Cyprus - Work Skills & Ancestry - Employment Visa

A basic precondition for the granting of temporary permit for employment of foreign workers is the absence of prospects to meet the specific needs of the employer by local force (i.e. Cypriot or European citizens).

To full fill Cyprus’ international obligations and to avoid the importation of cheap labour, the following provisions shall apply:

1. The remuneration and other benefits to be enjoyed by foreign workers will be those envisaged for Cypriot workers by the relevant collective agreements in the sector.

2. The transportation costs of foreign workers from their native country will be borne exclusively by the employer.

(b) The employers will ensure their foreign workers with special health insurance.

4. The employer shall be responsible to provide accommodation of acceptable standards and basic facilities to the foreign workers.

The procedure for granting employment permits is governed by the Foreign and Migration Law, and by decisions of the Council of Ministers and of the Parliamentary Committee responsible for matters pertaining to Foreigners.

The relevant applications for the issuing of Entry and Employment Permits are submitted to the Director of the Civil Archive and Migration Department, of the Ministry of Interior, by the prospective employer, while the foreign workers are still abroad. The applications (forms) must be accompanied by a contract of employment, sealed by the Department of Labour, of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, which is the competent authority responsible for examining whether there are qualified and / or available Cypriot citizens, and to what extent, for the profession or position in question. The applications must also be accompanied by a certificate of good conduct and a bank guarantee letter, in view of the likely costs of repatriation. The applications are submitted and examined by the Director of the Civil Archive and Migration Department. If nothing emerges that hinders the entry of the foreigners in question into Cyprus, the relative entry and work permits are issued.

The same procedure is followed for foreigners who are employed as domestic staff, the only difference being that in this case the contract of employment is not sealed by the Department of Labour, because the criteria for the issuance of the respective permits are determined by the Council of Ministers. According to these criteria, the employment of foreign domestic staff is permitted for the following cases:
• When both spouses are employed, therefore contributing to the Social Insurance Fund and they have children below the age of 9.
• When the family has a declared net annual income of more than CY£30,000.
• When the foreign domestic staff will take care of aged people, people with disabilities or special needs or people suffering from a serious illness which prevents them from taking care of themselves.
• When the foreign domestic staff will be employed at the residence of Directors or Senior officers of Off-Shore Companies, as well as for members of Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Cyprus.

The Application must be accompanied by the following documents:

(1) A legible copy of the foreigner's passport.
(2) A bank guarantee in view of the likely costs of repatriation.
(3) Birth certificates of the children (where applicable).
(4) Confirmation of contribution to the Social Insurance Fund.
(5) Confirmation from the Internal Revenue Board (where applicable).
(6) A medical certificate for people suffering from a serious illness and are in need of care.
(7) An employment contract stamped by the Commissioner of Stamp Duties.

To obtain an entry permit and to renew temporary residence and employment permits, the relevant application form must be submitted, along with the fee.