Cyprus Pre-Departure Guide
Your complete checklist and guide for all essential preparations before traveling to Cyprus for your studies.
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Example plan. Your own dates depend on your offer and your entry permit (also called the blue slip), the paper your university applies for before you travel.
Getting Ready for Cyprus
Getting ready for the Republic of Cyprus means four things: your entry permit, money (in euros, €), housing and insurance.
Start Early
What to Prepare
- Entry permit: Your university applies to the Migration Department (the Cyprus government office for permits) for you. The entry permit lets you enter Cyprus.
- Money: Have at least €7,000 in your account for the last month before you apply. Carry €2,000 in cash for the airport. After you arrive, keep at least €800 in a Cyprus bank account. These are different amounts for different steps.
- Housing: A rental contract for one year, which you need for your residence permit (the card that lets you stay while you study).
- Health insurance: A plan that covers hospital stays, doctor visits and sending your body home if you die.
When to Do It
Right after your offer
Get apostille stamps (an official stamp that proves a paper is real; India and Pakistan both use it), a police certificate and medical tests.
About 3 months before you fly
Send your papers to your university for the entry permit.
When your entry permit comes
Book your flight and your room.
Within 7 days of landing
Hand in your residence permit papers.
Your University's List Comes First
Each university has its own list of papers and its own fees.
Follow the list from your university's international office.
Before You Fly: Short Checklist
The key things to have ready before you leave.
Papers
Passport valid for at least 2 years
And for at least the length of your studies.
Entry permit (blue slip)
Your university emails you a scan.
Acceptance letter
You show it at the airport.
Money
€2,000 in cash
Not needed with a scholarship of 50% or more, or a full scholarship.
First fees paid
The fees your university asks for before it applies for your entry permit.
Housing and health
A room booked
You need a rental contract for your residence permit.
Health insurance plan
Needed for your residence permit.
Full List
Guides for Before You Fly
Step-by-step guides for each part of getting ready.
Staying Connected
Get a Cyprus phone number soon after you land.
Mobile Phones & Internet
Mobile Phone Options
Prepaid SIM
Cyta is a Cyprus phone company. Its prepaid SIM cards are called soeasy. You pay first, then use them. You must register your number with your ID.
Important Contacts & Resources
Emergency Contacts in Cyprus
Call 112 or 199 for police, fire or an ambulance.
Save These Contacts Before Departure
Your university's international office
Your main contact for your entry permit and residence permit.
Tips Before You Fly
Get your police certificate and medical tests close to your application date. The police certificate is valid for 6 months. The medical tests are valid for 4 months.
Put an apostille on each original paper. India and Pakistan both use it.
Email scans to your university first. Post the originals only when it confirms.
Do not book a flight until you have your entry permit.
Fly into Larnaca or Paphos. Do not fly into an airport in the north of the island. The Republic of Cyprus does not accept it as a legal way in.
Keep your passport, entry permit copy and acceptance letter in your hand luggage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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