The following is from the Britishi High Commission Consular Section:
24th April 2012
Dear Sir/Madam,
REGISTRATION AND IDENTITY CARDS
Following extensive discussions with the Ministry of the Interior (Department of Immigration), we have now received the following written guidance from them.
“Identity Cards are no longer issued to non Cypriot nationals, i.e. EU citizens or third country nationals legally residing in the Republic of Cyprus.
Persons of Cyprus origin (i.e. dual British/Cypriot nationals) are entitled to obtain an Identity Card only when they acquire Cypriot nationality by registering under the Civil Registry Law No 141(I)/2002.
Identity Cards, previously issued to non Cypriot nationals, were never a substitute for: a Temporary Residence Permit; a Certificate of Registration (MEU1); a Residence Card; a Certificate/Card of Permanent Residence (MEU3); or an Immigration Permit, which are the only documents ensuring the legal residence of non Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus.
EU citizens need to register once to ensure their legal residence in the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with Article 39(2) of Law (L. 7(1)/2007) which was published in harmonization of EU Directive 38/2004.
All Residence Cards issued according to previous laws transposing other EU Directives are valid until their expiry date. On expiry, EU citizens should apply for a Registration Certificate in accordance with L.7(1)/2007.
EU nationals holding any form of Resident or Immigration Permit without an expiry date do not need to re-register or reapply for a Registration Certificate, provided that none of the cancellation reasons listed below are applicable:
According to Regulation 5 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations issued under the Aliens and Immigration Law (Cap. 105), a foreigner (an EU citizen or a third country national) can apply to obtain an Immigration Permit in the Republic. This permit will not be considered to be valid if the person concerned fails to acquire permanent residence in Cyprus within one year from the day of the approval of application. It will also be cancelled if the person acquires permanent residence in another country or be absent from Cyprus for a period of two years.”
More detailed information on this issue is available in Greek and in English on the Immigration Department’s web page at moi.gov.cy, under the various categories of residence permits for EU and third country nationals. This information can also be found on the British High Commission Website on www.ukincyprus.gov.uk. For information on the European Commission in Cyprus go to ec.europa.eu/Cyprus.
I hope this is of assistance.
Yours faithfully
Christina Smith
Vice Consul
I suggest that if this raises any questions, you direct these to:
Consular Section
Alexander Pallis Street
PO Box 21978
Nicosia
Tel: +357 22861100
Fax:+357 22861200
[email protected]
All the best
