With regards to AIFs please note that applicant must purchase units of at least 2 million euros from eligible alternative investment funds (AIFs) and/or registered alternative investment funds (RAIFs). The eligibility criteria for the AIFs are: established in CY, licensed and supervised by CySec, investing in Cyprus, such investments are in accordance with the naturalization scheme or approved by the Ministry of Finance. Generally speaking, there is the possibility to ask the ministry whether a particular AIF or RAIF is compliant/ eligible. With regards to investment of financial assets of Cyprus companies or Cyprus organizations, the applicant must invest a minimum of 2 million in acquiring, participating in organizations or companies established and operating in Cyprus. Such organizations or companies must have a physical presence in Cyprus, significant activity and turnover, and employ at least five Cypriot nationals or European citizens. Investment in the shipping sector are now eligible based on measurable criteria to be determined by the Ministry of Finance and the shipping department. A multinational with a Cyprus registered branch that fulfills the above requirements is likely to be eligible, provided that a strong business plan is also submitted. Additionally, there are ways of structuring the investments so as to be eligible and relevant meetings with the ministry can be arranged in order to fulfill certain requirements or for the ministry to impose conditions in order to accept the investment. Generally speaking, the ministry is interested to promote serious and strong investments into the economy, so the presentation and the rationale of the structuring is taken into account. Another priority is R&D, so relevant projects will also be strongly considered by the ministry. Please note that a combination of the criteria of investment is also possible, so in this respect hedging is also possible.
