Is it possible to move employment or employer in Cyprus?

No, your Cyprus Work Permit is dependent on the employer who sponsored you. One may only change employment when the previous employer issues the release and a new employer obtains the new permit approval with the CRMD.

What is the total duration of the process, application-arrival?

The overall Processing Time would take between 2 and 4 months under a normal process which comprises of the employer applying to the department of labour and the issuance of the visa into the hands of the consul. The BFU fast-track route is faster.

What is Bank Letter of Guarantee?

This is a financial guarantee, typically between 341.72 and 854.30 (depending on nationality) that the employer has to deposit to a local Cypriot bank in the name of the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD).

Cyprus Hospitality Jobs Guide for Global Workers

Fancy having the view of the Mediterranean instead of commuting to work? Cyprus is a sunny tourist-friendly country, which provides thousands of Cyprus Hospitality Jobs every year. Being a non-EU employee (third country national), the trend is obvious: the island is so dependent on the foreign professional staff to fill the thriving hotels and resorts in such destinations as Ayia Napa, Paphos, and Limassol.

The Cyprus Hospitality Jobs Market Hoping to Expect

High seasonality and a clear distinction between the coastal resorts and the cities that remain open throughout the year define the Cypriot employment market especially in the hospitality sector.

Important Job Categories and Places

Seasonal Hotel jobs: This is predominant in the coastal areas (Ayia Napa, Protaras and Paphos) around the months of April/May up to the mid- months of November under Seasonal contracts. The job titles consist of Housekeeper, Kitchen Helpers and seasonal waiter/ waitress.

Full time restaurant positions: These are available throughout the year and are mostly in the larger cities like Limassol and Nicosia with more stability in Skilled hospitality positions like Chef de Partie and Bartender.
Unskilled work in Cyprus: Due to high volume of entry-level work such as Kitchen porter and Housekeeping which have very low formal qualifications, they can be solved by most international workers. Ordinarily, English communication skills (conversational) are necessary.

Compensation and Benefits

The package deal by most employers is one of the biggest attraction factors to international employees:

Salary: The entry-level positions are lower than in Northern Europe, but the Net Salary Range (in Euros per month) of the entry-level support positions can be in the range of 885-940gross (the national minimum wage during the first 6 months of the year, then increasing to 940gross thereafter, though with specific decrees in the hotel sector). Professional jobs receive much higher salaries.
Perks: In most hotel chains, Free accommodation will be paid by the employer and Free meals/Three meals/day will be included, which will significantly decrease the living expenses and augment the actual worth of the pay.

The Legal Process The Employer-Managed Process

Being a non-EU citizen, you will not be able to apply to a Cyprus Work Permit, you will have to be sponsored. Your Cypriot employer is the one who initiates and controls the whole process.

Application to be completed in stages

Job Offer and Contract: Obtain an approved job offer and sign an Employment Contract which has to be stamped by the Department of Labour.
Labor Market Test: In the majority of positions, the company has to apply to the Department of Labour in order to get a recommendation. This will constitute proving that there were no qualified EU/Cypriot applicants to the post (Labour Market Test).
Work Permit Application: The employer then is required to present the entire application package to the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD) the main approving authority. In this app, the stamped contract is included along with the recommendation of the Department of Labour.

Processing Time An average of 4-12 weeks is required to process

Work Visa Cyprus: Upon approval of the Work Permit by CRMD, the employer forwards the approval to you. The next step is to apply to the Cypriot Embassy/Consulate in your home country in the form of an entry Work Visa Cyprus (Type D or C).
Arrival and Residence Permit: When arriving in Cyprus with your approved work visa, you should visit the local police or CRMD office where you should apply to have your Residence Permit of Employment within the next seven days of arrival. It is here that your Biometric Data submission (fingerprints and photo) is done.

Dedicated and Express routes

Most hospitality positions are pursued through the Standard Permit pathway, however, sometimes specialized employees or employees of certain companies have options:

Cyprus Seasonal Work Visa: Seasonal contracts not exceeding 8 months during a 12 month period. The procedure usually takes shorter time in comparison with the normal long-term permit.
EU Blue card Cyprus: Highly specialized professionals of a high profile (are not high in direct Seasonal Hotel employment). It is very minimum gross annual salary oriented at about 3-4 times the average hospitality wage, which is a high amount of about 43,632.
Business Facilitation Unit (BFU): Provides expedited services with regard to the employment of key personnel by Foreign Interest Companies. This path is mostly targeted at expert personnel in the international business but it shows the interest of Cyprus to foreign investment.

FAQs

Is it possible to move employment or employer in Cyprus?

No, your Cyprus Work Permit is dependent on the employer who sponsored you. One may only change employment when the previous employer issues the release and a new employer obtains the new permit approval with the CRMD.
What is the total duration of the process, application-arrival?

The overall Processing Time would take between 2 and 4 months under a normal process which comprises of the employer applying to the department of labour and the issuance of the visa into the hands of the consul. The BFU fast-track route is faster.
What is Bank Letter of Guarantee?

This is a financial guarantee, typically between 341.72 and 854.30 (depending on nationality) that the employer has to deposit to a local Cypriot bank in the name of the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD).

Final Thoughts

To work in the Cyprus Hospitality Jobs as a foreign employee, it will be necessary to be patient and attentive to the paperwork used, but the benefits are high: the remunerations are competitive considering the low cost of living in the country, which is covered by the employer benefits, and the life in a safe and dynamic country of the EU.

Disclaimer

This paper is informational and educational. It is recommended that a reader check all information about Cyprus Work Permit, Work Visa Cyprus, fees, and the existing required documents with the help of the official authorities, mainly the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD) and the Department of Labour, and decide on employment and relocation before taking any decision.