Immigrants wishing to live work or study in Cyprus are required to have either a valid work or residence permit. Fines may be imposed on anyone found to be employed in the country without valid and up to date paperwork.

Citizens of any EU country can freely enter Cyprus with the correct passport/ID card. If citizens of Ukraine or Russia want to stay in the country for more than three months, or for work, they must complete the following:

• Apply for an Alien Registration Certificate within one week of arriving in Cyprus. This can be completed at a local immigration branch of the Police.
• Apply for a residence permit.
• Apply for a social insurance number.

This must be done within three months of arriving in the country. Applications must be made in person to the Civil Registration and Migration Department. The following documents are required to make the application:

• A valid passport or identity card.
• Two passport photos.
• A document showing that the individual has been engaged in employment. The letter of employment must be stamped by the Labour Department and show the employer’s code of economic activity.

Note: A different type of permit should be applied for if someone is self-employed.

REGULATED PROFESSIONS

Certain fields of work are classed as regulated professions in Cyprus:

• Solicitors.
• Electricians.
• Doctors.
• Accountants.
• Engineers

Those from EU member states wanting to move to the island for working as one of the above professions must apply for the relevant permit from the authorities that oversee employment in these professions in the same way Cypriot residents do. Eltoma Corporate Service can help you with the application process. Click here to find out more.

This article is a general overview of the current requirements. Processes and timeframes may change at any time. As such, this should be treated as an objective guide and does not replace advice given in respect of specific cases.