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​Cyprus Student Visa

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Unlike many other western countries, Cyprus does not have Embassies/High Commissions in many countries. Instead they have "Representative Offices" or "Consulates" in different countries. Most of these"Representative Offices" or "Consulates" are not allowed to issue visas directly to the students. This is true for most the countries of South East Asia. Thus it becomes a two-step process. Nationals of countries where an Embassy / High Commission / Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus is available in residency should submit to the Admission Office of the chosen educational institution the following documents in order to obtain, on their behalf, a preliminary approval for them to be interviewed at the Embassy/ High Commission/ Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus, in their home country:



1.A fully completed application form.

2.An application fee of 15-30 Cyprus Pounds (non-refundable).

3.Four (4) passport-size photographs.

4.Attested (certified true) copies of the student's academic qualifications.

5.Evidence of proficiency in English (if possible)

6.Certificate of Good conduct from police department in Applicant's home country or country of residence issued not before 6 months

7.Financial documents to show; students can meet all the costs of living and fees while studying in Cyprus

8.A photocopy of their passport. The passport should be valid for at least one (1) year from the date of the student's arrival.



The college will present these details to immigration authorities on behalf of the student and get the initial approval and a date for the student interview  in his home country. The college admission office will communicate details about the interview dates and required documents to candidates in time for the interview. Usually in the countries where there is no permanent Embassies/High Commissions of Cyprus, an immigration officer from Cyprus, visit the consulate in that country to conduct the visa interview twice or thrice a year.



During the visa interview at the Embassy/ High Commission/ Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus, the candidate must present:



1.Original academic qualifications and their attested copies in English or in English translation.

2.Their passport which should be valid for at least one (1) year from the date of their arrival to Cyprus

3.A recent certificate of good conduct issued by the police of the country of origin or residence. The good conduct certificate should be original and be issued less         than six (6) months prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student is applying. The names and titles of the persons issuing and certifying the document should be clearly stated therein. If not in English, official translation must also be presented.

4.A recent financial guarantee issued by the student sponsor's bank stating that the specific costs of living and studying in Cyprus (i.e. living expenses and the tuition fees) for one academic year at the educational institution will be met by the sponsor. The name of the sponsor and that of the student should be stated on the guarantee. The bank guarantee should be original and be issued less than six (6) months before the beginning of the semester for which the student is applying. The bank guarantee should include the mailing address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address of the bank. If not available in English, official translation of the bank guarantee must be also submitted.

5.Any other required documents (as advised by the educational institution).



Visa Forms

Usually student visa forms for Cyprus are provided by college or the consulate where your interview will be conducted. This is a brief and short form which can be filled without external help. You can also download it here.



Receiving the visa

After the visa interview, the applicants are informed with the outcome of their visa application within 24 hours by the visa officer. However this is usually not a full student visa sticker but an entry visa which allows you to enter Cyprus. The final student visa is stamped on your passport once you arrive in Cyprus, with the help of the education institution where you are going to study. 



Arriving in Cyprus

As at the time of arrival in Cyprus, the visa you will holding will be only the entry visa, you need to be very careful about the Cyprus entry requirements as in case of being unable to fulfil these requirements, you may be refused an entry to Cyprus. International students are required to bring to Cyprus all the documents advised by the immigration/your college in Cyprus  along with a receipt of payment of the tuition fee to the college with you. You are also requested bring at least 2000 Euros to cover your initial living expenses in Cyprus. Students must report to the educational institution on the first working day after their arrival in order to register and proceed with the remaining formalities needed for the issue of a temporary residence permit. International students should register with the District Police Alien Branch within seven days as from the day of arrival in Cyprus. They are also obliged to proceed for medical examinations on the first working day after their arrival, to submit the relevant medical certificates to the District Police Alien Branch within one week from the date of arrival. Within 3 days of arrival, you need to apply for a full student visa, through your college/university.Normally, foreign students from non EU countries are not allowed to work during their study in Cyprus. Exceptions are made by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for certain courses for which working permits may be issued to enable practical training during the summer vacations.



Brining Family to Cyprus

The foreign student have the right to invite to Cyprus his/her friends and relatives from abroad as guests under condition he/she can secure a bank deposit of 300 Cyprus Pound for each invited person. Usually their friends/family can visit them for a short visit. However, unlike UK, the students cannot bring them as their dependants.



What if the visa is refused

Unlike UK, if your student visa is refused, they don,t give you a right of review or appeal. However, in exceptional cases, your college/university in Cyprus may raise such issues with the concerned immigration authorities.



Visa Success

Usually there are brighter chances that if you are a genuine students, without any big gaps in education and fulfil the visa requirements, you will get the visa. Each year, about three millions people visit Cyprus as tourist. The student population among them is much smaller. Over the academic year 2007-2008 there were a total number of 25,688 students in tertiary education in Cyprus, 30 per cent of whom were foreigners, amounting to 17,936 individuals.In 2008-2009 there were 30,986 tertiary-level students in Cyprus. This number rose to 32,233 in 2009-2010. This shows that the number of students is growing in Cyprus. Following two graphs confirm it: