The following provisions do not apply to EU citizens

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 applications for the issuing of Entry and Employment Permits are submitted to the Migration Officer by the prospective employer while the foreign workers are still abroad. The applications 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 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 in view of the likely costs of repatriation. The applications are submitted and examined by the Migration Officer. 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 the latter case, the contract of employment is not sealed by the Department of Labour, because the criteria for the issue of the respective permits are determined by the Council of Ministers. According to these criteria, 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 € 34172.
• 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.

• A legible copy of the foreigner’s passport.
• A bank guarantee in view of the likely costs of repatriation.
• Birth certificates of the children (where applicable).
• Confirmation of contribution to the Social Insurance Fund.
• Confirmation from the Internal Revenue Board (where applicable).
• A medical certificate for people suffering from a serious illness and are in need of care.
• An employment contract stamped by the Commissioner of Stamp Duties.
• To obtain an entry permit or to renew temporary residence and employment permits an application must be submitted, accompanied by €17.09.

For more Information please contact:

The Migration Department
Ministry of the Interior
1457 Nicosia
CYPRUS

Tel: +357 22 8804410
Fax: +357 22 676944
E-mail: migration@crmd.moi.gov.cy