Conditions
To work as a highly-skilled worker in Cyprus, you must have a residence and employment permit.
You may be employed in any company of foreign interests, including international companies, under the following categories:
(a) Executive Directors:
- Directors or partners of the registered company;
- General managers of subsidiaries and branches;
- Department managers of business companies.
The minimum acceptable monthly salary for Executive Directors is € 3,872. The amounts may be adjusted according to fluctuations in the salary index.
The maximum number of Executive Directors that can be employed in an eligible company is five, unless otherwise justified.
(b) Middle-management staff, executive staff and other key personnel (including directors who are not considered to be executive directors)
The minimum acceptable monthly salary for this category is 1,936 EUR. The amounts may be adjusted according to fluctuations in the salary index.
The maximum number of persons from this category that can be employed in an eligible company is ten, unless otherwise justified.
Procedures
| Where and how to apply | An application for a residence and employment permit to work in any company of foreign interests, including international companies must be submitted to the Director of the Civil Registry and Migration Department. After consultations with other relevant authorities, the Director will decide whether or not to grant you a permit. |
| Documents required | Your application must be accompanied by:
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| Duration of validity of permits | Permits are issued for a period not exceeding two years. Please note that there are no restrictions for the total residence period of highly-skilled employees. |
| Appeals | You can challenge decisions related to your residence and employment permit before the Administrative Court. |
| Further information | More on employment of highly-skilled workers |
Rights
| Change of employment | Work permits are tied to a specific employer. Change of employer is feasible with a release paper or termination letter. |
| Change of status | You are permitted to change status if all conditions are met. |
| 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 Persons who intend to work at a specific company of foreign interest or as self-employed in a profession or science in Cyprus may apply for an immigration permit, provided that they have academic or professional qualifications which are in demand in Cyprus. |