Important: The program is not yet active, this article is informative. Follow our news for updated information.

The Cyprus Blue Card provides unique opportunities for highly skilled professionals from non-EU countries seeking employment in the European Union. It is a specialized immigration program aimed at attracting professionals to fill skills shortages in key sectors of the Cypriot economy.

Key features of the program

The Cyprus Blue Card program is designed to attract highly qualified professionals from third countries to the country, granting them the right to work and reside within the European Union. The main features of the program are the strict qualification requirements for candidates, the mandatory contract with a local employer and the possibility for long-term residence and labor migration. Let us consider each of these aspects in more detail.

1. Highly qualified candidates

One of the key requirements for obtaining a Cyprus Blue Card is that the candidate has proven high qualifications. High qualifications are defined as:

• Higher education: the candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a recognized institution. This degree must be relevant to the field in which the candidate intends to work in Cyprus.
• Professional experience: in some cases, work experience in the relevant field may be taken into account instead of a higher education degree. Usually a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the field in which the professional intends to work is required. For example, in high-tech industries such as IT, work experience is often a more important indicator of qualification than a diploma.

Qualifications must be officially confirmed through certified documents, which will be checked by local authorities when applying for a Blue Card.

2. Existence of a contract with an employer

In order to obtain a Cyprus Blue Card, a candidate must have a signed employment contract or a binding offer of employment from a company registered in Cyprus. The contract must clearly state:

• Salary above the minimum threshold: one of the features of the Blue Card is the obligation of the employer to offer a salary that exceeds the minimum level set by the state for highly skilled workers. For 2023, this threshold is €23,916 per year. This condition helps to attract really valuable specialists and maintains high salary levels in key sectors.
• Contract duration: the employment contract must be for at least one year. In the case of short-term contracts, the Blue Card is not issued.

This requirement ensures that professionals entering Cyprus with a Blue Card will have long-term stable employment, which contributes to the sustainable economic growth of the country.

3. Additional Requirements

In addition to qualifications and employment contract, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Availability of medical insurance: candidates must have medical insurance that covers all necessary expenses in case of illness or accident in Cyprus. This requirement protects both the employee and the local health care system.
• Availability of funds for living expenses: the candidate must provide proof of sufficient funds to live in Cyprus. This is usually supported by bank statements or financial guarantees from the employer.
• Clean record: candidates must provide a criminal record certificate from their home country. This is important to ensure the safety of the public and to prevent those with criminal records from entering the EU.

4. Rights and privileges of Blue Card holders

Cyprus Blue Card holders receive a number of important privileges. These include:

• Long-term residency rights: the Blue Card is issued for a period of 1 to 4 years with the possibility of renewal. This allows professionals and their families to plan their lives on a long-term basis.
• Right to move around the EU: after 18 months of residence in Cyprus, a Blue Card holder can apply for work in other EU countries while maintaining their status as a highly skilled migrant.
• Preferential conditions for family members: Blue Card holder’s family members can also obtain the right to reside and work in Cyprus with a simplified application procedure. This makes the program attractive not only for individual professionals, but also for family members wishing to settle in Europe.

Areas of skills shortage in Cyprus

There are several sectors in Cyprus that are experiencing a significant shortage of qualified professionals. According to reports from the Cyprus Ministry of Labor, highly skilled professionals are in demand in areas such as:

• Information Technology and Software Development
• Financial Services
• Healthcare
• Construction and Engineering

For employers looking for professionals in these fields, the Cyprus Blue Card becomes a key tool to attract the best talent from abroad.

Statistics and impact of the program

According to the European Commission, the Blue Card program has attracted more than 100,000 professionals across Europe as a whole in recent years, and Cyprus is prominent in this number. For example, in 2022, the number of Blue Cards issued in Cyprus increased by 15% compared to the previous year, indicating the growing popularity of the program. This trend is expected to continue in the future, especially given the rapid growth of the IT sector and digital transformation in the country.

Benefits for highly skilled workers

Cyprus offers a number of additional benefits for Blue Card holders, in addition to the opportunity to work in the EU. Among them:

• Simplified residence permit process for family members.
• The possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit after 5 years.
• Preferential conditions for the renewal of work permits.

In addition, Cyprus is not only a profitable place to work, but also a country with a high standard of living, favorable climatic conditions and affordable taxation for residents.

Application procedure and documents

The application process for a Cyprus Blue Card is quite strict and requires the preparation of a specific set of documents. Each step of the application must be completed with precision in order to avoid delays or rejections. Let’s look at the application procedure in more detail, as well as the list of required documents.

1. Initial step of the application

The first step towards obtaining a Cyprus Blue Card is to have an employer who is willing to provide a workplace that meets all the requirements of the program. It is the employer who is often the key figure at this stage, as they must prepare the necessary documents and submit the application to the Cypriot government authorities.

• Applying through the employer: In most cases, the application is made on behalf of the employer. The employer provides all information about the company and also confirms that the terms and conditions of the employment contract meet the requirements of the Blue Card program (salary, duration of the contract, etc.).
• Applying through the Migration Services: The application can be submitted directly to the Migration Services of Cyprus. It is important to note that the application is submitted either through the diplomatic missions of Cyprus in the candidate’s country of residence, or directly in Cyprus with a valid visa.

2. List of documents

In order to successfully obtain a Cyprus Blue Card, the applicant must provide a number of documents that prove his/her qualifications, employment and other necessary conditions. Here are the main documents that need to be prepared:

• Contract or offer of employment: One of the key documents is a signed contract with an employer in Cyprus. The contract must meet the established requirements, including the minimum salary (for 2023 – €23,916 per year) and the length of the employment contract – at least one year.

• Proof of qualifications: The applicant must provide evidence of their qualifications, which usually includes:

1. A higher education diploma (at least Bachelor’s degree) relevant to the field of future work in Cyprus.
2. If the applicant does not have a university degree, he/she must provide evidence of at least 5 years of professional experience in the relevant field.
3. Diplomas, certificates and references must be translated into English or Greek and notarized.

• Proof of sufficient living expenses: The candidate must prove that his/her salary or other financial resources will enable him/her to cover his/her living expenses in Cyprus. This may require bank statements or financial guarantees from an employer.
• Health Insurance: All applicants must provide a health insurance policy valid in Cyprus that covers all expenses in case of illness or accident.
• Criminal record certificate: A mandatory document that must be obtained from the applicant’s country of residence. This document confirms that the applicant has no criminal record or other legal problems that could be grounds for refusal to obtain a Blue Card.
• Application: A completed Blue Card application form. It is important that all information is accurate and correct, as errors may result in a delay in processing or denial.

3. Submission of the application and processing time

Once all documents have been collected, the application is submitted to the Cyprus Migration Authorities. The application process can be carried out either by the applicant or by the employer. Usually, the documents are submitted to the Department of Civil Registration and Migration of Cyprus. In some cases, it is possible to apply through the diplomatic missions or consulates of Cyprus in the applicant’s country of residence.

• Processing time: It usually takes between 60 and 90 days to process an application. However, in practice, this period may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the workload of the migration services. It is important to note that an application for a Blue Card may be rejected if the documents are incomplete or contain errors.
• Obtaining the card: If the application is approved, the applicant is issued a Blue Card, which serves as both a residence and work permit in Cyprus. The card is issued for a period of 1 to 4 years depending on the employment contract and can be extended if necessary.

3. Important nuances of filing

There are a few key things to consider when filing for a Blue Card:

• Filing electronically: Many EU countries, including Cyprus, have recently offered an electronic filing system, which makes the process much easier and allows you to track the status of your application online.
• Blue Card expiration date: Once the Blue Card expires, it can be renewed if the employment contract is extended or if the applicant receives a new job offer that meets the program requirements.
• Change of employer: It is important to note that during the first 18 months of employment in Cyprus with a Blue Card, a change of employer is only possible with the authorization of the state authorities. After this period, authorization is not required and the professional can move to a new job within the same profession.

5. After obtaining the Blue Card

Once a Blue Card is issued, the cardholder has access to many rights and privileges, including the possibility of long-term residence in Cyprus, access to social services and the possibility of working in other EU countries after 18 months of residence. Family members can also apply to live and work in Cyprus, making the program attractive to professionals planning to relocate with their families.

Conclusion

The Cyprus Blue Card is a great opportunity for highly qualified professionals and their families not only to legalize their stay in the country, but also to gain access to the EU labor market. The program plays an important role in the development of the Cypriot economy, attracting talent from all over the world and strengthening the country’s position in the international arena. The number of Blue Card applications is expected to increase in the coming years, making it one of the most sought-after programs for professionals migrating to the European Union.

The process of applying for the Cyprus Blue Card requires careful attention to every stage – from preparing documents to communicating with the migration authorities. It is important to complete all documents correctly, meet the requirements of the program and follow the established procedures to avoid delays or refusals. Almanova Law specialists have extensive experience in the field of migration law and are ready to provide full legal support at all stages of the application process. We will assist you with the preparation of documents, interaction with government authorities and ensure that you successfully obtain a Cyprus Blue Card, ensuring that the process is fast and efficient.