Cyprus Work Visa Requirements

A work visa is typically required by all foreign nationals where they intend to engage in full time employment in a country where they are not naturally eligible to work in. A work visa will provide the individual with full authorization for the right to reside and partake in full time employment. The authorization must come from the relevant authority in the country he/she intends to work in and will generally be in the form of a standard document or, more commonly, a stamp in your passport. The requirement of obtaining a work permit/residence visa will depend largely on your nationality, however approval of a work permit will depend largely on the nature of the job and applicants skills. It must be noted that depending on the country you seek employment and residency in; some individuals are not required to obtain a work visa. Generally all jurisdictions with reciprocal treaty agreements (for example the European Union) do not stipulate that an EU citizen must obtain a work visa for undertaking employment in those countries. Every jurisdiction provides conditions which must be satisfied in order to qualify for a work visa.

Who requires a Cyprus Work Permit?

Cyprus adopts EU Law due to its European Member status, this means that all EU nationals are the right to live and work in Cyprus visa free. The Freedom of Movement Act as provided by in EU Law stipulates that all EU nationals are authorized to move freely form one EU member state to the next for the purpose of finding employment and residency. This right extends to the EU citizens family also. All EU nationals can reside and work in Cyprus for a period of 3 months before they are required to register their right to reside in Cyprus.

Foreign nationals (Non-EU citizens) are not exempt from obtaining a work permit/residency visa where they intend to live and work in Cyprus. The foreign national is legally required acquire a work permit prior to commencing their employment in Cyprus. The applications sponsor company (Cyrus employer) is required to submit an application for a work permit to the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Cyprus, on behalf of the foreign national

Cyprus Working Holiday Visa

Cyprus and Australia have a reciprocal agreement whereby citizens of Australia are eligible to visit Cyprus for a period of 9 months and engage in employment as a means to support their stay. The applicants must have no dependants and be between the ages of 18-30 years of age to qualify under the working holiday visa scheme.

Cyprus Work Permit

Work permits are applicable to all foreign nationals intending to work in Cyprus. Cyprus work visas come in two forms, a work visa or a student visa. A Cyprus Work Visa is categorized by the type of position the applicant is intending to hold. The relevant categories are ‘executive’ and ‘non-executive’. An executive refers to positions of directors or partners of a company where as non executive positions refer to position from administration to managerial.

It is important to obtain your working visa prior to arriving in Cyprus as working with out a valid work permit is strictly prohibited for foreign nationals. With regards to International Businesses operating in Cyprus, they are eligible to employ a maximum of 5 foreign nationals to occupy positions from administration to management and partners.

For a foreign national to be approved a work permit, the sponsor company in Cyprus must satisfy that there are no EU citizens available to fill the position first.

Validity of a Cyprus Work Permit is typically up to 12 months.

Cyprus Residence Visas

Cyprus residence visas are applicable to all individuals who come under one of the following categories.

Category E – this category is relevant for citizens who have received a formal offer of employment from a company in Cyprus.

Category F – This category is relevant to high net worth individuals who have enough income at their disposal to support their residency in Cyprus without the need to partake in any form of employment, business activity or other self employed profession.

Required Documents for Application of a Cyprus Work Permit

- Completed and signed visa application form

- Valid passport with recent passport photos

- Police clearance report form your country of domicile

- Medical certificates stating your good health

- Relevant documentation providing evidence that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Cyprus

- A formal employment contract, which must be stamped by the Ministry of Labour.

- Submission of the relevant applicant fee

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