside Cyprus.

1
The institution files the entry visa application
about 1 month
The entry visa application for the student is considered jointly by the Migration Department and the Ministry of Education of Cyprus. If the documents are insufficient, the processing time increases.
2
Entry to Cyprus on the visa
You may enter on the entry visa once issued; if the application has not yet been decided, the receipt for the fee bearing a stamp permitting entry, together with a valid passport, is enough to enter.
3
Registration in the Aliens Register and application for the residence permit
within 7 days of arrival
After arrival you must register with the migration authorities within a week, apply for the residence permit, pay the fees and give biometric data — photograph, fingerprints and signature.
4
Consideration of the residence permit application
up to 3 months
The application for a study residence permit is considered by the Migration Department within up to three months where the document pack is complete.
5
Receiving the residence permit or a refusal
If approved, the applicant is notified to collect the completed residence permit. If refused, a letter is sent setting out the reasons.
6
Annual renewal for a new academic year
For as long as the student shows sufficient progress in their studies and continues to meet the requirements of the law, the residence permit is renewed annually until the study programme is completed.

Timelines and rights

Work

You may work outside study hours and only in the occupations and sectors listed in the order of the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance: for example, wholesale and retail trade with repair, healthcare and social care. After graduation you are given 12 months to find work matching the level of education obtained or to start your own business.

Renewal and the grace period

The study residence permit is issued for up to one year and renewed annually by a new application — until the study programme is completed, provided the student still meets the requirements of the law. On renewal, among other things, the student's academic progress is checked; biometric data are also taken afresh. If the institution or the study programme changes, a separate transfer form giving details of the previous and the new programme must be attached to the renewal application — it is considered by the Ministry of Education of Cyprus, and without a positive recommendation the Migration Department will refuse the renewal.

Frequently asked questions about Study residence permit

Can you apply for a study residence permit while already in Cyprus on a tourist visa?

No. An application is considered only where the person is either still outside Cyprus or already living on the island as the holder of a valid residence permit on another basis. Holders of a tourist or visitor visa cannot file on the spot.

How long does the application take to consider?

The entry visa application for a student is considered in about a month — it is checked simultaneously by the Migration Department and the Ministry of Education of Cyprus. The residence permit application itself, made after arrival, is considered within up to three months where the document pack is complete; if documents are missing, the period increases.

Can you work while studying?

Yes, outside class hours students are allowed paid employment in the occupations and sectors determined by order of the Minister of Labour in the light of the labour market situation. Before starting work the student signs an employment contract and submits it for approval to the district labour office together with their timetable; a maximum of twenty hours a week during term and up to thirty-eight hours a week in the holidays.

What happens if you change institution or study programme during your studies?

A transfer is allowed on certain conditions: you must file an application to renew the residence permit together with a transfer form setting out the previous and the new programme. The Ministry of Education of Cyprus checks the academic side of the transfer, for example the recognition of credits, and gives a recommendation; without a positive recommendation the Migration Department will refuse the renewal.

What can you do after finishing your studies?

Graduates are entitled to a separate residence permit for job-seeking or starting their own business in the field of the education obtained — for a maximum of twelve months. This is open to those whose completed level of education corresponds to a master's degree or above on the European qualifications framework.

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.