Living and working in Cyprus comes with a multitude of benefits. The country has one of the lowest tax rates in Europe and is leading in the tourism, energy, and service sectors. IT, engineering, and telecommunications are in high demand as well.
You’ll experience the unique Mediterranean culture and a year-round satisfying climate. While it would be best to learn Greek, a majority of businesses in Cyprus use English, so you can expect a multicultural community.
The following guide includes relevant information on obtaining a Cyprus work visa, including who needs it and how to apply for it.
Do I need a work visa in Cyprus?
Foreign nationals who wish to take up paid employment in Cyprus must apply for a work visa, except:
- Citizens of other EU states
- Citizens of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland
Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2014. Through the union’s agreement, other nationals of EU and EFTA states are free to live and work in Cyprus.
What are the requirements to apply for a work visa in Cyprus?
You must meet both eligibility and documentary requirements to get a work visa in Cyprus. In general, a Cyprus-based company must prove that the position you’re applying to cannot be filled by locals or other EU nationals.
A Cypriot/ Cyprus-based company can employ foreigners in these categories:
- Directors and managers with a minimum gross monthly salary of €4000
- Middle-management executives with a minimum gross monthly salary of €2000
- Specialists and technologists (engineers and software professionals) with a minimum gross monthly salary of €2000
- Support staff and other occupations when then are no qualified Cypriots for the position
Once the above eligibility conditions are met, you can start preparing the following basic documents:
- Visa application form
- Work contract validated by the Department of Labor
- Passport valid for three months after your planned stay
- Photocopy of your valid passport
- Two passport-sized photographs taken in the last three months
- Medical certificate
- Travel health insurance
- Round-trip ticket reservation
- Police records (proof of no criminal records)
- Proof of sufficient financial means (bank account statement or sponsorship)
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of educational background
- Proof of professional qualifications or work experience
Secure multiple copies of these documents since they will be requested in different parts of the application process.
Also, note that depending on where you’re from, there may be country-specific requirements you might need. Any document not in the English language must be accompanied by translations.
If you plan to bring your family with you, you must review the eligibility requirements for family reunification in Cyprus.
Check Also: Available Programs for International Students
Steps on Applying for a Work Visa in Cyprus
Before you apply for a work visa in Cyprus, you must already have a potential employer. They are in charge of petitioning for a work permit on your behalf, which is a prerequisite for a work visa. Then, your work visa authorizes you to enter Cyprus, where you must get a residence permit upon arrival.
In addition, the application process can take several days to a few months, so it is best to start early to avoid delays. Three to six months before your intended arrival in Cyprus is an amenable timeframe.
Here’s a more detailed guide you can follow:
1. Sign a work contract
A Cypriot company is in charge of filing petitions if ever they are hiring foreign workers. Once you have signed a work contract with a Cypriot employer, they will apply for authorization with the Cyprus Department of Labor.
If the request is approved, your employer will receive a Letter of Recommendation, which will be used to apply for your work visa for Cyprus. This letter proves there are no individuals in Cyprus currently available for the position you’re applying for.
2. Obtain a work permit
With the issued letter of recommendation, your employer will request a work permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department. You and your employer will also submit the list of documents above (except for the visa application form).
It will take four to six weeks from the receipt of your documents before you hear a result. But once it is approved, you will receive your work permit, and you can proceed to the visa application.
3. Apply for a visa at the Cyprus embassy
Schedule an appointment with the Cyprus embassy, consulate, or representative organization in your country of residence. You can check this list of accredited diplomatic missions from the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Accomplish the Cyprus work visa application form. Have it printed, paste a passport-size photograph, and sign it. Contact them for any country-specific requirements you should add to the list above. Bring all these documents along with your visa application form on the day of the appointment.
The mission may conduct a short interview with you regarding the purpose of your visit. You will also submit a photograph, signature, and digital scan of individual fingerprints. Furthermore, you need to pay visa processing fees amounting to 24 USD for a single application.
4. Collect your work visa
Generally, it takes five to ten working days for the mission to process your application. Wait for a notification (e-mail, regular mail, or text message) when you can pick up your Cyprus work visa. Once you obtain your work visa, you are free to travel to Cyprus.
5. Apply for a residence permit
Your Cyrpus work visa is simply an authorization to enter Cyprus borders for work purposes. Your work permit allows you to engage in a paid activity. This time, you will apply for a residence permit to stay or live legally in the country.
Within seven days of your arrival in Cyprus, you must register with a local district office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit. You can also do this at a local police station or the central office of the Civil Registry and Migration Department if you are in Nicosia.
Department authorities will confirm your identity by reviewing your passport and other documents. They will take your signature and biometrics again, as well. Once everything is verified, you will receive your residence permit in card form.
Your residence permit’s validity depends on the duration of your work contract but is otherwise renewable.
We hope that this article on how to get a work visa in Cyprus was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
