Cyprus Business Visa - Definitive Guide

Whenever you are considering doing business in another country, there are certain formalities that you need to take care of. You must first know what kind of business you are going to attend in Cyprus. Well, issuing a business visa is the most important thing to do at such an instance. A Cyprus business visa grants you various kinds of privileges. With this permit, you can attend to any kind of business errand like business conferences, a business meeting for a branch of your own organization or a sister company, or attend client meetings, or others. The validity of the visa is for a year on which you are allowed to stay for 90 days on one visit. This visa is normally a multi-entry visa.

business visa application process is offline. However, before that, you need to make sure that you have the eligibility to apply for the visa. You need to make sure that you have a valid passport and other important documents that are required. The guidelines that are put forth by the Consulate and the Civil Registry and Immigration Department must be followed. The step by step procedure for the issuance of the visa is listed follows:

1. Visit the official website of the Cyprus High Commission.
2. Go to the visa section and choose the Cyprus business visa application form.
3. Download and print out the form.
4. You can then fill out the form with all the required details from the passport and other documents.
5. Sign the form and attach the supporting documents with the form.
6. You can then submit the form to the office of Cyprus High Commission, New Delhi.

When you are filling out the application form for Cyprus business visa, you need to make sure that the information and the details provided on the visa application form match with the details on your passport and other documents. If there is any incorrect or unverifiable information, there are chances that the visa application may get rejected. This kind of visa rejection can even affect your future applications for any kind of visa to Cyprus or any other country as well. To avoid the same, you can even pursue consultation from the professionals to make sure not to make a mistake that could have consequences.

At the time of applying for the business visa, you will have to make sure that you match the eligibility criteria. There are certain parameters that you need to mind before filling out the application form. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.

• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Cyprus.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.

• You must meet the character requirements

• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Cyprus.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

• You must have sufficient funds

• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Cyprus.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

Documents required for Cyprus business visa as follows:

An original passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.

• Visa application form, completely filled and signed
• Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
• A cover letter with all the required details
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Income Tax Returns proof
• Travel Health Insurance
• Detailed Itinerary
• Letter from Chamber of Commerce
• Invitee company’s registration
• Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of purpose of visit - invitation letter, exhibition or conference pass, etc. 
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document.
• Proof of identification and nationality - PAN card, Adhaar card

Note: If you are willing to keep the original documents with you, you can mail the required originals with their photocopies. The documents must be in English, Greek or Turkish. If they are in any other languages, the documents must be translated from certified translators and attested as well.

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 40 mm x 50 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame - 32 mm x 36 mm. 
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the Cyprus business visa is about 15 days. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the Consular office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters. An additional factor that might affect if there is a requirement document attestation for commercial documents. 

The visa fee is paid at the time of application. It must be paid in cash and in INR. It is paid for the processing of the documents and the verification of the data. It is also important to note that the Consulate does not accept ₹500 notes.

At the time of submission of the documents, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind -

• The documents to be submitted must be in good condition and there is no need for an appointment for the submission. 
• The completely filled and signed visa application form can be submitted to the visa application centre or directly to the Consulate. 
• The application form must be submitted in person. 
• If in case you are more than 200 miles (300 km) away from the Consulate, or if you do not have access to a nearby visa application centre, you can mail the documents through a registered courier service. 
• If you are mailing the documents, you must make sure to mail them in a special envelope and the parcel must be self-addressed and prepaid so that you can get your documents and passport back safely. 
• You must also make sure to submit the application at least 15 days prior to the date of travel.
• If there are any changes to be made in the form, the Consulate must be informed in time.
• If there is a change of plans and you need to cancel the application, the Consulate must be informed accordingly.

Cyprus business visa is acquired through an offline process, therefore, the status of the processing of the visa can be checked by confirming with the visa application centre or by calling the Consulate. You just have to contact the Consulate, make sure you have your visa application number with you as this is required to check the status.

When the visa application process is completed successfully and you have the stamp on your passport, there are certain measures that are to be taken, for instance -

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Cyprus within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.

• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.

• When you enter Cyprus

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The business visa does not permit you to employ the residents or reside in the country.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.