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Migration and Home Affairs
  • 1 April 2025

Researcher in Cyprus

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to carry out research in Cyprus? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay.

Conditions

To enter and reside in Cyprus as a researcher, you must be approved by a recognised research organisation for the purpose of performing research work as:

  • a doctorate researcher;
  • a post-doctorate researcher;
  • a researcher under a recognised European/other programme.

You must obtain a visa or an entry-permit before you come to Cyprus.

You must obtain a temporary residence permit after you arrive in Cyprus.

Procedures

Where and how to applyYou must obtain a visa or an entry permit from the in your home country abroad. You must obtain a temporary residence permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department within 7 days from your arrival in Cyprus.
Documents required
  • You must submit a hosting agreement signed between the Research Organisation and the applicant.
  • You must submit a Statement of financial responsibility of the applicant issued by the Research Organisation in accordance with the section (4) article 10 of the Alien and Immigration Law, 7(I)/2019
  • You must present a certificate of criminal record, a copy of your passport and x-rays and blood tests (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and report of x-ray for Tuberculosis).
Duration of validity of permitsResidence permits are granted for one year and are renewable, provided the renewal application is made one month before expiry of your permit and the duration of the researcher’s agreement is valid for more than a year.
Further requirementsWhen you arrive in Cyprus, you must register at the District Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police and undergo a medical check. You must also submit relevant medical certificates.
AppealsYou can challenge decisions related to your residence permit before the Administrative Court.

Rights

According to the law researchers are allowed to teach.

Mobility

If you have a permit/visa for research in an EU country, you may conduct research and teach in the Republic of Cyprus if you fulfil certain requirements. If the duration of your stay in the Republic of Cyprus is shorter than 180 days in a 360-day period, you are subject to short-term mobility rules. If the duration of your stay in the Republic of Cyprus is longer than 180 days, you are subject to the rules governing long-term mobility.

Short-term mobility

Procedure

The research organisation in the first EU country shall notify the authorities of the first EU country and the authorities in Cyprus of the researcher’s intention to do research and teach in Cyprus.

Documents required

  • a valid passport
  • a valid residence permit, which covers the mobility period,
  • the hosting agreement in the first EU country,
  • the hosting agreement in Cyprus,
  • the duration of the hosting agreement in the first EU country and the mobility period, if not stated above,
  • health insurance,
  • sufficient financial resources of the researcher.

Applicable fee

N/A

Allowed number of teaching hours/days

6 hours/week

Family members

Documents required:

  • a valid passport,
  • a valid residence permit, which covers the mobility period,
  • the duration of the hosting agreement in the first EU country and the mobility period,
  • health insurance,
  • sufficient financial resources of the researcher,
  • proof that the family member has stayed in the first EU country as a researcher’s family member in accordance with the article 26 of Directive (EU) 2016/801.

Procedure: The research organisation in the first EU country shall notify the authorities of the first EU country and the authorities in Cyprus of the researcher’s family members’ intention to accompany him/her in Cyprus.

Other information

Researchers, who exercised short-term mobility in Cyprus, are allowed to apply after their research for a permit for job-searching/entrepreneurship, and this for a period of one year after the completion of the research.

Long-term mobility

Procedure

The research organisation in Cyprus shall submit an application to the authorities of Cyprus (Civil Registry and Migration Department) for an entry and residence permit.

Documents required

  • a valid passport, for at least two years or for the mobility period,
  • a valid residence permit in the first EU country,
  • the hosting agreement in Cyprus,
  • the duration of the hosting agreement in Cyprus and the mobility period, if not stated above,
  • health insurance,
  • sufficient financial resources of the researcher,
  • proof of home address.

Applicable fee

55 euros

Allowed number of teaching hours/days

6 hours/week

Family members

Documents required:

  • a valid passport, for at least two years or for the mobility period,
  • valid residence permit in the first EU country,
  • the duration of the hosting agreement in Cyprus and the mobility period, if not stated above,
  • health insurance,
  • sufficient financial resources of the researcher,
  • proof of home address,
  • proof that the family member has stayed in the first EU country as a researcher’s family member in accordance with Article 26 of Directive (EU) 2016/801.

 

The relevant fees are 200 euros for the whole family

Procedure: The researcher of the family member shall submit an application to the authorities of Cyprus (Civil Registry and Migration Department) for an entry and residence permit.

Other information

Researchers, who exercised long-term mobility in Cyprus, are allowed to apply, after their research, for a permit for job-searching/entrepreneurship for a period of one year.

Links

N/A