Student entry permit and residence permit (higher education)
StudyFor Indians admitted to a full-time programme at a Cyprus higher education institution registered with the Ministry of Education. The institution, not the student, applies to the Migration Department for an entry permit while the student is still outside Cyprus; after arrival the student registers and gets a temporary residence permit.
- Accepted by a higher education institution registered with (or recognised by) the Cyprus Ministry of Education, for a full-time programme leading to a qualification recognised by Cyprus (diploma, certificate or degree)
- Application submitted by the institution while the student lives outside Cyprus (or already holds a valid residence permit); it cannot be filed while in Cyprus on a tourist/visitor visa
- Examined by two authorities, the Migration Department and the Ministry of Education
- Bank certificate from the home-country bank confirming the student can cover tuition, living and repatriation costs, with a bank statement or scholarship certificate; no minimum balance is published
- Receipt of an advance payment of €3,000 towards the tuition fees (Ministry of Education list)
- Bank guarantee for repatriation expenses from the student or the institution; the Migration Department's country table lists €850 for India, and for students different requirements apply (a group guarantee is possible)
- Clear criminal record certificate and medical tests (Hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis, chest X-ray for TB) from India
- English for degree programmes (Council of Ministers decision of 19/7/2023): minimum IELTS 5, TOEFL iBT 71, PTE Academic 58, Cambridge B2 First (FCE) or CEFR B1; students below this can join an accredited English Language Foundation Programme (e.g. IELTS 4.0, TOEFL iBT 42, PTE 43)
- Indian documents apostilled by Indian authorities and translated into Greek or English where needed
- After arrival: register in the Aliens Register and apply for a temporary residence permit within 7 days (Migration Department; the Ministry of Education page says 10 days), giving biometrics, health insurance, accommodation proof and proof of funds transferred to a Cyprus bank account
- Residence permit valid up to one year, renewed yearly while the student makes sufficient academic progress
- Work during studies: up to 20 hours a week in term and 38 hours a week in breaks, only in sectors set by the Labour Minister, with the contract approved by the District Labour Office
- After a master's degree or higher, graduates may stay up to 12 months to look for work or set up a business at the level of their studies