Category F status

[lewism1]

Hi

When is Category F PR status valid from. I have registered and paid the fee at Limasol Immigration and have got a Certificate with a registration number on it.

I have been to Paphos Immigration to have my photo and my finger prints taken (Biometrics) but I do not have the laminated card back with the Biometrics on. At the time of submitting the Biometrics (Mar 2021) I was told that the authorities were just processing 2019! and they had no idea when I might get a card. To date (May 2023) I still have no laminated card containing my Biometrics.

My question is : Is Cat F status based on the laminated card? I have a certificate, with a registration number on it, I have paid the fee (which the authorities have had since March 2021). How long am I supposed to wait for a card?

Any knowledge/experience of Cat F would be appreciated

Thanks

Mark

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi Mark and welcome to the forum

I was at a meeting a couple of months ago with the British High Commissioner and his staff in Paphos. The problem of long delays with the immigration department was raised and is due to the overwhelming number of Brits resident in Paphos..

You have a certificate with a number on it. Can you describe it to me? What colour is the paper, does it have a form number at the top right of the certificate.

To get a biometric card, you must have been resident in Cyprus before Brexit and will have had a MEU1 or MEU3.

Providing you have a certificate, there's nothing to worry about.

Regards,

[lewism1]

Hi Nigel

Thanks for the reply. The colour of the Certificate is Yellow and has ARC1 in the corner.

It is titled and Immigration Certificate

Does this help?

Mark

[lewism1]

Hi Nigel

Thanks for the reply. The colour of the Certificate is “Yellow “ and has ARC1 in the corner.

It is titled an “Immigration Certificate “

Does this help?

Mark

[lewism1]

Apologies it is titled an “Aliens Registration Certificate”


Mark

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi Mark

I don't believe you have anything to worry about. It's just a matter of waiting for Cyprus' antediluvian administration processes to run their course.

Regards,

[lewism1]

Thanks Nigel. I’ll wait.

Do you think in the meantime I have Category F or does this only occur when you get the laminated card?

Thanks for all your advice.

Mark

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi Mark

You do not have a 'Category F', you have an “Aliens Registration Certificate”

Regards,

[lewism1]

Hi Mark

You do not have a 'Category F', you have an “Aliens Registration Certificate”

Regards,


Hi Nigel

That’s my dilemma. I have a certificate and are registered but I am being advised that until I get the Laminated Card I do not have Category F status. Which I find strange but people are asking for the Laminated Card, even though I’ve given the Registration Number.

So If I have it or not appears to be dependent on who’s asking and whether they want to see the Laminated card or not.

What do you think?

Mark

[lewism1]

Thanks Nigel

It looks like I’ll have to wait,

Thanks for your advice

Mark