Entry permit
In order for a third-country national to enter the Republic for work purposes, no matter who the employer will be and the kind of job, the third-country national is obliged to obtain an entry permit as per the provisions of the Legislation.
Athletes/Coaches of Individual and Team Sports, priests, and tourist representatives are excluded from the procedure for an entry permit since they can enter with an entry visa from the consular authorities of the Republic abroad.

Accomodation
After arriving in the Republic, the third-country national is required to proceed at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in order to be registered in the Aliens Register and obtain the temporary residence and employment permit by submitting an application and fees.

Submission of an application (see Domestic Workers)

• An application for entry, residence and work permit can only be submitted at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia. To find out whether an appointment is needed follow this link.
• The application should be accompanied by the required supporting documents. Documents related to the issuance of an entry permit should be officially translated and duly certified.
• In order to proceed with the submission of an application, the required fees (see below) must be paid.
• In order to submit the application for temporary residence and work permit, the biometric data (photo and fingerprints) and the signature of the third-country national are required. Τhe biometric data may also be taken at the same time or shortly after the submission of the application, at the District Immigration Unit of the Police of the area of residence of the third-country national. It is noted that, the collection of biometric data is mandatory for the renewal of a temporary residence and work permit as well.
• In case of approval of the application, the applicant will be informed by letter in order to collect the residence and work permit. In case of rejection of the application, the applicant will receive a letter about the reasons of the rejection.

Fees and stamps

• Issuance of an entry permit and a temporary residence and work permit, valid for 1-3 years: €120
• Issuance or renewal of a residence and work permit, valid for 1-3 years: €130
• Registration in the aliens registry (only in cases of first registration): €70

Examination time of an application
The examination of an application and the issuance of a temporary residence and work permit is completed within four months. This time limit shall not apply and the examination time shall be increased if the application is not duly completed and documents are missing.

Duration of residence permit
The duration of a temporary residence and work permit may last up to three consecutive years.

Maximum duration of stay
The maximum period of stay of a third-country national for employment purposes is four (4) years.
For trainee accountants, the maximum duration is set at three years.
There is no maximum duration of stay for the following categories of employees:

• Athletes and Coaches.
• Workers in the farming and agricultural sector.
• Syrian of Creta Origin and Kurds whose name is on the List approved by the Ministry of Interior.
• Expatriates.
• Specialized Cooks.

Termination of employment contract and change of employer
By mutual agreement between the two parties, the employee and the employer, the employment contract can be terminated and the release document can be completed and signed jointly, in the presence of witnesses. The mutual termination of the contract may occur at any time, given the contract is valid. The release document allows the employee, within 30 days, to look for a new employer and apply in order to renew his temporary residence and work permit.