Cyprus expands ‘Digital Nomad Visa’ for remote foreign workers
The Cyprus Council of Ministers approved, on 3 March, an increase on the ceiling of residence permits issuable under the Digital Nomad Visa Scheme from 100 to 500 residence permits.
The Digital Nomad Visa Scheme was first introduced by the Cyprus government last October to enable nationals from non-EU and non-EEA countries, who can perform their work remotely via information and communications technology (ICT) to reside temporarily in Cyprus and to perform salaried work for their own company or another company located outside Cyprus, or to perform self-employed work for clients that are located outside Cyprus.
The aim of the scheme is to reinforce Cyprus’s position as a digital service hub and respond to the alternative working arrangements that have developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In combination with the other benefits offered by Cyprus, the scheme is designed to contribute to the country’s business and economic development.
The Digital Nomad Visa Scheme is available to third-country nationals who work remotely using ICT and can demonstrate (supported by salary, bank statements, etc.) that they have sufficient fixed monthly income from abroad to support living in Cyprus, subject to a minimum amount of €3,500 per month after the deduction of taxes or other contributions.
Digital Nomad Visa holders gain the right to reside in Cyprus for up to 12 months initially, with the right to renew for another two years. If they reside in Cyprus for one or more periods that in total exceed 183 days within the same tax year, they will be considered Cyprus tax residents provided they are not tax resident in any other state.
Family members of Digital Nomad Visa holders also have the right to reside in Cyprus for the same period as the holder, but without the right to be employed of perform economic activity in Cyprus. The €3,500 per month minimum threshold of earnings from abroad is increased by 20% for a spouse or partner and by 15% for any minor child.
Scheme applicants can enter Cyprus under a tourist visa but must apply to the Civil Registry & Migration Department within three months of their arrival in Cyprus. In addition to meeting the minimum earnings’ threshold, applicants are required to have suitable accommodation in Cyprus, adequate medical insurance, and a clean criminal record.
Application processing times will be approximately five to seven weeks from the date of submission of the application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department. If an applicant is already residing in Cyprus under a different scheme, he /she can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa provided the relevant criteria are met.
