The UKW3 Permanent Residence Document is available to eligible UK nationals and their qualifying family members who have acquired or retained residence rights in Cyprus under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and have completed the required five-year period of continuous legal residence.
It provides eligible beneficiaries with a long-term residence status in Cyprus and replaces the temporary residence documentation with a Permanent Residence Document valid for 10 years.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for a UKW3 Permanent Residence Document if you have:
- Acquired residence rights in Cyprus under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement; and
- Completed five years of continuous legal residence in Cyprus.
The UKW3 may apply to:
- UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement;
- Family members of UK nationals who are themselves UK nationals;
- Family members who are third-country nationals, provided that they continue to retain their residence rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
The required five-year period may be established through residence completed before the end of the Brexit transition period, after the transition period, or through a combination of periods before and after the transition period, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Existing MEU Residence Documents
Holders of existing MEU1, MEU2 or MEU3 documents may, where the applicable conditions are satisfied, apply for a permanent residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement.
In particular:
- Holders of MEU1 Registration Certificates may qualify after completing the required five-year period of continuous residence;
- Holders of MEU2 Residence Cards may qualify after completing the required five-year period of continuous residence;
- Holders of an MEU3 Permanent Residence Card may choose to convert their existing permanent residence document into a UKW3 Permanent Residence Document.
Eligibility and the relevant residence period depend on the individual circumstances of each applicant.
How does the UKW3 application process work?
01 — Eligibility Assessment
We review your residence history and existing immigration documentation to establish whether you have completed the required five-year period and qualify for permanent residence under the Withdrawal Agreement.
02 — Application Preparation
The MUKW3 application is prepared together with the documentation required by the Cyprus Migration Department.
Documents issued outside Cyprus must be properly certified or authenticated and, where required, officially translated.
03 — Submission
The application is submitted to the competent authority in Cyprus.
The applicant’s photograph, fingerprints and signature are collected as part of the biometric registration process.
For applicants under the age of six, fingerprints and signature are not required.
04 — Examination
The competent authorities examine the application and the evidence of residence.
Additional information or documentation may be requested where necessary.
05 — Permanent Residence Document
Following approval, the applicant receives notification regarding the collection/receipt of the UKW3 Permanent Residence Document.
Application Fee
€30 per applicant
Validity
The UKW3 Permanent Residence Document is issued with a validity of 10 years.
Following expiry, it may be renewed for further 10-year periods upon application and payment of the applicable €30 fee.
Why UKW3?
The UKW3 provides eligible beneficiaries with a permanent residence status in Cyprus under the Withdrawal Agreement after completing the required five-year period of continuous legal residence.
It offers greater long-term security than the initial UKW1 or UKW2 residence documents and provides official evidence of the beneficiary’s permanent residence rights in Cyprus.
Have you completed five years of residence in Cyprus?
If you are a UK national or family member protected under the Withdrawal Agreement, we can review your residence history and determine whether you qualify for UKW3 Permanent Residence.