How to get a work visa to Cyprus?

To obtain a work visa in Cyprus, a foreign worker must receive a job offer from a Cypriot employer. The employer must then submit an application for a work permit for the foreign worker to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Insurance of Cyprus.

Once you receive the work permit in Cyprus, you can apply for a Cypriot work visa. The work visa for Cyprus is an entry visa that allows you to travel to Cyprus for employment and long-term residence. Without a work permit, you cannot obtain a work visa.

Who can get a work visa to Cyprus?

Each foreign citizen who wishes to work in Cyprus must obtain the appropriate permit, except for specific categories of individuals. Citizens of other European Union member states, as well as citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (EEA countries), are exempt.

Cyprus joined the EU in 2014, and all EU citizens can freely move, reside, and work on the territory of Cyprus. Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland have similar rights to freedom of movement, except for obtaining a work permit in the Republic of Cyprus.

What documents do I need to apply for a work visa?

When applying for a work visa, a foreign worker must provide the following documents:

• Application for visa completed in English.
• The passport is valid for at least six months.
• Two recent photographs.
• Proof of job offer and work permit (your employment contract with the Ministry of Labour stamp).
• Police clearance certificate issued by the competent authorities of the country where the worker has lived for the last five years.
• The original medical certificate with the results of tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis tests was issued within the last four months.
• Letter of bank guarantee confirming that your employer has paid the guarantee fee (350-850 euros, depending on your country). The guarantee must be valid for at least 12 months from employment.
• Proof of medical insurance. You must obtain medical insurance when applying for a work visa to Cyprus and upon arrival in Cyprus for your stay.
• Payment for the work permit/visa in Cyprus.
• Proof of sufficient funds for living expenses and accommodation in Cyprus may also be required.

The processing time for a work visa application may vary depending on the specific circumstances but usually takes a few days to a few weeks. After obtaining the visa, the foreign worker can start working in Cyprus per the conditions specified in the job offer.

Getting a residence permit after receiving a work visa

A work visa in Cyprus is simply permission to enter. Obtaining a work visa in Cyprus only sometimes leads to a residence permit. A work visa entitles you to stay in Cyprus for a certain period of employment and work. Therefore, if you genuinely want to live in Cyprus, you must obtain a residence permit.

After being employed in Cyprus, you may apply for a residence permit in Cyprus per the legislation on the settlement and stay of foreigners. The rules and procedures for obtaining a residence permit in Cyprus may vary depending on various factors, including the applicant’s country of origin and purpose of stay in Cyprus.

Within seven days of arriving in Cyprus, you must register with the local district office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration of the Police Department or at the central offices of the Department of Registration of Civil Status and Migration in Nicosia and obtain a residence permit in Cyprus.

When you submit your application, your biometric data and signature will be taken.

How long do work visas and temporary residence permits last?

The validity period of a work visa and a temporary residence permit in Cyprus usually ranges from 1 to 4 years, depending on the work visa type and the employment contract conditions. After the expiration of the work visa, it is necessary to renew it to have the right to stay in Cyprus and work legally.

To obtain detailed information and receive support from legal experts, contact SPM Real Estate. We will help you gather the necessary documents and organize your process of getting a work visa in Cyprus.