Conditions
To work in Cyprus as a temporary employed worker, you must have:
- an entry permit for the purposes of employment; and
- a temporary residence and employment permit.
Procedures
| Where and how to apply | 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. | |
| Documents required | You must:
Your employer must also provide reasonable accommodation and a bank guarantee in case you are repatriated. |
| Duration of validity of permits | 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:
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| Appeals | You can challenge decisions related to your residence and employment permit before the Administrative Court. |
| Further information | More on working in Cyprus More on applying for a job More on visas |
Rights
| Change of employment | 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 | Long-term residence permit After five years of legal and continuous stay, you can apply for a long-term residence permit. You must show:
Immigration permit If you have been offered permanent employment, which will not create undue local competition, you may apply for an immigration permit. |