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Migration and Home Affairs
  • 1 April 2025

Seasonal worker in Cyprus

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to carry out seasonal work in Cyprus? You can find information below on the conditions, procedures and rights you can enjoy during your stay.

Conditions

To carry out seasonal work in Cyprus, you must have:

  • an entry permit for the purposes of employment; and
  • a temporary residence and employment permit.

Seasonal workers may be employed for a period of up to four months, extendable by a further four months

Procedures

Where and how to apply

Application for employment

Initially the employer applies to the District Labour Offices of the Department of Labour- Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance with a job vacancy. A labour market test is carried out to evaluate whether there are no suitably qualified local or European workers to fill the particular job vacancy.

If the job vacancy is not filled then the employer may submit an application for a non-EU national. When a positive answer by the Labour Department has been secured, specified employment contracts are signed and stamped.

Entry permit for the purpose of employment

Following the above, the employer submits an application for an entry permit for the non-EU national to the Civil Registry and Migration Department, through the District Aliens and Immigration Units of the Police.

You must:

  • undergo a medical examination;
  • present a certificate of criminal record;
  • present a valid passport;
  • accompany your application with an employment contract duly stamped by the Labour Office.

Your employer must also provide reasonable accommodation and a bank guarantee in case you are repatriated.

Duration of validity of permitsYour employment and residence permit is granted for up to three months and can be extended for eight further months (four plus four months).
AppealsYou can challenge decisions related to your residence and employment permit before the Administrative Court.
Further information

More on working in Cyprus

More on applying for a job

More on visas

Rights

Change of employment Permits are tied to a specific employer. You can change employment only if the former employer issues a release to that effect or according to a decision after investigation of a labour dispute. A new employment contract must be signed and stamped by the Labour Office.