Factsheet for measure
CY-2024-31/3859
– measures in Cyprus
Amendment of the immigration law to facilitate the grand of the EU Blue Card
Τροποποίηση του περί αλλοδαπών νόμου για την ΕΕ μπλε κάρτα
Background information
On 11 July 2024, Cyprus amended Chapter 105 of the Aliens and Immigration Law 111(I)2024 to facilitate the issuing of the EU Blue Card for high qualified Third Country National (TCN) employees. The amendment aims to provide a more flexible framework and simplify the process for TCN qualified personnel and their families to cover the labour shortages in the areas of the labour market that requires specialised skills and competences. It is line with the EU Directive 2021/1883 on the conditions of entry of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment.
Content of measure
The EU Blue Card is issued by the Director of the Civil Registry and Immigration Department. The eligibility criteria are more flexible than before, enhance the rights of beneficiaries, define the term ‘highly qualified’ and facilitate the employment and movement of workers within the EU. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- a job offer or employment contract: applicants must have a valid job offer or employment contract for a high qualified position lasting for at least 6 months;
- salary: the offered salary must meet the national salary, which is 1 to 1.6 times the average gross annual salary of the country, the offered salary must be over €35,000;
- education: applicants must hold a university degree obtained after at least 3 years of study; alternatively, they may be certified with at least three years of relevant professional experience in the last 7 years, particularly in the field of information and communication technology;
- health security: applicants must have valid health insurance coverage in the country.
The process of the issuing of the EU Blue Card includes the submission of the necessary documents (i.e. valid passport, a signed employment contract, evidences of qualifications) and the proof of qualifications issued by the state. The Card is issued initially for 2 years and can be renewed if the holder fulfils the necessary conditions.
Use of measure
No information on the use of measure is currently available.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
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No special funding required
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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No involvement
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No involvement
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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No involvement
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
The responsible agency for the preparation of the amendment bill was the Ministry of Interior and social partners were not involved in the preparation processes. During the respective discussion of the bill in the parliament, the government has been harshly criticised by social partners, particularly by the representatives of trade unions PEO, SEK and DEOK, for the lack of consultation prior the submission of the bill in the parliament. However, the undertaking of measures facilitating the covering of labour shortages in areas that require specialised skills and competences is a standing request of social partners, particularly of the employers’ organisations and the tech enterprises.
Views and reactions
Social partners in the tech industry viewed the amendment of the law very positively. They believe that the amendment improves the framework for the attraction of high qualified professionals from third countries, particularly in the sector in the technology sector. They called the government for the swift and effective implementation of the legislation not only for the covering of the immediate labour shortages but for meeting the national goal for a prosperous digital economy
Sources
