In the past, all international students in Cyprus had the opportunity to work, although the sector of employment and working hours were regulated by the labor office. However, due to numerous cases of illegal employment and non-compliance with labor department criteria by both students and employers, the employment opportunities for students were restricted.
Currently, new students are not allowed to work as freely as before, but there have been discussions about potentially resuming work regulations for students in the future.
As of today, the official information regarding the employment of non-EU students in Cyprus is as follows:
1. Students who entered tertiary education institutions in Cyprus before October 31st, 2022, and were residing in the country can work under the previous terms of employment.
2. Working hours during studies should not exceed 20 hours per week to avoid negatively impacting the students’ academic performance. During holidays (summer break), students can work up to 38 hours per week.
Employers are responsible for ensuring the following:
– Students possess a valid residence permit and are allowed to work.
– Their business activities permit the employment of students from non-EU countries.
To hire a student, the employer must follow the hiring procedure set by the government and have the employment contract stamped by the labor office. The typical contract of employment can be found on the labor office’s website or downloaded from there.
Documents required to obtain a work permit from the labor office:
– Copy of passport
– Copy of a valid residence permit
– Contract of employment signed by both parties
– University/college timetable showing that working hours do not conflict with the class schedule
– Work permit from the immigration office, where the immigration authority may request confirmation of a student’s satisfactory academic performance and/or academic progress records from the educational institution.
Types of jobs students are allowed to work:
– Petrol stations, car wash, cleaning services crew
– Domestic work, caregiving, babysitting
– Bakery, food delivery, kitchen helpers, hospitality staff
– Distributors of advertising and informative material.
For students pursuing degrees in tourism and hospitality management, internship opportunities are commonly offered as part of their curriculum, providing valuable work experience in their chosen field of study. During internships, students are allowed to work specific hours in hotels and restaurants.
Post-Study Work Opportunities
Upon completing their studies, international students in Cyprus can explore post-study work opportunities. Master’s students who have recently finished their postgraduate degrees in Cyprus are eligible for one year of employment with the possibility of extending their employment if offered a contract extension. Employers looking to hire third-country nationals must obtain a work permit from the labor office.
For up-to-date information and guidance on working opportunities for international students studying in Cyprus, feel free to contact us.
