The Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB), in consultation with the Director of the Immigration Department of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, clarifies the following in relation to the obligation to document the residence of third-country nationals who enter or reside in the Republic for employment purposes.
According to the Law on Aliens and Immigration (CAP.105), Article 18YST, for the issuance, modification or renewal of a single employment permit, the following conditions must be met:
‘(b) the third-country national holds a valid residence permit in the Republic, if he or she applies in person, with an address for residence in the areas controlled by the Government of the Republic;
…..
(e) the third-country national has accommodation which is considered satisfactory, meets the general safety and hygiene standards and generally ensures a dignified life, or is provided with such accommodation by the employer“.
In order to confirm the above by the competent authorities, the following are required:
- Presentation of title deed or rental document. It is clarified that an original copy is not required. A copy of title deed or rental document may be submitted.
- In case the title deed or the rental document is not in the name of the foreigner, then it must be accompanied by a certificate from the person whose name appears on the documents, confirming that the interested party lives in the accommodation in question.
- When entering the Republic for the first time, third-country nationals can declare a temporary residence address. This temporary address may concern hotels or other forms of temporary accommodation, until the arrangement of permanent residence.
It is understood that with the arrangement of permanent residence, the relevant information should be submitted to the competent authorities.
- During the renewal stage of the residence permit, it is also required to provide information proving the permanent address of residence, i.e. title deed or rental document, accompanied as the case may be by a certificate as mentioned above. These documents must be available and complete at the time of submission of the application.
Based on the above, and for the purpose of avoiding delays and/or problems regarding the legality of the residence of foreign workers, it is recommended that businesses adopt internal procedures in order to create a file for the registration of all documents related to the above.
In particular, businesses should ensure that employees provide all required documents in a timely manner, especially in cases where accommodation is not provided by the employer.
For the formulation of the policy, those interested can contact the Department of Labor Relations & Social Policy of OEB at 22643000.
