Student visa & permits in Cyprus
Student visa, residence permit, registration, fees, deadlines and document guidance for studying in Cyprus.
Read the complete Cyprus study abroad guide.
Visa & Immigration
For third-country students, the higher-education institution normally plays a central role in the student entry-permit process. The Migration Department's current fee schedule lists EUR 70 for an entry permit plus residence permit, or EUR 140 when first registration in the Aliens Register (ARC) is included. A residence-permit issue or renewal application is EUR 55; first ARC registration alone is EUR 70. Complete entry-permit applications are normally examined within one month, while complete student residence applications are examined within three months.
Avoid relying on the informal 'Blue Slip' label as if it were the official immigration category: the current Migration Department uses the terms student entry permit, temporary residence permit and Alien Registration Certificate. Financial evidence is institution-specific within the legal framework; for example, the University of Cyprus currently asks for evidence showing EUR 7,000 available toward tuition and living costs at the entry-permit stage. Medical tests and properly certified/translated documents can also form part of the file, so use the checklist issued by your institution and the Migration Department rather than a generic cash-on-arrival rule.
Source: https://www.gov.cy/mip-md/en/documents/students/
Residence Permit
The student temporary residence permit can be valid for up to one year and is renewable annually until the programme is completed, provided the legal conditions and satisfactory academic progress continue to be met. Biometrics are required for issue and renewal. Universities typically coordinate the post-arrival application/registration process, so report to the institution promptly after arrival and follow its current deadline rather than relying on old 'coloured slip' shorthand.
The official Migration Department fee schedule is EUR 55 for issue/renewal of the residence permit and EUR 70 for first registration in the Aliens Register where that registration is not already bundled with the entry-permit application.
Source: https://www.gov.cy/mip-md/en/documents/students/
Common questions
What should international students know about visa in Cyprus?
Institution-led student entry/residence process; official fees are EUR 70 or EUR 140 with first ARC registration.
What should international students know about residence in Cyprus?
Student residence is normally valid up to one year and renewed annually; complete applications can take up to three months.