As a result of Brexit and the likely No Deal, it is imperative that all UK expats formalise their residency on Cyprus. The Cypriot Authorities have confirmed that as long as you have started the process before 31 October, they will process your paperwork. If you do not start the process before this deadline, then you will have to undergo the process as a Third Country National which can be a more difficult and lengthy procedure.
Please also note that the only paperwork recognised will be an MEU1 or MEU3 - any stamp you may have in your passport will no longer be valid.
If you have no paperwork whatsoever, you will need to go to Immigration Department with your passport and make an appointment - they will give you a slip of paper telling you what paperwork you will need to bring to that appointment. The MEU1 is issued at your appointment.
If you already have the MEU1 [yellow slip] and have been here for 5 years, then you need to apply for your MEU3 [permanent residency]. Please note the procedure for this has changed in that you can now go down to Immigration with all the following documentation and they will process this whilst you wait [it is not known how long you may have to wait but it means if you go with all your paperwork you only have the one visit to make!]:
- completed MEU3 application - they will give you the simple form to complete when you arrive at Immigration. You can see the form and download copies if you wish [one per applicant] here moi.gov.cy/moi/crmd/crmd.nsf/All/D1D71A1CD6E43223C2257D2C00459524?OpenDocument
- Yellow slip [MEU1] and copy
-Rental agreement for last 5 years, and copy OR property sale contract and copy, OR title deed and copy
-Utility bills or statement for last 5 years and copy OR
-Water or electric bills or statement for last 5 years and copy OR
-Bank statements for last 5 years and copy OR
-Social insurance certificate for contributions for last 5 years by month and copy
-Passport and copy
-Marriage certificate and copy
-€20 per person application fee
The full 5 years must be covered by electric, phone, water bills or bank statements - if there is any gap the documents will not be accepted. The original paperwork will be handed back to you at the meeting.
Immigration will take a photograph of you at the time of your visit.
The MEU3 will be posted to you - if you give your postbox address please ensure you will be on the island to collect it as the Post Office tends to return documents if they are not collected from the box within a reasonable period of time - the form is then classed as lost and you then have to go through a procedure involving a visit to the court to swear that the document has not been received and pay an amount in stamps.
It is recommend that from now on when you leave the island, you take your MEU1/MEU3 plus your passport so that there are no problems when you come back to the island.
It is not yet known what the procedure will be at Arrivals at a Cypriot airport, ie whether you will be able to go through the EU citizens channel or another channel, for those holding an MEU1/3. Information will be released as and when the Cypriot Authorities advise.
If you do not formalise your paperwork, then assuming the No Deal Brexit goes ahead, from 31 October you will be treat as a Third Country National and will only be allowed to visit the island for a maximum period of 90 days. Absence of an MEU1 or MEU3 also means that you will not be able to join GESY.
Third Country Nationals:
http://moi.gov.cy/moi/crmd/crmd.nsf/All/6537752D9FC166A0C2257D2C00382AD7?OpenDocument
Please share this information with friends and neighbours, particularly if those friends and neighbours do not have internet access and may be unaware of the need for the paperwork.
Information is also available on the Cyprus Immigration website: moi.gov.cy/moi/CRMD/crmd.nsf/All/C482CD407E0903D8C225830E00384072
