The application for the issue of Entry, Residence and Employment (work) permits are submitted by the Employer (not by the employee). The application is submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department.

Together with the application, you need to submit the Employment Contract, certified by the Department of Labor of the Ministry of Employment and Social Insurances.

Duration of Work Permit – 

Generally, the maximum period of a non-EU citizen to live and work in Cyprus is 4 years. However, the following employees are exempted from this limitation:

• highly skilled personnel employed in companies with substantial annual turnover;
• executive directors, middle-management staff, executive staff and other key personnel working in companies of foreign interests (requires at least 50% of the company’s share capital to belong to a non-Cyprus citizen or, its’ direct foreign capital investment to be at least €171.000) – minimum salary requirements apply;
• qualified nurses, registered in Cyprus for the practice of such nurse profession;
• athletes and coaches of individual or team sports;

religious icon painters (for particular projects).

Applications for the issue of entry and work permits in general categories of employment are submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department by the intended employer, through the respective District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police, on condition that the foreigners are abroad. The applications should be accompanied by a work contract stamped by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. The said Ministry is competent to examine whether regarding the specific profession or job there are no available or adequately qualified Cypriots and then to make a recommendation for employment of aliens. The applications are forwarded to the Civil Registry and Migration Department and after they are examined and it is established that there is nothing against the foreigners which prevents their entry into Cyprus, the relevant entry and work permits are issued.

• Application on forms M.58 and M.64
• A photocopy of foreigner’s passport
• A clean criminal record certificate of the foreigner
• Medical certificates of the foreigner
• A Bank letter of guarantee for 200-500 Cyprus Pounds, depending on the country of origin of the foreigner, to cover possible repatriation expenses, valid for six months after the expiration of the work contract
• A work contract, stamped by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and stamped with a revenue stamp from the Revenue Stamps Registrar.

A fee of 20 Cyprus Pounds for submission of application

For the renewal of the Temporary Residence and Work Permit of the foreigners, it is necessary to submit an application on form M.61 through the District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police and to pay a fee of 20 Cyprus Pounds. Before the submission of the application the foreigner is registered at the District Aliens and Immigration Branch of the Police. For this registration the foreigner’s passport, three photographs of his/her and a fee of 20 Cyprus Pounds should be presented.