Cyprus Companies of Foreign Interest Visa

The best temporary visa for non-EU entrepreneurs in Cyprus looking to establish a business in a low tax jurisdiction.

Program Quick Facts

Investment Amount

€200,000

Fees and Expenses

From €8,100

Income Requirement

€30,000/year

Residency (Visa) Length

2 years

Time to Obtain

1-3 months

Complexity

Moderate

The Cyprus Companies of Foreign Interest program grants temporary residency to eligible Non-EU entrepreneurs looking to relocate to Cyprus.

An investment of €200,000 into the company bank account, property, or equipment.

Additional fees, including government and legal fees, amount to approximately €8,100 which includes incorporation of the company.

An annual income of €30,000 is required to meet eligibility criteria paid as a salary.

The program is not available to EU citizens.

To maintain the visa, applicants must visit Cyprus at least once every 90 days.

Cypriot citizenship takes 7 years or 2555 days in aggregate.

Dependents are included in the application and spouses are allowed to work.

Applications cannot be submitted remotely. One visit to the immigration office is required to complete the process.

The processing time for the residency application is approximately 90 days.

Who can apply for Cyprus Companies with foreign interest?

Eligibility and requirements for the main applicant and family members.

Main Applicant Requirements

  • Must be over 18 years old
  • Must be a non-EU national
  • Must have a company incorporated in Cyprus
  • Company must be funded with EUR 200,000 (earned outside of Cyprus)
  • Must have a clean criminal record
  • Majority shareholders must be non-EU nationals.

Program Options, Fees and Requirements

Option 1: Cyprus Companies of Foreign Interest

Invest €200,000 in a Cyprus company by depositing funds in a company bank account or purchasing real estate to be used as company offices. This route also includes residency benefits for directors and their families.

Feature: Low corporate taxFeature: Family Included

Requirements:

Investment Amount

Invest €200,000 into a company bank account or purchase real estate for company office use.

Amount: €200,000

Director Salary

Director salary of €30,000 per year.

Amount: €30,000

Fees:

Company Incorporation

Approximate fixed fee for incorporating a company in Cyprus.

Amount: €4,500

Legal Fees

Aproximate legal fees for the application process.

Amount: €3,000

Immigration Department Fee

Fee charged by the Immigration Department for processing residency applications.

Amount: €500

Residency Card Fee

Fee for issuing a residency card for the main applicant and family members.

Amount: €70

Invest €200,000 in a Cyprus company by depositing funds in a company bank account or purchasing real estate to be used as company offices. This route also includes residency benefits for directors and their families.

Main Applicant
Spouse
(additional)
Child
(additional)
Requirements
Investment Amount
€200,000€0€0
Director Salary*
€30,000 (not included in total)€0 (not included in total)€0 (not included in total)
Fees and Expenses
Company Incorporation
€4,500
€0
€0
Legal Fees
€3,000
€0
€0
Immigration Department Fee
€500
€0
€0
Residency Card Fee
€70
€70
€70
Total Cost
€208,070
for main applicant
€208,140
for married couple
€208,210
for family of 3
* Items marked with an asterisk are not included in the total cost calculation

Benefits & Restrictions

Benefits

Restrictions and Drawbacks

Warm climate

Cyprus offers a Mediterranean climate with long summers and mild winters, providing an ideal lifestyle for those seeking pleasant year-round weather.

Not available for EU citizens

The Companies of foreign interest program is designed specifically for non-EU citizens, offering unique residency benefits to investors outside the European Union.

High quality of life

Residents benefit from Cyprus's high standard of living, including a safe environment, excellent infrastructure, and a family-friendly community.

Freedom to work or start a business

This program allows residents to work or start a business in Cyprus, creating ideal conditions for entrepreneurs and investors to establish and grow their ventures.

Path to citizenship

With the Companies of foreign interest program, residents can apply for Cypriot citizenship after seven years, gaining additional benefits and access within the EU.

Access to public healthcare

Residents are eligible for Cyprus's public healthcare system, ensuring access to essential health services and support within a robust healthcare network.

Family members included

This program extends to spouses and children under 18, enabling families to enjoy the benefits of Cypriot residency together. Spouses also have the right to work in Cyprus.

Low tax jurisdiction

Cyprus offers an advantageous tax regime with low income and corporate tax rates, appealing to business owners and investors looking to optimize tax efficiency.

No capital gains tax

Residents benefit from zero capital gains tax, making Cyprus a highly favorable location for investors looking to maximize their return on investments.

Companies with foreign interest vs other programs in Cyprus

CriteriaCompanies of foreign interestPermanent Residency>Visitors Visa>Yellow Slip>
Investment Amount€200,000€300,000€0€0
Residency TypeTemporary ResidencyPermanent ResidencyTemporary ResidencyTemporary Residency
Application Fees€8,100€18,000€2,000€840
Annual Income Requirement€30,000€40,000€15,000€15,000
Annual Presence Requirement183 days0 days183 days0 days
Key Perks
Fast Tax Residency
Instant Permanent ResidencyNo Presence RequiredFast Tax Residency
Simple Setup
Simple SetupLow Cost Program
Ideal For
EntrepreneursInvestors
Investors
RetireesPerson of independent means
EU nationals

How to apply for Companies with foreign interest - Timeline

7-10 days

Company Registration

Establish a company in Cyprus as the first step in the application process.

Up to 10 business days

Registration with the Business Facilitation Unit (BFU)

Register the company as a Company of Foreign Interests with the BFU.

Under 1 month

Application for Residence and Employment Permits

Apply for residence and employment permits for eligible third-country nationals associated with the company.

Cyprus Taxation at a glance

Key Information

Taxation Type: Residence based

Special Regime: Non-Domiciled (Non-Dom) Regime

Normal Tax Residency: 183 days

Special Residency: 60 day rule

Income Tax Rate: 35

Dividend Tax
No
0 - Dividends are exempt for non-domiciled.
Capital Gains Tax
No
0 - dividends are exempt for non-domiciled.
Property Rental Income Tax
No
0 - Under non-dom, income arising from properties outside of Cyprus is exempt. Income from properties in Cyprus is taxed at a standard income tax rate.
Property Tax
No
Inheritance Tax
No
Wealth Tax
No
CFC Laws
No

Frequently Asked Questions

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