Without a doubt Cyprus is a fantastic place to live and if you are looking to say for longer on the island, you will want to know if there are remote worker visas in Cyprus. In Larnaca and the main other cities in the country, an increasing number of expats and digital nomads have chosen to settle due to the island’s vibrant culture, its incredible food, pristine beaches and infallible weather. For remote workers staying in Larnaca, the temptation will be to stay for longer in Cyprus and see more of the rest of the island, try staying in some of the other main cities, visit the Northern side of the island and take more trips to the many incredible sights around the Republic.

Before travelling to Cyprus, you should know the length of time you can stay on the island without the need for a visa. For EU nationals and nationals of EEC-member countries this period will be 3 months. During these 3 months, you can live and work freely in the country, enjoying all the same protections as a Cypriot national when it comes to financial and economic activities during this period. For non-EU or EEC nationals, most visas on arrival are usually given for up to 90 days, at the discretion of the Immigration Official. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada are eligible for visas on arrival, and you can check other nationalities’ eligibility here (https://www.cyprusvisa.eu/countries-not-required-entry-visa-cyprus.html).

You should note that non-EU or EEC nationals are not permitted to work or engage in additional economic activities while on this initial visitor visa.

If you are a remote worker looking to stay in Cyprus for longer, the process will depend on whether you are an EU/EEC national or not. If you are from the EU or the EEC, you will be required to request a “Yellow Slip”. You must do this within your first few months in Cyprus and the first step is to obtain your Alien Registration Card as soon as you can. You must also obtain a Social Security Number at a Social Insurance Office, and then apply for the “Yellow Slip”, or Registration Certificate, using the relevant application form at your local Immigration Office. To apply, you will need proof of address, proof of employment, 2 passport-sized photographs and a valid passport. The process has a cost of 20EUR and it can take months to receive a response. For EU/EEC nationals, this is the most common visa for remote workers in Cyprus.

If you are a non-EU or EEC national and wish to work remotely for longer than the 3 initial months allowed in Cyprus, you will need to apply for a “Pink Slip” or temporary residency visa. There are three main types - Visitor’s Visa, Student Visa, or Employment Visa. The Visitor’s Visa is available only to those who hold family links on the island. These residency permits allow stay in Cyprus for up to 4 years. Non-EU or EEC nationals looking for permanent residence, must apply under one of 6 categories, as detailed on this Cyprus visa website.

For remote workers conducting business and wishing to invest in Cyprus, a permanent residency route is available by buying property worth more than 300000EUR on the island and having proof of at least 30000EUR in current accounts. You can also obtain citizenship through the Cyprus Investment Program by investing at least 1.5m EUR in commercial or residential property on the island.

In general, we recommend that those looking for remote worker visas for Cyprus in order to stay for longer on the island should contact professional immigration lawyers to guide them through the process. It is also advised that all visitors follow local laws and regulations when it comes migration matters, as infractions can result in significant penalties.

For more information about living in Larnaca as a remote worker, check out our complete Larnaca section.