Cyprus Pink Slip (Temporary Residence Permit)

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Updated: January 16, 2026

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The Cyprus temporary residence permit, commonly known as the Pink Slip, allows non-EU nationals to stay in Cyprus for more than 90 days without the right to work. It is issued for one year and can be renewed annually.

Family members can also receive the permit as dependents.

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To qualify, applicants must demonstrate sufficient annual income from abroad — at least €24,000 — to cover living expenses in Cyprus. Applications are submitted to the local Immigration Unit, after which the Civil Registry and Migration Department reviews and processes them.

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A key advantage of the Pink Slip is that after five years of legal and continuous residence, a holder may apply for long-term resident status, and after eight years, they may apply for Cyprus citizenship.

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ℹ️ Overview of the Temporary Residence Permit

A Pink Slip allows a person to reside in Cyprus as a visitor, without employment rights. Spouses and children under 18 can be included as dependents.

 

All family members apply at the same time, each submitting a separate application form and receiving an individual residence permit card.

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🚫 Restrictions of the Pink Slip

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• The holder cannot remain outside Cyprus for more than three consecutive months, or the permit is automatically cancelled.

• No right to work in Cyprus.

• Available only to non-EU nationals wishing to extend their stay.

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🔑 Validity

A Pink Slip is valid for one year and renewable annually, provided eligibility criteria are still met.
If the applicant’s passport expires earlier, the Pink Slip will expire three months before the passport expiry date.

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📄 How to Obtain a Cyprus Pink Slip

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must show:

• Income from abroad sufficient to cover living expenses
  (approx. €25,000–€30,000 for a family of three)

• A rental agreement (minimum one-year contract) or proof of property purchase

• Health insurance

• Medical tests (first application only)

• A bank guarantee for each family member

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💼 Required Documents

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1. Application form MVIS8

• One per family member

• Fully completed and signed

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2. Rental or sale agreement

• Rental contract must be at least one year

• Must be certified by the Mukhtar or certifying officer and stamped at the tax office

 

3. Bank statement and proof of income transfer

• At least €24,000 transferred from abroad into a Cyprus bank account

• This amount increases by 20% for a spouse and 15% for each child

• SWIFT confirmation required

• Cash brought into Cyprus must be declared at the airport

 

4. Bank guarantee

Required for each family member. The amount depends on nationality:

• Eastern Europe & Russia: €550

• Middle East: €350

• Asia / Americas: €850

Processing time: 1–2 business days

Exempt countries: UK, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Andorra, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Monaco, Qatar, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE.

 

5. Health insurance

• Can be international or obtained in Cyprus

• Approx. cost: €175 per person

• Issued within 1 day

 

6. Medical exams (first permit only)

• Blood tests: Hepatitis B & C, HIV, syphilis

• Chest X-ray: tuberculosis

• Must be stamped by a specialist doctor

• Valid for 3 months

 

7. Proof of stable income from abroad

Such as salary, pension, or deposits.

Minimum annual net income:

• €24,000 — single applicant

• €28,800 — couple

• €32,400 — couple + 1 child

 

8. Additional documents

• Passport copy

• Marriage certificate* (if applicable)

• Birth certificates of children*

• School enrollment letter (for children)

• Criminal record* no older than 6 months

  • UK applicants must use ACRO, not DBS

* Documents must be translated into English and bear an Apostille, OR be certified by the issuing country’s MFA and the Cyprus Embassy.
 

Russian documents require no Apostille and can be translated in Cyprus.

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⏳ Processing Time

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As of 2026, processing takes approximately 6 months.
The Pink Slip will be valid for one year from the approval date.

Once submitted, the applicant may remain in Cyprus legally until the application is examined.

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➡️ Where to Apply

Applications must be filed at the Immigration Unit of the applicant’s city of residence:

• Nicosia — Agamemnonos 6, Engomi, 2411

• Limassol — Franglinou Rousvelt 223, Zakaki, 2nd floor

• Larnaka — Tasou Mitsopoulou 34, 6027

• Pafos — Eleftheriou Venizelou & Kaningos 22, 2nd floor

• Famagusta — Eleftherias 83, Derynia Plaza, 1st floor

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🏦 Government Fees

• €70 — application fee (each family member, first time or renewal)

• €70 — registration fee (each family member, first application only)

 

📇 Renewing the Pink Slip

The renewal procedure is the same as the initial application, except:

• No medical tests required

• No new criminal record needed

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Documents needed for renewal:

• Copies of bank guarantees

• Marriage or birth certificates

• Annual bank statements + SWIFTs showing at least
  €2,000/month or €24,000/year from abroad

• New rental agreement

• Renewed health insurance

✔️ Practical Advice from Lawyers

It is recommended to transfer money from abroad into the Cyprus bank account and use cards rather than cash for daily expenses.

This ensures bank statements clearly demonstrate foreign income, which is essential for renewal.

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📤 Benefits of the Cyprus Pink Slip

• Legal stay beyond 90 days

• Annual renewable residence status

• Family members included as dependents

• Free entry/exit during validity

• Children can attend local schools

• Eligibility for long-term residency after 5 years

• Eligibility for citizenship application after 8 years