Researchers

The mission of the International Students and Staff Office (ISSO) is to contribute to the University of Cyprus’s internationalization strategy by providing support and information to international students and staff – both academic and administrative. The ISSO holds responsibility for assisting mainly non-European students and staff (but also EU students/staff) with Entry and Residence Permit procedures, through active coordination with the Cyprus Migration Department and other competent authorities.

Additionally, ISSO serves as a point of reference, guiding individuals to appropriate resources and services related to academic life, employment, and living conditions at the University, in Nicosia, and Cyprus more broadly.

All non-EU Researchers who apply to the UCY are suggested to apply for an Entry Permit to enter the Republic of Cyprus. Provided that all the required documents and payments have been received, the University will submit the Researcher’s application to the Migration Authorities for evaluation. 

To submit your application for Entry Permit the ISSO must receive the documents as follows:

1. Application Form MEDUMEDUM2, duly completed and signed.

2. Employment verification

3. The payment for the entry visa fees for the amount of €140,00 should be made via JCC SMART, through the website https://www.jccsmart.com/businesses/9356296. In case a Researcher has acquired the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) on a previous visit to Cyprus, then the amount to pay is €70. (Application will not be processed without this non-refundable fee).

4. Duly certified copy of passport or other travel document, valid for:  

• at least the expected duration of the research,
• at least two years.

5. Original and duly certified certificate of clear criminal record or original and duly certified certificate of Good Conduct from the official authorities of the country of residence with official translation in Greek or English with a validity period of six months. A public/governmental authority must issue the Certificate. 

7. Original and duly certified medical certificates attesting to good health, including blood tests (Hepatitis B and C, HIV and Syphilis) as well as a Chest X-Ray (testing for Tuberculosis). Medical examinations are considered valid for a four-month period.
8. Hosting Agreement signed between the UCY and the Researcher.
9. Statement of financial responsibility for the Researcher will be issued by the ISSO.
   

Attestation of Documents (IMPORTANT): 

• • All the above documents must be officially translated to English and the translation must be attested. In cases where translations are necessary, these must be done by an approved translator and attested by the relevant authorities in the applicant´s country. It is preferable that the original document be attached to the attested translation and be officially bound together with the translator’s seal.
    
    Please note that the APOSTILLE stamp does not need to be translated.
  • The attestation process differs between countries that have signed the Hague Convention of 1961 (Apostille) and those that have not. The attested documents must be in English.

• • Researchers applying from countries that have signed the Hague Convention of 1961 (Apostille) must have the APOSTILLE stamp on the original  (and the translated) documents – which will not be returned from the Migration Department. If any document doesn’t bare the APOSTILLE stamp the application will be rejected. Double certification from the Ministry of Exterior and the Embassy/Consulate of Cyprus in the country will not be accepted for documents issued in the member states.

  • It is important to underline that in case any document (for example the criminal record) is not original then true copies of the original must be submitted with the original stamp and signature of the issuing authority. Then the document should be attested with the apostille stamp.

Researchers must have their documents attested by the designated, competent government authority which is authorized to affix the Apostille on their documents. The Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Foreign Affairs is usually the government body that issues the Apostille. 

• Researchers applying from countries that have NOT signed the Hague Convention of 1961 (Apostille) but have a Cyprus Representation in their home country must have all their documents attested by:
  1. the responsible authority in the country where the documents have been issued (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and
  2. the Cyprus Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the same country.

• Researchers applying from Russia and Serbia: Based on bilateral agreements between Cyprus and Russia and between Cyprus and Serbia, researchers from these countries are exempt from the above procedures, provided all their documents are officially signed and stamped by the issuing authority.

PLEASE ALSO CHECK THE CYPRUS MIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S WEBPAGE HERE REGARDING THE ATTESTATION OF DOCUMENTS.

All of the above required documents (originals and one duplicate) must be sent by post to the UCY to the following address:

International Students and Staff Office

International Relations Service

University House “Anastasios G. Leventis”

UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

1 Panepistimiou Avenue

2109 Aglantzia, Nicosia

P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus

As soon as the set of attested documents is received (one original and one duplicate) they will be forwarded to the Migration Department. When the entry permit visa (blue slip) is ready, it will be scanned and emailed to the Researcher. 

This document is necessary for your Entry to the Republic. Please contact the Embassy of Cyprus in your country to confirm whether it’ s required to receive a verification stamp from them before you travel to Cyprus.  The original will be included in your application for Temporary Residence Permit.

AT THE AIRPORT CONTROL

Non-EU Researchers are required to show the following to the Immigration Authorities at Larnaca or Paphos Airport: 

1) Original Passport 

2) Copy of the Entry Visa (blue slip) 

3) The acceptance letter from the University

 

Please note that within seven days of your arrival, you should complete all the necessary procedures in order to submit the application for issuing your Temporary Residence Permit Card.

Once you have all the documents ready, you can arrange a meeting with the ISSO, between 10:00-13:00 (Monday-Friday), by calling 22894050 or by email [email protected]  in order to submit your residence permit card visa documents.