yellow slip validity
We obtained our meu1 in january 2019, but for health reasons moved back to uk in december 2019, but now looking to move back in the next few months, is our yellow slip still valid, , or do we need to apply again, hoppe someone has the answer.
Thanks
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Meu3 holders can be off the island for upto 5 years without impact
Reason : Foul language
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Please let us know聽 how you get on
I hold residence permits for Bulgaria and Spain. I was entitled to permanent residence in Cyprus (having been resident since 2008), but like you, I could not get back to Cyprus to file my paperwork in time. In fact, I'd booked flights and they were cancelled by the airline due to the Covid Crisis.
I had been planning to come over in June, after my 2nd vaccination, and plead my case too. But, upon reflection, I decided it's not necessary for me as I will be able to submit my application for permanent residence in Bulgaria next year (2022).
For EU citizens (as we were before Brexit), the initial residence permit is granted for 5 years. After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence.
The initial permit allows you to live/work in only the specified country. Which is why you might need additional residence permits, if you want to work/study in a second EU country.
The permanent residence permit is much more valuable, as it gives you the right to "freedom of movement" to live/work/retire in any EU country, and, as such, is almost the same as holding an EU passport. Nevertheless, the EU formalities still require you to ask for a residence permit when you relocate to another country (but it's easy).
The initial (or "temporary") residence permit can be held in multiple countries. But the permanent (or "long term") residence permit can only be held in one EU country.
I don't think it's an issue for you as you love Cyprus, and probably won't ever leave! :-)
However, Freedom of Movement is one of the cornerstones of the whole EU project, and it is extended to BOTH EU nationals (i.e. you hold a passport from an EU member state) AND non-EU permanent residents (i.e. you hold a passport from a non-EU country, such as UK, together with a permanent residence permit - called a "Long Term Resident's EC Residence Permit" - issued in any EU country).
Many think their initial ("temporary") residence permit allows freedom of movement, but, unforunately, it doesn't. (It is a proof of residence in an EU country so it certainly shouldn't hurt when travelling or relocating within the EU.)
A couple of helpful EU legal paragraphs (from the Directives relating to Freedom of Movement) are:
"Member States shall grant long-term resident status to third-country nationals who have resided legally and continuously within its territory for five years immediately prior to the submission of the relevant application."
"The status as long-term resident shall be permanent subject to Article 9. The expiry of a long-term resident's EC residence permit shall in no case entail withdrawal or loss of long-term resident status."
"...a person... who holds a long-term residence permit should be granted... a set of uniform rights which are as near as possible to those enjoyed by citizens of the European Union."
"A long-term resident may reside in a second Member State... when the long-term resident exercises his/her right of residence in a second member state... the members of his/her family... shall be authorized to accompany or to join the long-term resident."
I know this post is about MEU1, but I wanted to know if it is different to the new MUKW1.
We were told by estate agents and a few locals that the MEU1 used to expire every year and then became valid for life.
More importantly - You could maintain validity by making sure that you never left Cyprus for more than 6 months at a time, and there was no minimum stay.
We had to delay our arrival due to Cyprus banning all U.K. flights in mid 2020, and got here at the end of November and applied for the MEU1.
Our appointment was not until February as immigration was swamped.
To cut a long story short, we could not make the appointment and had to reschedule.
We were told that we had to apply for MUKW1 as even though we had 鈥淎pplied鈥 for the interview prior to BREXIT, you had to have the interview before 31st December to have 鈥淎pplied鈥 - Booking the interview does not count.聽 Apparently thousands like us.
We feel cheated as It is not our fault immigration could not fit us in prior to end of December - They were just swamped with those who had not bothered to obtain the paperwork.
At this point we only want to spend the minimum 3 or 4 months a year, but as the MUKW1 expires in 5 years, I am not sure if we can re-apply for it.
As you need 5 years worth of rental receipts, bills etc - Having the MEU1 for life would have suited us better.
No one seems to know a lot about it - All I have read is that it is the U.K. withdrawal equivalent of the old MEU1.
I just wanted to know about how often and for how long you had to stay in Cyprus, once issued.
The new cards have I think 10 yrs
Visa for stays longer than 90 days 鈧70 each for one year- Renewable each year
Once you have held meu1 for 5 years you could apply for permanent residency meu3 but without it being mandatory to do so.聽 Now it seems that should you fail to apply for it when聽 5 years elapse you are liable to a 鈧2500 fine
The new card is a biometric card and has your fingerprint and like all non Eu nationals applies different conditions and confers different rights聽 to Eu nationals.
As I understand it those who applied before the cut off get covered by the wa agreement those who don鈥檛 are not covered by the wa
As for absences from Cyprus I don鈥檛 think聽 that has changed much meu1 or equivalent聽 temporary residency allows upto 6 months out whereas meu3 or equivalent permanent residency allows upto 5 years out
We are in the same boat. Lived in Cyprus nearly seven years came back 2019 for family emergency and been stuck here since due to covid.聽 Have u found out anything else? We need to return soon I hooe and want to keep our MEU1 too.
see this link regarding this and brexit
I know the link is for MEU3 (and also refers to it being applicable to EU nationals) - but the detail for meu3 absences is valid for meu1 holders too ie max absence of 6 months before automatic expiry occurs.... how they know or identify or check this I dont know....聽
see note 2 regarding absences
see note 10 in the link regarding fines if meu3 is not applied for at the appropriate time
Much will depend on how your original residency application was made
who you get at customs/passport control
how strict they are
whether theyve had a good day or not
Please let us know how you get on as this is an interesting聽 one
My name is Wayne yes if you have A MEU1 and you been away for longer than the 6months unless you have property there then you will need too show you have been going too Cyprus longer than 5years then you can apply for a MEU5 that one you can be out of the country for 5years but the MEU1 is only 6monthes I been away now for 3yesrs and finding it hard too use my MEU1 yellow slip if you wish too chat then happy too chat on phone if you wish too have more help.
Thanks
Wayne
When Uk was in the EU the rules were very much relaxed as nobody really bothered and still dont for EU nationals - however brexit put paid to that relaxation for British passport holders
Uk are now TCNs by choice (well not really for miillions) and the rules are very much different now lots of things have changed and impact upon us....
Just a thought, why not just come to Cyprus on your British passport, they never asked for my residency permit on entry or exit ever as an EU national and there is no link on your residency permit to the passport under which you applied for it they cant stop you entering Cyprus as a tourist anyway and once you are here resolve the immigration issue in the 90 days window... you might just find that they will understand the mitigating circumstances of your absence just have any and all proof with you of those circumstances.
Whats the worst that can happen聽 聽- you get in for 90 days and have to reapply within that time as a TCN, or apply for a long stay visa each year at 鈧70...聽 you never know you might just get lucky..
good luck
As an EU national the allowable absences of 6months (meu1) and 5 yrs (meu3) were and still are largely ignored but as a TCN are likely to be be enforced...
Even with the pink slip long stay visa for upto one year it has to be renewed and can count towards obtaining PR... but be aware once you leave it will be cancelled聽 and should you do it again it is likely to be for a shorter period than a year
I shan鈥檛 be coming before early 22. Travelling is precarious again and talk of a fourth fifth wave in Eu. Seems insane Cyorus dies t recognise this a d allow people leeway or exemption. What do u think, can鈥檛 even get appointments in Cyprus until February. T will be difficult this winter all over.
Question is have you been absent from the island for two years or even one year? 2019 we came to uk and then pandemic hit early 2020 when we were about to return.
Good luck
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