Sponsor's requirements

According to the Aliens and Immigration Law, third-country nationals who reside legally in the Republic have the right to family reunification with their family members who are third-party nationals, under the following basic conditions:

• They reside legally in the Republic for a period of at least two (2) years. Exceptions:
  - The Director of the Department has the discretion, in case the sponsor is employed by a company within the meaning of the Companies Law which is approved to employ foreign personnel, not to require a previous residence of at least two (2) years from the sponsor.
  - This condition excludes sponsors who hold an intra-corporate transfer permit or a long-term mobility permit in the context of an intra-corporate transfer issued by Cyprus.
  - This condition excludes sponsors who hold a researcher permit or a long-term mobility researcher permit issued by Cyprus.
• They are holders of residence permits valid for at least one (1) year. Exceptions:
  - This condition excludes sponsors who hold an intra-corporate transfer permit or a long-term mobility permit in the context of an intra-corporate transfer issued by Cyprus, meaning the application for family reunification can be submitted and examined at the same time as the application for the sponsor's permit.
  This condition excludes sponsors who hold a researcher or a long-term mobility researcher permit issued by Cyprus; That is, the application for family reunification can be submitted and examined at the same time as the application for obtaining the sponsor's permit.
• They have a reasonable prospect of acquiring the right of permanent residence in the Republic. Exceptions:
  - This condition excludes sponsors who hold an intra-corporate transfer permit or a long-term mobility in the context of an intra-corporate transfer issued by Cyprus.This condition excludes sponsors who hold a researcher permit or a long-term mobility researcher permit issued by Cyprus.

Family members covered
i. The sponsor's spouse, provided that the marriage took place at least one (1) year before the submission of the application for family reunification. The spouse must be at least 21 years of age.
ii. The minor children of the sponsor and his/her spouse, including children adopted in accordance with a decision taken by a competent authority in the Republic or with a decision recognizing an adoption of another country or with a decision automatically enforceable under the international obligations of the Republic.
iii. Minor children, including adopted children of the sponsor - as defined paragraph (ii) above, where the sponsor has sole custody and the children are dependent on him/ her.
iv. Minor children, including adopted children of the sponsor’s spouse - as defined paragraph (ii) above, where the spouse has sole custody and the children are dependent on him/ her.

The minor children referred to in points (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, must be under the age of 18 and must not be married.