A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus – What Jobs Can Asylum Seekers Do in Cyprus?
Understanding which sectors you can legally work in — and when you’re allowed to start — is the first step to finding a job in Cyprus. Here’s what you need to know.
Step 1: Know When You Can Start Working
📌The Waiting Period
Access to the labour market is currently allowed from nine months after the date you submitted your asylum application, subject to certain formalities being completed.
Step 2: Know Which Sectors Are Open to You
📌Allowed Fields of Work
As an asylum seeker, you can currently work in the following sectors:
- Agriculture & livestock: agricultural workers, livestock workers
- Fisheries & farming: fishery workers, fish farm workers, animal caretakers, feed production workers
- Food production: poultry workers, night-shift production workers in bakeries and dairies, fish shop workers, kitchen assistants
- Waste & cleaning: animal waste management workers, garbage and dog waste collection workers, sewerage and waste collection/processing workers, recycling workers, pest/rodent extermination workers, cleaners and laundrette workers (homes and offices)
- Logistics & transport: loading and unloading porters, building porters, assistant car painters and straighteners, night-shift petrol station workers
- Delivery & promotion: ready-made food delivery workers, distributors of promotional and informational material
- Gardening: gardeners
📌Once You’re a Recognised Refugee
Once your asylum claim is approved, you’re entitled to equal treatment with Cypriot citizens for any profession or independent activity — no more restricted list of sectors — subject only to the standard registration with the Tax Department, the Social Insurance Services, and other general conditions of employment.
Step 3: Understand the Risks of Working Outside These Rules
📌Unlawful Employment
If you work in a profession outside the list above, you can only challenge this after your asylum application has received a negative decision. If the Administrative Court also rejects your recourse against that negative decision, working outside the permitted list becomes a criminal offence — for both you and your employer.
Your Next Steps
- Check whether nine months have passed since you submitted your asylum application.
- Look for job openings only within the sectors listed above.
- Once recognised as a refugee, feel free to apply for any profession.
- If you’re unsure whether a job is permitted, ask at Caritas or another NGO before accepting it.
Source: Inclusive Labour Market — A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, May 2023.