Cyprus

Advising UAE residents on European residency from our Dubai office.

Two facts to know before anything else

Cyprus is not in Schengen. It is an EU member state, which is not the same thing. A Cypriot residence permit does not give you Schengen travel rights. It is the single most common misunderstanding about Cyprus.

There is no Cypriot citizenship by investment. The Cyprus Investment Programme was terminated on 1 November 2020, by decision of the Council of Ministers dated 13 October 2020. What remains is permanent residence by investment — a different product with a different outcome.

Investment criteria

Permanent residence by investment is granted under Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations. XIPHIAS confirms the current criteria — the investment threshold, the income requirement and the qualifying investment categories — in writing with the Civil Registry and Migration Department before filing, and before any client commits funds.

Citizenship is a separate matter. Naturalisation for non-EU nationals requires 8 years of legal residence within the previous 11, plus 12 months of continuous residence immediately before the application.

One thing to settle before you start

These are residency programmes, not citizenship. That distinction matters more for an Indian passport holder than for most, because India does not permit dual citizenship: under Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955, voluntarily acquiring another citizenship ends your Indian citizenship automatically.

Holding European residency does not affect your Indian citizenship at all. Only naturalising would. So the residence permit is the safe part; the decision point comes years later, if and when you choose to naturalise.

Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit by Investment Program

This is the easier of the 2 pathways available to relocate to Cyprus. The applicants will have to provide the right kind of documents to support their cause of moving/investing in Cyprus. These documents include

• Proof of Net worth and the source for the same
• Source for the Investment
• Medical certificate to prove good and sound mental and physical health
• Certificate from local police authorities proving zero criminal background
• Certificates to prove age and relationships of the main applicant and fellow applicants

Process to obtain Residency Permit in Cyprus

• A minimum agreed amount should be regularly transferred into your bank account in Cyprus. This income should be derived from legal sources outside of Cyprus.
• After these are satisfied, you get an immigration permit from the state, saying that you and your immediate family who had applied along with you are now entitled to live in Cyprus.

XIPHIAS Immigration is run by international immigration experts who have handled thousands of cases of cross border investments. XIPHIAS has good relations in CYPRUS who can help our clients to decide the best and most economical, possible investment options they can avail.

XIPHIAS Immigration's team of international immigration experts can help our high net worth clients to choose the best economical investment in Cyprus and thus ensure their dream of investing and migrating into Cyprus a success. This could be either for Cyprus' Residency Visa or Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Program.

Cyprus Investment Immigration Visa

Cyprus, renowned for its strategic location and business-friendly environment, attracts entrepreneurs seeking global opportunities. Business consultants in Cyprus play a pivotal role in navigating the intricacies of the esteemed Cyprus Immigration Investment Program. This program, designed to foster economic growth, offers a pathway for eligible individuals to obtain a business visa for Cyprus. To embark on this journey, understanding the Cyprus business visa requirements is paramount. The Cyprus Immigration Investment Program opens doors for investors, allowing them to contribute to the nation's prosperity. Trust in the expertise of business consultants in Cyprus to guide you through the nuances of this impactful program.

Cyprus Investment Benefits

• High Living standards at par with other developed European countries.
• It is one of the safest countries with a low crime rate.
• Most favored tourist destination.
• Free access to state-sponsored education for schooling.
• Your CYPRUS Visa can provide you VISA free access to all the European countries.
• Living in Cyprus would ensure you live, work, and study in any part of the European Union.
• Easy taxation is one of the highest points in Cyprus.
• Easy access to the whole of Europe.

Cyprus Business Investment Visa Requirements, Process and Cost

• You need to transfer a secure steady annual income to a bank operating in Cyprus on a regular basis. This income should be derived from a source –employment or business outside of Cyprus.
• You get an immigration permit stating that you, a non-EU national, have the right to permanently reside in Cyprus. You need not go through the visitor visa process to enter Cyprus.

Note: Your immediate family is also entitled to obtain the same.

Talk to a European residency consultant in Dubai

XIPHIAS Immigration has guided families into Europe since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Dubai will take you through the current rules, costs and timeline.

• Book a consultation
• Verify an immigration consultant
• Second passport for UAE residents

Sources

• Republic of Cyprus — Cyprus Investment Programme registry (scheme terminated 1 November 2020)
• Republic of Cyprus — Civil Registry and Migration Department

Verified against government and EU sources on 30 September 2026.