Employed worker in Cyprus

Application for employment 

Initially the employer applies to the District Labour Offices of the Department of Labour- Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance with a job vacancy. A labour market test is carried out to evaluate whether there are no suitably qualified local or European workers to fill the particular job vacancy.

If the job vacancy is not filled, the employer may submit an application for a non-EU national. When a positive answer by the Labour Department has been secured, specified employment contracts are signed and stamped.

Entry and Temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment

Following the above, the employer submits an application for an entry and residence permit for the non-EU national to the Civil Registry and Migration Department or through the District Aliens and Immigration Units of the Police.

You must:

• undergo a medical examination;
• present a certificate of criminal record;
• present a valid passport;
• accompany your application with an employment contract duly stamped by the Labour Office.

Your employer must also provide reasonable accommodation and a bank guarantee in case you are repatriated.

Your residence and employment permit is granted for a maximum period of four years.

Your residence and employment permit is not granted to a maximum period, for the following jobs:

1. In the sector of farming and agriculture
2. Domestic Work
3. Specialty cooks and chefs
4. Priests
5. Tourist representatives

Your permit is tied to a specific employer.

You have the right to change up to 3 employers,  provided you remain in the same sector and occupation and that your former employer issues a release agreement and holds an approval from the Labour Department to employ a non-EU national. A new employment contract must be signed and stamped.

The only change of sector that is allowed is for someone who works as a domestic worker to be transferred to the sectors of farming and agriculture.

After changing 3 employers, your residence and employment permit will not be renewed, unless you leave the Republic for at least two years, before you re-enter again for working purposes.

Long-term residence permit

After five years of legal and continuous stay, you can apply for a long-term residence permit.

You must show:

• stable financial means;
• health insurance;
• that you have not secured residence by fraud.

Immigration permit

If you have been offered permanent employment, which will not create undue local competition, you may apply for an immigration permit.

More on immigration permits