Third-country nationals wishing to work in the Republic of Cyprus generally require an entry permit, followed by a temporary residence and employment permit, under the applicable immigration and employment legislation.
The Remunerated Employment – Single Permit (GEN) procedure applies to eligible third-country nationals seeking to enter, reside and work in Cyprus. The applicable requirements and supporting documents depend on the employee’s circumstances, the proposed employment and any special provisions relevant to the occupation.
1. Entry and Residence Requirements
Entry Permit
As a general rule, third-country nationals intending to enter Cyprus for employment purposes must obtain an entry permit before travelling to the Republic, irrespective of the employer or the nature of the job.
Specific exceptions apply to certain categories, including athletes and coaches of individual or team sports, priests and tourist representatives, who may follow a different entry procedure under the applicable rules.
Registration After Arrival
Following arrival in Cyprus, the employee must complete the required registration formalities with the competent immigration authorities.
The employee must submit the relevant application and pay the applicable fees to obtain a temporary residence and employment permit. Registration in the Aliens Register is also required in cases of first registration.
2. Application Procedure
Applications for entry, residence and employment under the GEN procedure are submitted to the Migration Department in Nicosia, in accordance with the applicable submission and appointment arrangements.
The application must be accompanied by the required supporting documents. Documents issued abroad may need to be officially translated and duly certified or authenticated, depending on the document and the applicable requirements.
Applicants should ensure that:
- The relevant application forms are completed accurately.
- All required supporting documents are provided.
- Foreign documents are translated and certified or authenticated where required.
- The applicable government fees are paid.
- The employee completes the required biometric procedures.
The employee’s photograph, fingerprints and signature are required for the relevant residence and employment permit procedure. Biometric data may be collected at the time of application or subsequently through the competent District Immigration Unit of the Police, as applicable.
Online Renewal
Eligible applications for renewal of a temporary residence and employment permit may be submitted online between 60 and 30 days before the existing permit expires.
A verified Cy Login account is required to access the online service, subject to the applicable requirements for the parties involved.
3. Government Fees
The published fees for the standard GEN procedure include the following:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Issuance of an entry permit and temporary residence and employment permit, valid for 1–3 years | €120 |
| Issuance or renewal of a residence and employment permit, valid for 1–3 years | €130 |
| First registration in the Aliens Register | €70 |
The applicable fee depends on the type of application and the employee’s circumstances.
Employment Contract Stamp Duty
Under the legislative changes effective from 1 January 2026, employment contracts drawn up and signed on or after that date are no longer subject to stamp duty under the repealed Stamp Duty Laws.
Contracts drawn up and signed on or before 31 December 2025 remain subject to the previous stamp duty regime, where applicable. The amount depends on the contract value and the relevant rules in force at the time.
A separate fixed duty of €2 per contract copy may also apply to contracts covered by the previous regime, subject to confirmation by the Tax Department.
4. Processing Time and Permit Duration
Examination Period
The published examination period for an application and the issuance of a temporary residence and employment permit is up to four months, provided that the application is duly completed and all required documents have been submitted.
Incomplete applications or missing documentation may result in additional processing time.
Residence Permit Validity
A temporary residence and employment permit may be issued for a period of up to three consecutive years, depending on the applicable conditions and the validity of the employment arrangements.
Maximum Period of Stay
The general maximum period of stay for third-country nationals employed under the applicable framework is four years.
Exceptions apply to certain categories, including:
- Athletes and coaches.
- Workers in the farming and agricultural sector.
- Eligible Syrians of Cretan origin and Kurds included on the relevant Ministry of Interior lists.
- Expatriates.
- Specialised cooks.
The applicable rules should be checked for each employee category.
5. Termination of Employment and Change of Employer
Where the employer and employee mutually agree to terminate a valid employment contract, the relevant release document may be completed and signed by both parties in the presence of witnesses.
Under the published procedure, the release document allows the employee a period of 30 days to seek a new employer and submit the relevant application for renewal or change of employment, subject to the applicable conditions.
A change of employer is not automatic. The employee must comply with the immigration requirements and obtain the necessary approval or permit before commencing employment with a new employer.
6. Special Employment Categories
Certain occupations and employee categories are subject to specific procedures or exemptions.
Athletes and Coaches
Athletes and coaches of individual or team sports may enter Cyprus under the applicable visa procedure and apply for residence and employment permission after arrival, provided that the conditions for changing status are met.
Approval from the Department of Labour is not required under the published special procedure.
Trainee Accountants
Special restrictions apply to the employment of third-country national trainee accountants, including limits on the number of trainees a company may employ, the permitted training period and the proportion who may remain with the company after completing their studies.
Additional approval may be required for the employment of up to five trainee accountants per company, subject to the applicable conditions and a reasoned request.
Pub Workers
Employment of third-country nationals in pubs is subject to approval by the competent Technical Committee.
Specific restrictions apply to changing employers during the initial period of employment and to subsequent changes of employer. The employee’s circumstances and the applicable rules must be assessed before a change is pursued.
Priests
The employment of priests requires the relevant assignment or recruitment letter from the competent diocese or church.
Specific provisions apply to priests of the Maronite and Latin Churches whose names appear on the relevant lists submitted to the Ministry of Interior. Eligible applicants may be granted residence permits for periods of up to three years, with no general maximum duration of stay under the published special provisions.
Holders of Special Identity Cards of the Diaspora
Holders of qualifying Special Identity Cards of the Diaspora have access to the labour market and self-employment without the usual requirement for a sealed employment contract from the Department of Labour and without a time limit on their stay, subject to the applicable conditions.
Family members who do not hold the relevant Special Identity Card and wish to work in Cyprus must follow the applicable employment procedure.
Syrians of Cretan Origin and Kurds
Special arrangements apply to eligible individuals whose names appear on the relevant Ministry of Interior lists and who satisfy the historical residence conditions specified by the competent authorities.
Depending on the applicable conditions, these individuals may be eligible for residence and employment permits without a sealed employment contract or may be required to follow the standard GEN procedure.
Fishermen
The employment of third-country national fishermen requires approval from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR).
Once the required approval has been secured and the employment contract has been duly approved and sealed, the application for entry, residence and employment may be submitted to the Migration Department.
The permit is issued in accordance with the approved contract and may not exceed three years. Separate approval from the Department of Labour is not required under the published procedure.
Contractors Working in the Sovereign Base Areas
Individuals employed in the Sovereign Base Areas under contracts concluded with the relevant United Kingdom authorities must comply with the applicable entry, residence and employment permit requirements.
The employment contract must be approved and sealed by the Department of Labour.
Additional requirements may apply to existing employees, including medical examinations and a criminal clearance certificate issued by the British authorities (ACRO). Eligible family members, including spouses and children, must also arrange their residence status in accordance with the applicable dependent visitor procedure.
How MyConsultancy Can Assist
At M.S. MyConsultancy Services Ltd, we provide professional assistance to employers and third-country nationals throughout the Cyprus employment immigration process.
Our services include:
- Preliminary assessment of the appropriate employment and residence procedure.
- Guidance on employer and employee eligibility requirements.
- Preparation and review of application forms and supporting documents.
- Coordination of document translation, certification and authentication requirements.
- Assistance with entry permit applications and residence and employment permit procedures.
- Support with permit renewals and relevant changes of employment status.
- Guidance on applicable government fees, appointments and submission requirements.
- Follow-up with the competent authorities regarding pending applications.
Contact MyConsultancy to discuss your employment immigration requirements and receive tailored guidance for your company or individual circumstances.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of approval. Immigration legislation, employment policies, fees, processing times and supporting document requirements may change. Eligibility and the applicable procedure should be confirmed with the competent authorities before an application is submitted.