Procedure for application submission for entry and residence, processing time and maximum duration of residence
Entry permit
In order for a third-country national to enter the Republic for work purposes, no matter who the employer will be and the kind of job, the third-country national is obliged to obtain an entry permit as per the provisions of the Legislation.
Athletes/Coaches of Individual and Team Sports, priests, and tourist representatives are excluded from the procedure for an entry permit since they can enter with an entry visa from the consular authorities of the Republic abroad.
Accommodation
After arriving in the Republic, the third-country national is required to proceed at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in order to be registered in the Aliens Register and obtain the temporary residence and employment permit by submitting an application and fees.
Submission of an application (see Domestic Workers)
- An application for entry, residence and work permit can only be submitted at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia. To find out whether an appointment is needed follow this link.
- The application should be accompanied by the required supporting documents. Documents related to the issuance of an entry permit should be officially translated and duly certified.
- In order to proceed with the submission of an application, the required fees (see below) must be paid.
- In order to submit the application for temporary residence and work permit, the biometric data (photo and fingerprints) and the signature of the third-country national are required. Τhe biometric data may also be taken at the same time or shortly after the submission of the application, at the District Immigration Unit of the Police of the area of residence of the third-country national. It is noted that, the collection of biometric data is mandatory for the renewal of a temporary residence and work permit as well.
- In case of approval of the application, the applicant will be informed by letter in order to collect the residence and work permit. In case of rejection of the application, the applicant will receive a letter about the reasons of the rejection.
Examination time of an application
The examination of an application and the issuance of a temporary residence and work permit is completed within four months. This time limit shall not apply and the examination time shall be increased if the application is not duly completed and documents are missing.
Duration of residence permit
The duration of a temporary residence and work permit may last up to three consecutive years.
Maximum duration of stay
The maximum period of stay of a third-country national for employment purposes is four (4) years.
For trainee accountants, the maximum duration is set at three years.
There is no maximum duration of stay for the following categories of employees:
- Athletes and Coaches.
- Workers in the farming and agricultural sector.
- Syrian of Creta Origin and Kurds whose name is on the List approved by the Ministry of Interior.
- Specialized Cooks.
Termination of employment contract and change of employer
By mutual agreement between the two parties, the employee and the employer, the employment contract can be terminated and the release document can be completed and signed jointly, in the presence of witnesses. The mutual termination of the contract may occur at any time, given the contract is valid. The release document allows the employee, within 30 days, to look for a new employer and apply in order to renew his temporary residence and work permit.
Special provisions for athletes/coaches of individual or team sports
A third-country national who will work as an Athlete/Coach of individual or team sports enters the Republic with a tourist visa and then applies at the Department for the residence and work permit, provided that she/he meets the conditions for a change of status from visitor to employee. It is noted that no approval from the Department of Labor is required.
Special provisions for trainee accountants
The maximum number of trainee accountants that a company can employ is 15% of the number of Cypriot trainee accountants. Of these, 30% may remain as accountants in the company after completing their studies, and until the completion of the period of 4 years and 9 months.
The maximum number of trainees per company is 5, provided that the relevant approval is obtained from the Department of Labour.
Special provisions for pub workers
The approval for the employment of a third-country national in a pub is granted by the competent Technical Committee. Approval is granted for the employment of 1 employee in every case with the possibility of obtaining a stamped contract for a second person, before the departure of the first.
The employee is not allowed, during the first 3 months from the day of arrival in the Republic, to change employer. Change of employer is allowed only in the cases where the employee has been working for the same employer for a period of at least 6 months.
Special provisions for priests
The employment of priests is allowed as long as there is a relevant letter of assignment / recruitment from the interested diocese / church.
Priests of the Maronite/Latin Church, whose name is on the relevant lists transmitted to the Ministry of Interior, can apply for up to three-year residence permits every time.
There is no maximum duration of stay.
Special provisions for holders of Special Identity Cards of the Diaspora, Syrians of Cretan origin and Kurds
Holders of Special Identity Cards of the Diaspora have free access to the labour market (i.e. without a sealed contract from the Department of Labour) and to self-employment, without time limit on their stay. However, for their family members, who do not hold the Special Identity Card and wish to be employed, the procedure for remunerated employment (single permit – GEN) has to be followed.
Syrians of Cretan origin whose name is on the list approved by the Ministry of Interior, and have completed 3 years of legal or illegal residence until March 2003, can apply for a residence and work permit without a sealed contract from the Department of Labour or for self-employment. In case they did not complete 3 years during the above period, then for their employment a sealed contract is required and the procedure for remunerated employment (single permit – GEN) has to be followed.
Kurds whose name is on the list approved by the Ministry of Interior and have completed 5 years of legal or illegal residence until March 2003, can apply for a residence and work permit without a sealed contract from the Department of Labour or for self-employment. In case they did not complete 5 years during the above period, then for their employment a sealed contract is required.
