CyprusWork residence permit

FIC work residence permit in Cyprus

A programme for attracting foreign specialists to work at companies with foreign investment in Cyprus. Third-country nationals employed by registered companies of foreign interests (with capital at least half of which is of foreign origin) receive a temporary residence and work permit. Highly paid specialists benefit from a simplified procedure with no labour market test. The programme allows unlimited residence for as long as the permit is valid.

Threshold

Salary for qualified staff usually from €2,000–2,500/month; government fees ~€200–350

Processing time

Usually 1–3 months

Work

Full employment with the FIC; a change of employer means a new procedure

Residence

No more than 90 days of absence a year; 183 days for tax purposes

Source: gov.cy — companies of foreign interests

Who can apply

The programme is open to third-country nationals employed by companies of foreign interests. The requirements differ according to qualifications and experience.

Highly paid specialists

At least €2,500 a month (gross)
Qualifications or 2+ years of experience in the role
A contract of 2+ years
No labour market test

Other employees

A contract with a registered FIC
Passing the labour market test
Relevant education or experience
Meeting the requirements of the vacancy

When the programme will not suit you

You are an EU or EEA national

The EU freedom of movement rules apply

The job is not with a registered FIC

The standard labour migration procedure with a labour market test

You wish to change occupation without changing employer

A new procedure is required when the employer or the position changes

Documents to gather

The standard set of documents for the application includes:

Passport (copy and original for verification)
Colour photograph 35×45 mm
Employment contract (2+ years)
Job offer letter
Education and qualification documents
CV setting out work experience
Corporate documents of the employing company
Certificate of registration in the FIC register
Medical certificate of fitness for work
Medical test results
Proof of accommodation (tenancy or ownership)
Health insurance certificate (if required)

How the process runs

The procedure involves the company, the candidate and the state authorities:

1
Registering the company in the FIC register
A few days
The company must be registered in the Foreign Interest Companies Register through the Business Support Centre (BSC). The Centre checks that the criteria are met (capital ≥50% foreign, an independent office, staff).
2
Preparation of documents by the candidate
1–2 weeks
The candidate collects the necessary documents: passport, employment contract, diplomas, medical certificates, proof of accommodation and other requirements.
3
Submitting the application to the Migration Department
One day
The company or the candidate submits the application to the authorised unit of the Migration Department with the complete document pack.
4
Consideration and verification
Up to 1 month
The Migration Department checks the information and the documents. For highly paid specialists a labour market test is not normally carried out. The time may increase if the documents are insufficient.
5
Issue of the residence and work permit
A few days
If the decision is positive, a Temporary Residence and Employment Permit is issued. The permit is tied to the employer and may be reassessed if the job changes.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of an FIC employee can be brought in as dependants if the sponsor has sufficient means.

Spouse or partner

May obtain dependant status where the sponsor has an annual income of €28,800 (base €24,000 + 20%)

Children under the age of 21

May be included where the sponsor's annual income is €24,000 + 15% per child

Young adult children (21–25)

Included if they have not completed their studies or less than 1 year has passed since graduation

Dependants of the ascending line (parents)

Included where the sponsor's income is €24,000 + 15% per dependant

Renewal and the grace period

The residence and work permit may be renewed while the employment relationship continues and all the conditions of the programme are met. Renewal may be applied for several months before the current permit expires. A change of employer requires a new permit application.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	FIC work residence permit	Residence permit for the financially independent	Permanent residence by investment
Visa term	The permit and residence permit are usually for 1–2 years, renewable while the job continues	The Pink Slip is usually issued for 1 year (sometimes 1–2), renewed annually	Permanent residence with no annual renewal; card replaced every 10 years
Grounds	Employees of international companies	No right to work	Property from €300,000
Work	Full employment with the FIC; a change of employer means a new procedure	Employment in Cyprus is not allowed; passive income only	Passive income; employment is not desirable, business/dividends are allowed
Residence	No more than 90 days of absence a year; 183 days for tax purposes	Do not stay away for more than about 90 consecutive days or six months	Must not be absent for more than 2 consecutive years

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Permanent residence after 5 years of actual residence

Route to citizenship

Citizenship after permanent residence and ~7 years in total

Frequently asked questions about FIC work residence permit

What minimum salary does the programme require?

For highly paid specialists the minimum is €2,500 a month (gross). There is a transitional period for employees with BCS Key Personnel status earning €2,000 or more, which runs until the end of 2026.

How long is the residence and work permit valid for?

The permit is issued for a period matching the length of the employment contract, but for no more than three consecutive years. Renewal depends on the employment relationship continuing and on all the programme's criteria being met.

What happens if I want to change employer?

A change of employer requires a new application for a residence and work permit. The current permit is valid only for the employer named in it. The new employer must also be registered in the register of companies of foreign interests.

How long does the application take to consider?

The standard period of consideration is one month. However, if the information or documents are insufficient the timeframe may be extended. The Department will notify the candidate that further documents are needed.

Is a labour market test required?

For highly paid specialists (salary ≥€2,500 a month) no labour market test is required. This speeds up obtaining the permit considerably. For other FIC employees a check on the availability of Cypriot workers on the labour market may be required.

Can my family come with me?

Yes, a spouse, children and other dependants can obtain dependant status and a temporary residence permit. Proof of sufficient sponsor income and compliance with the other criteria (for example, valid passports and proof of dependency) is required.

Other ways to move to Cyprus

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Cyprus.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.