The EU Blue Card is a residence and employment permit for highly qualified third-country nationals who wish to work in Cyprus in eligible high-skilled occupations.
At M.S. MyConsultancy Services Ltd, we assist highly qualified professionals and employers throughout the EU Blue Card process in Cyprus, from the initial eligibility assessment and preparation of documents to the submission and follow-up of the application.
Who is the EU Blue Card for?
The EU Blue Card is designed for third-country nationals who:
- Have a qualifying highly skilled employment offer in Cyprus;
- Meet the applicable professional qualification requirements;
- Meet the minimum salary requirement; and
- Are employed in an eligible sector or occupation under the current Cyprus framework.
The applicable requirements depend on the applicant’s profession, qualifications, employment contract and the sector of employment.
Eligible Employment Sectors
Under the current Cyprus framework, highly skilled employment without a limitation on the maximum number of positions is currently available in the following sectors:
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
This includes eligible ICT-related highly skilled occupations falling within the applicable professional categories.
Pharmaceutical Research
Employment in the pharmaceutical sector is eligible specifically for research purposes.
Maritime Sector
Eligible highly skilled employment in the maritime sector is included, excluding shipmasters and crew members.
For other sectors and occupations, the applicable admission limits may be zero.
Minimum Salary Requirement
The current minimum gross annual salary for highly skilled employment under the EU Blue Card framework is:
€43,632 gross per year
The salary must comply with the applicable requirements at the time of the application.
Professional Qualifications
Applicants must meet the applicable high professional qualification requirements.
These may be demonstrated through:
- A higher education qualification; or
- High professional skills and relevant professional experience, where permitted under the applicable legislation.
For certain ICT occupations, professional experience may also qualify as evidence of high professional skills, subject to the specific statutory requirements.
Entry to Cyprus
A third-country national applying for an EU Blue Card may enter Cyprus through the applicable entry procedure.
Depending on the circumstances, entry may take place:
- With an entry visa issued by the Cyprus diplomatic or consular authorities abroad; or
- With an entry permit issued by the Migration Department, following an application by the employer.
Following arrival in Cyprus, the applicant must complete the required registration and EU Blue Card procedures within the applicable time limits.
Application Process
The application for an EU Blue Card is submitted to the Migration Department in Nicosia.
The process generally includes:
- Assessment of eligibility
- Preparation of the required documentation
- Preparation and review of the employment contract
- Entry to Cyprus, where applicable
- Registration with the relevant authorities
- Submission of the EU Blue Card application
- Submission of biometric data
- Examination of the application
- Issuance of the EU Blue Card
Supporting documents must be officially translated and duly certified/legalised, where required.
Processing Time
A complete EU Blue Card application is examined within 90 days, provided that all required information and supporting documents have been submitted.
Where an application is incomplete, the applicable period begins once the application has been completed.
For applications under the long-term mobility framework, the examination period is 30 days, subject to the application being complete.
Validity of the EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is generally issued for a period of 24 to 36 months.
Where the employment contract is for less than 24 months, the Blue Card may be issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three additional months, subject to the applicable maximum period.
Family Members
EU Blue Card holders benefit from facilitated family reunification arrangements under the applicable Cyprus legislation.
Family members may benefit from:
- The possibility of submitting the EU Blue Card and family reunification applications simultaneously;
- Residence permits corresponding to the validity of the Blue Card, subject to passport validity; and
- Free access to the labour market, including self-employment, subject to the applicable legal framework.
Our team can assist with the preparation and submission of the relevant applications for eligible family members.
EU Blue Card Mobility
One of the important advantages of the EU Blue Card is the possibility of mobility between EU Member States, subject to the applicable conditions.
Short-Term Mobility
An EU Blue Card holder issued by another EU Member State may enter and stay in Cyprus for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for the permitted professional/business activities, subject to the applicable requirements.
Long-Term Mobility
After 12 months of legal residence in the first EU Member State as an EU Blue Card holder, the holder may move to another EU Member State, including Cyprus, for highly skilled employment.
In the case of long-term mobility to Cyprus, the applicant must apply for a Cyprus EU Blue Card in accordance with the applicable requirements.
The application for long-term mobility must be submitted within the applicable period following entry into Cyprus.
Change of Employer
EU Blue Card holders may change employer in Cyprus by submitting the appropriate application in accordance with the applicable procedure.
During the first 12 months of lawful employment in Cyprus, specific restrictions apply to the commencement of employment with a new employer while the authorities verify that the applicable admission requirements are met.
After the first 12 months of lawful employment, different rules apply and employment may commence during the examination of the relevant application, subject to the applicable requirements.
Temporary Unemployment
EU Blue Card holders may seek new employment during periods of unemployment, subject to the applicable rules.
Specific limits apply to the period of unemployment depending on the length of time the individual has held the EU Blue Card.
The holder is required to notify the Migration Department of the commencement and, where applicable, termination of a period of unemployment.
Re-entry to Cyprus
A valid EU Blue Card permits the holder to re-enter Cyprus in accordance with the applicable rules.
Where an application is pending, specific procedures may apply for re-entry into Cyprus, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the documents available.
Government Fees
The current government fees include:
- €110 – Issuance of entry permit and EU Blue Card
- €95 – Issuance / renewal of EU Blue Card
- €40 – EU Blue Card issued under the mobility framework
- €70 – Registration in the Aliens Register, where applicable for a first registration
Employment contracts must also be duly stamped. The applicable stamp duty depends on the value of the contract.
Our Support
At M.S. MyConsultancy Services Ltd, we provide comprehensive support to both employers and highly qualified professionals throughout the EU Blue Card process.
Our services include:
- Eligibility assessment
- Review of the applicant’s qualifications and professional experience
- Assessment of the employment position and salary
- Review and preparation of employment documentation
- Assistance with entry procedures
- Preparation and submission of the EU Blue Card application
- Assistance with biometrics and registration
- Liaison with the Migration Department and relevant authorities
- Application follow-up
- Assistance with family reunification
- Assistance with EU Blue Card mobility to Cyprus
- Renewal applications
- Assistance with change of employer procedures
- Ongoing immigration and relocation support
Planning to work in Cyprus as a highly qualified professional?
Our team can assess your eligibility for the EU Blue Card and guide you through the application process based on your individual circumstances.
Requirements, eligible sectors, salary thresholds, government fees and procedures may be subject to change in accordance with the applicable legislation and policies of the Republic of Cyprus.