Cyprus promotes workers from third countries to fill gaps in the employment industry, the opportunities are wide ranging from healthcare, domestic workers, construction and the leisure industry.
Third country nationals that are lucky to find themselves in wonderful Cyprus have ample opportunity to work as much or as little as they wish. The Republic promotes fair employment, together with rules that state each and every employee must be treated the same as a Cypriot Citizen.
Employers unable to fill vacancies from within the EU often advertise to third country nationals and in certain circumstances the government may grant exemptions or fast-track applications.
If you are keen to relocate to Cyprus and begin a new chapter of your life, we at Rideo Group can make this happen, we are skilled in the employment marketplace and are able to assist you in making your dream come true. Can you imagine working in this amazing country and spending your free time enjoying the relaxed and safe lifestyle that Cyprus has to offer.
Employment in the Republic of Cyprus for Third Country Nationals (TCN) requires each applicant to apply for a visa and/or permit, the categories can be seen below:
- Cyprus Work Permit – Employer is required to apply whilst the employee is still in their country of residence, this is for an authorisation to work in Cyprus;
- Cyprus Work Visa – Allows the employee to enter the Republic with the purpose of long-term residence and employment, authorisation to enter Cyprus.
A valid work permit is required for Non-EU foreign nationals to work in Cyprus, if this is not obtained then the employee and employer will be subject to a monetary fine and/or imprisonment.
An employer must adhere to the following – Laws that apply for all TCN’s working in Cyprus must mirror those for Cypriot Nationals, the same Terms and Conditions of employment required by the Ministry of Labour Welfare and Social Insurance
It is the duty of employers to confirm before employing a TCN that any applicant has a relevant Cyprus Work Permit/Visa.
The requirements and documentation set out when applying for a Cyprus Work Permit are listed below:
- Application forms, signed and stamped by the employer;
- Form M58 – This is an application for issuing entrance to the Republic of Cyprus;
- Form M64 – An application for issuing work authorisation.
- Copy of a Passport with validity for the length of the contract of employment, included should be personal information and any previous Visas;
- Original Criminal Record Certificate issued by the Police;
- Contact of employment;
- Original medical examination results showing the following ailments as clear, these must be validated by a specialist doctor:
- AIDS;
- Hepatitis B and C;
- Syphilis;
- Tuberculosis.
- Employer’s Tax Clearance Certificate;
- Bank Guarantee Letter – This proves that the employer has paid the minimum 12 month guarantee of between €350-850 from the start of the employment dependant on the country of arrival;
- Health insurance for the length of stay in Cyprus;
- Application fee.
Before commencement of employment the employer must check that the employee has obtained a Cypriot Work Visa, this allows the applicant to travel to Cyprus for the purpose of employment in a Cypriot based organisation.
General employment applications “MGEN2” or “MNSP2” for the issue of Entry and Temporary Residence and Employment Permit is submitted by the employer, to the Civil Registry and Migration Department through the appropriate District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police or at the Central Offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.
The application must be submitted together with the contract of employment certified by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Employment and Social Insurances, which is the competent Department for securing that there are no Cypriots or citizens of Member States of the European Union (EU), available or adequately qualified for the specific job or post prior to recommending the employment of a TCN.
Employers of Domestic Workers are defined as helpers for professionals that seek external assistance in order to carry out domestic work, primarily at home. The criteria for employing a Domestic worker is as follows:
- A family with a Child under the age of 12 where both parents work and contribute to the Social Insurance Fund;
- Couple with no children who both work and declare an annual taxable income greater than €52,000;
- Single parents with a child younger than 12 years old who work and contribute to the Social Insurance Fund;
- Families where one parent works requires the annual taxable income to be in excess of €86,000;
- Single working persons declaring their annual taxable income of at least €52,000, with contributions to the Social Insurance Fund.
There are various forms of employment for Domestic Workers in different sectors:
- Domestic Helpers/Housemaids:
- Provide care for children;
- Provide care for the elderly;
- Housekeeping;
- Cooking;
- Laundry;
- Cleaning;
- Ironing;
- Shopping for food;
- General household errands.
- Nurses/Personal Care Assistants:
- Personal Care;
- Bathing;
- Feeding;
- Dressing;
- Grooming.
- Health Care;
- Medication Management;
- Medical appointments;
- Therapy, both physical and emotional.
- Emotional Care;
- Companionship;
- Meaningful activities;
- Conversation.
- Personal Care;
The procedure for obtaining an Employment/Work Permit is in the form of an initial application, form MDW2 submitted by the employer for the issue of Entry and Temporary Residence, to the Civil Registry and Migration Department through the District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police or at the Central Offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.
Within 7 days of arrival into the Republic of Cyprus, the TCN must attend the appropriate District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police, or the Central Offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia for registration, where Biometric data (fingerprints and photo’s etc) is collected.
The maximum length of time that a TCN can work as a Domestic Worker is 6 years, after this time no changes of employer are allowed, this may be extended if the TCN has worked for the same employer for the whole period. Changes to an employer are allowed but a maximum of 2 within the 6 year period, although there are exceptions:
- Death of an employer;
- Depatriation;
- Transfer of the employer into a Nursing Home;
- Criminal offence by the employer to the TCN;
- Decision by the Labour Disputes Committee in favour of the TCN.
Rideo Group professionals are highly experienced in this sector, we can offer full support and will be happy to answer any questions/queries that you may have. Please contact one of the team for an informal chat.
