Cyprus Issues 21,000 Work Visas as Firms Import International Talent

Cyprus has issued 21,000 work visas to foreign employees tied to foreign-owned companies, part of a broad push to bring in skills and investment while speeding up decisions on employment permits. The latest figures, confirmed as of August 27, 2025, reflect a two-year surge driven by policy changes that open more sectors to third-country nationals, cut processing to about a month, and add the EU Blue Card for highly skilled hires. Officials say the aim is clear: meet labor shortages, keep companies growing in Cyprus, and protect fair pay and jobs for local workers.

Overview: residence permits and nationalities

The scale of movement is wider than work visas alone. In total, authorities granted 48,212 temporary residence permits in 2023–2024, according to the Ministry of Migration and International Protection.

Key permit breakdown:
– 20,997 permits to workers
– 25,053 permits to family members under reunification rules
– 2,162 permits to dependent visitors (spouses, children, other relatives)

Top nationalities receiving permits:
– Russians: 33,517 permits
– Ukrainians: 3,504
– Belarusians: 2,713
– Israelis: 1,957

This data underlines that Cyprus is now a key landing spot for companies and teams repositioning in the region, with the island’s tech, finance, and shipping hubs pulling in steady flows of staff.

Policy changes and the fast-track system

A major reform package took effect in February 2025, expanding the list of industries that can hire third-country nationals to address local skills gaps and support growth.

Sectors now more readily able to hire foreign employees:
– Tech, finance, shipping
– Agriculture, tourism, trade, services
– Recycling, cleaning

The government also rolled out a faster system that has cut work visa processing from six months to about one month. An electronic platform launched in March 2025 now handles filings online, reducing in-person queues and paperwork.

EU Blue Card and wage protections

The EU Blue Card was launched in Cyprus on July 9, 2024, aligning with EU Directive 2021/1883. It targets highly skilled non-EU workers in fields such as ICT, finance, engineering, and healthcare.

Blue Card benefits:
– Clearer salary rules and a minimum threshold near €1,700 per month
– Simpler family reunification path
– EU-wide mobility after 12 months in Cyprus

Wage protections have been tightened with new rules setting a minimum threshold near €1,700/month, and authorities emphasize that employers must respect EU-aligned labor standards.

Safeguards for local jobseekers

To protect local employment, employers must demonstrate they tried to hire within Cyprus and across the EU first:

• Vacancies must be posted locally and in the EU for at least two weeks before considering non-EU candidates.
• Some roles will require training or upskilling as part of visa renewal conditions.
• An advisory committee monitors labor conditions and can recommend pausing foreign-worker extensions if unemployment rises in certain roles.

VisaVerge.com reports businesses welcomed the predictable timelines and digital filing system, especially in fast-moving sectors where delays can stall projects. Legal advisers stress that employers must maintain complete records and comply with posting, pay, and contract rules to avoid hold-ups.

Fees, timelines, and permit durations

• Government fees typically range from €140–€1,000, depending on the permit type and duration.
• Most work permit fees fall between €150–€700, with extra costs for dependents and required documents.
• Standard processing under the new system is 4–6 weeks, with a one-month target expected as the platform matures.
• Most temporary residence and work permits are valid for 1–2 years and can be renewed up to 4 years.

Family reunification procedures have been streamlined, and Blue Card holders often see an easier route for spouses and children.

Employer step-by-step: bringing in third-country nationals

1. Employer registration with Cypriot authorities to sponsor foreign employees.
2. Labor market test: post the vacancy in Cyprus and the EU for at least two weeks.
3. Application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department with:
   • Signed employment contract
   • Proof of qualifications
   • Clean criminal record
   • Medical certificate
   • Proof of health insurance
4. Approval from the Department of Labor, explaining why a foreign national is needed.
5. Payment of government fees based on permit type and length.
6. Online submission through the new platform for faster checks and tracking.
7. Permit issuance for the employee, with options later to add dependents under family reunification.

Data snapshot and sectors attracting talent

The 21,000 work visas issued since 2023 form part of an effort to keep Cyprus competitive in high-growth sectors.

Sector highlights:
– Tech firms lead inflows
– Finance and shipping steadily hire non-EU staff
– Tourism and agriculture rely on seasonal and support roles
– Services, recycling, and cleaning gained clearer paths to fill shifts

Business groups say reforms reduce uncertainty and help them scale teams without relocating projects out of Cyprus.

For workers, faster decisions matter: a one-month decision window can be the difference between accepting a job or losing it. Shorter waits also help families plan moves with less stress. Under the EU Blue Card, skilled workers gain the option of later mobility within the EU after a year while still building a life in Cyprus.

Wages, enforcement, and political context

Officials emphasize the policy aims to protect wages and avoid undercutting local workers:

• The €1,700 threshold and contract checks target underpayment risks.
• Unions have pressed for strict enforcement to safeguard local jobs.
• The two-week posting rule, advisory committee monitoring, and the possibility of pausing extensions are core enforcement tools.

President Nikos Christodoulides has linked these reforms to a broader plan for Cyprus to join the Schengen Area by 2026, which would improve connectivity for business travel and family visits and complement visa upgrades.

Policy analysts note that combining work visas, the EU Blue Card, and Schengen readiness signals to multinationals that Cyprus is an attractive regional base.

Early results—21,000 work visas plus tens of thousands of family permits—show momentum. The real test will be consistent enforcement, a functioning online system, and attention to both foreign employees and local communities.

Practical guidance: what employers and workers should do now

Recommendations for companies:
– Map roles by permit type. Consider the EU Blue Card for highly skilled positions to secure EU mobility and simpler family rules after 12 months.
– Budget to meet pay thresholds and compliance steps. Keep proof of the full two-week job posting and retain documentation.
– File on the online platform for faster status updates. Expect standard decisions in 4–6 weeks, often near one month.

Recommendations for foreign employees:
– Gather proof of qualifications, a recent clean criminal record, a medical certificate, and health insurance.
– Review salary terms and confirm whether the Blue Card route or a standard permit applies.
– Plan for family reunification—spouses and children can join on streamlined permits; Blue Card holders often experience faster handling.
– Be prepared for training or upskilling if required for renewals.

Practical checklist for contracts and filings:
– Ensure the employment contract shows pay meeting the €1,700 baseline where required.
– Confirm duties in the contract match qualifications to avoid disputes at the job-posting or contract review stage.
– Ask employers to confirm dependent filing timelines so school enrollment and housing align with approval windows.

For official forms, instructions, and the online application entry point, consult the Official Cyprus Government Portal. The portal hosts current guidance from the Ministry of Migration and International Protection and the Ministry of Labour, Social Insurance and Insurance, including employer registration steps and residence permit information.

Final considerations

Officials argue the reforms strike a balance: faster hiring for roles Cyprus cannot fill now, with safeguards to protect local opportunities. The advisory committee will monitor hiring patterns and recommend adjustments if necessary.

Business leaders point to persistent shortages in:
– Software engineering
– Cybersecurity
– Specialized finance
– Shipmanagement

Cyprus’s strategy is that smoother hiring rules, the EU Blue Card, and the one-month processing target will attract investment without squeezing local wages. The early figures—21,000 work visas and large numbers of family permits—indicate momentum, but success will depend on follow-through: enforcement, a reliable online platform, and continued attention to both foreign employees and the communities where they work and live.