If you are looking for an affordable country with a warm climate and a rich cultural background,
then you should consider Cyprus.
Cyprus is one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, which makes it a top choice for
immigrants from across the world. The country boasts an international working environment and
incredibly lower tax rates than most countries in the EU.
To live and work in Cyprus, you’ll need to get a Cyprus work permit unless, of course, you’re a
citizen of one of the EU member states. Keep reading to find out the type of visa you’ll need, the
requirements you must meet and the application processes involved.
What Type of Visa is Required to Work in Cyprus?
To relocate and work in Cyprus, you’ll need a Cyprus work permit, a Cyprus work visa, and a
Cyprus residence permit.
- Cyprus Work Permit: this visa authorizes you to work in Cyprus, however, you cannot
apply for it yourself, your employer in Cyprus has to do so on your behalf before you
leave your home country.
- Cyprus Work Visa: this allows you to enter Cyprus for employment and long-term
residence.
- Cyprus Residence Permit: if your stay in Cyprus lasts for more than 90 days, then you
must get a Cyprus residence permit if you want to stay in Cyprus for a longer time than
that.
Cyprus Work Permit: Application Process and Requirements
Citizens of countries which are members of the EU/EEA/EFTA including citizens of
Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland, are allowed entry into Cyprus with a visa.
Aside from these, Cyprus requires all other foreign immigrants to have their work permits before
travelling down to the country. Click here to see if your country requires a work permit before
entry.
To get a work permit, your employer must be able to prove that the position for which you are
being employed could not otherwise have been filled by a Cypriot or citizen of the EU/EFTA.
That being said, if you’re a non-EU citizen, it’s easier for you to get employed by a multinational
company operating in Cyprus than a Cyprus-owned business.
Some of the positions eligible for a Cyprus work permit are:
- Executive director with a minimum annual salary of €41,000.
- Middle-level management staff such as directors, mid-level managers, and technical or clerical staff with a minimum annual salary of €21,000 to €40,000.
- Supporting staff, these workers who do not fall in either of the previous categories.
How To Get A Cyprus Work Permit: Application Process
As we mentioned earlier, your employer is responsible for applying for a work permit on your
behalf. This means that for you to obtain a Cyprus work permit, you must first have a work
contract with a Cypriot-owned or Cypriot-based company. The process of getting a work permit
includes:
●Receiving Approval From The Cyprus Department of Labor: once you have been
employed and have signed a work contract with the company, your employer will then
apply for approval from the Department of Labor. If the Department of Labor approves,
they’ll issue a recommendation letter which your employer will use to apply for your work
permit.
●Applying For The Cyprus Work Permit At The Civil Registry And Migration
Department: with the recommendation letter, your employer must then apply for a work
permit on your behalf at the Civil Registry And Migration Department. The process of
getting your work permit can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks from the time the
Migration office receives your documents. In some cases, however, it can take up to 6
months.
Requirements For A Cyprus Work Permit
To get a Cyprus work permit, you and your employer must provide the following:
- Application forms that have been filled, signed and stamped by your employer. This includes- Form M58 (application for issuing entrance into Cyprus) and Form M68 (application for issuing work authorization).
- Photocopies of relevant pages from your passport including personal information, issue/expiry date, and previous visas. Also, note that your passport must be valid for at least as long as your employment contract lasts.
- Your original employment contract.
- Original medical certificate issued within the last 4 months showing results of Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
- Original certificate of police clearance issued by police authorities in your home country, issued within the past 6 months.
- Your employer’s company tax clearance certificate.
- A statement of the number of existing staff and new applicants in your employer’s company.
- Bank guarantee letter showing that your employer has paid the guarantee for you. This
- typically costs about €350 – €850 depending on your country. And the guarantee has to be valid for at least 12 months from the start date of your employment.
- Cyprus work permit visa application fee.
- Proof of health insurance. You’ll need to get travel health insurance when applying for a work permit.
How To Get A Cyprus Work Visa: Application Process And Requirements
After you have obtained your work permit, the next thing to do is apply for a Cyprus work visa.
Note that you cannot apply for a work visa without a work permit. The Cyprus work visa is what
allows you entry into the country for employment.
To get the Cyprus work visa you must
1 . Locate the Cyprus embassy or consulate in your home country or the one nearest to you
2 . Contact them to book an appointment and make enquiries about their specific visa
requirements.
3 . Gather the following documents
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- A valid passport.
- Certificate of police certificate.
- Certificate of medical clearance.
- Proof of financial means showing that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay.
- Your work contract with the seal of the Department of Labour.
- Travel health insurance
- Any other documents requested by the Cyprus embassy in your country.
4 . Wait for your visa to be processed. This can take about 5- 10 working days or sometimes
longer than that depending on your country.
5. Once you get the work visa, you can start making arrangements for flights and
accommodation.
How To Get A Cyprus Residence Permit: Application Process And Requirements
Source: Jake’s Embbasy
Upon arrival in Cyprus, you are expected to register with the local District Office of Aliens and
Immigration Unit of the Police Department or the central offices of the Civil Registry and
Migration Department of Nicosia to get your residence permit. You must do this within seven
days of arriving in the country. The Cyprus work visa is just an entry visa and is valid for only 90
days so if you want to live in Cyprus, you must get a residence permit.
There are three types of the Cyprus residence permit-
- Cyprus Temporary Residence
- Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit
- Cyprus Immigration Permits
Cyprus Temporary Residence Permit
This residence permit is valid for one year and is renewable every year. It is issued to
immigrants coming for work, study or family reunification in Cyprus. To obtain a temporary
residence permit based on employment, you must meet the following requirements.
- Filled and signed the temporary residence permit application form
- Work permit and work visa
- Proof of accommodation in Cyprus
- Medical certificate issued within the past 4 months showing results for tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
- Proof of financial means
- Proof of health insurance
- Bank guarantee
- Photocopy of your passport’s relevant pages (personal information, issue/expiry date,
previous visas).
Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit
This permit is valid for 5 years and can be renewed annually. To get a permanent residence
permit, you must meet the following conditions.
- You must have lived in Cyprus with a temporary residence permit for at least 5 years during this period you must not have travelled out of Cyprus for more than three months.
- You must have an ongoing work contract for a minimum of 18 months.
- If you purchase property in Cyprus worth €300,000. This is also known as the fast track option and it comes with other specific requirements such as a €30,000 deposit frozen in
a Cyprus bank for three years, a minimum annual income of €30,000, an additional
€5,000 or €8,000 for your spouse, children or parents that are dependent on you and a
clean criminal record.
Cyprus Immigration Permits
You can also live and work in Cyprus with a Cyprus immigration permit if you fall under any of
the other following categories.
A.Foreign nationals who are self-employed in the agricultural sector including cattle and
fish breeding who have land or means to get one and whose activities do not negatively
affect the Cyprus economy.
B.Foreign nationals who are self-employed in the mining sector with sufficient financial
means and relative permits, whose activities do not negatively affect the Cyprus
economy.
C.Foreign nationals who are self-employed in a profession or trade with sufficient financial
means and relative permits.
D.Foreign nationals who have been offered a permanent work position in Cyprus, whose
presence does not cause unnecessary local competition
E.Foreign nationals who will be self-employed in the scientific field or a profession which is
in demand in Cyprus.
F.Foreign nationals who have an independent annual income enough to provide for a
comfortable living while in Cyprus without having to work e.g (retirees).
How To Apply For A Cyprus Residence Permit
If you’re applying for a temporary residence permit, you must do so within seven days of your
arrival in the country. Depending on your location, you can apply at the Civil Registry and
Migration Department if you will be living in the Nicosia District or at the District Immigration
Office if you will be living in another district. To apply for the Cyprus permanent residence permit
and immigration permits, you must do so at the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
When you apply, the immigration authorities will take your picture and fingerprints (biometrics).
The application process usually lasts for about 4 months, and if your application is approved,
they will contact you to come and receive your residence card.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I renew my Cyprus Residence Permit?
To renew your residence permit, you must apply at the same place you received the permit for
the first time, and you must do so at least one month before it expires.
- How much is the visa application fee?
Depending on the kind of visa you’re applying for, the cost could range from €70 to €150. Click
here for more details.
- When can I apply for Cyprus citizenship?
You can apply to become a citizen of Cyprus if you’ve lived in the country for at least 7 years,
you’re over the age of 21, have a clean criminal record and have lived in Cyprus continuously in
the year preceding the application.
Conclusion
We hope you find the information in this post helpful to get you started on your relocation
journey to Cyprus. For more information on the visa requirements and application processes,
please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
.
Please note that the information in this post was based on the work visa requirements and
application processes for the Republic of Cyprus (Southern Cyprus).
Want to study in Cyprus? Find out more information here.
For information on the work visa requirements and application processes for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, please visit the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
