Who fills it in
Employers hiring a third-country national under the general employment (GEN) scheme, and the worker, who signs once in Cyprus. It also covers special groups such as athletes, coaches, priests, trainee accountants and bartenders. Staff of foreign-interest companies use MBCS4; Blue Card holders use MBCEU1.
What goes with it
- Copy of a passport valid at least six months beyond the permit requested
- Department of Labour approval allowing the employer to hire third-country nationals
- Employment contract signed and stamped by the Department of Labour, with stamped copies
- Employer's declaration on honour to cover the worker's repatriation costs
- Copy of the employer's ID card, if the employer is an individual
- First permit: original medical tests (hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis, chest X-ray) and a clean criminal record from abroad, certified
- After arrival: original entry permit (M70), passport page with the entry stamp, medical tests certified by a doctor in Cyprus
- Plan A health insurance (or GESY plus repatriation cover) and employer's liability insurance
- Change of employer: original release agreement or Labour Relations decision (valid 30 days) and a Social Insurance statement
- Declaration of Mailing Address
Field by field
Type of application
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Issue of an entry permit, registration and issue of a temporary residence permit Έκδοση Άδειας Εισόδου, Εγγραφή και Έκδοση Άδειας Προσωρινής Διαμονής | The usual first application: the worker is abroad and has never been registered in Cyprus. | Ticked |
| Issue of an entry permit and a temporary residence permit Έκδοση Άδειας Εισόδου και Άδειας Προσωρινής Διαμονής | Entry permit for a worker who already has an ARC from an earlier stay. | — |
| Issue of a temporary residence permit and registration Έκδοση Άδειας Προσωρινής Διαμονής και Εγγραφή | For someone already in Cyprus who needs first registration, for example an athlete who entered on a visa. | — |
| Issue of a temporary residence permit Έκδοση Άδειας Προσωρινής Διαμονής | For someone already registered who needs a new permit. | — |
| Renewal of a temporary residence permit Ανανέωση Άδειας Προσωρινής Διαμονής | Renewal with the same employer. This is moving online (CY Login) and will be online only from 1 January 2027. | — |
| Renewal of a residence permit due to change of employer Ανανέωση Άδειας Διαμονής Λόγω Αλλαγής Εργοδότη | For a worker moving to a new employer after a release agreement or a labour dispute decision. | — |
Purpose of temporary residence permit
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Employee / Priest / Food handler / Nurse / Athlete / Bartender / Coach / Trainee accountant / Livestock-agriculture labourer / Creative artist / Performing artist / Employee at official works at the EEZ (over six months) / Creative or performing artist supportive staff / Holder of a Special Identity Homogeneous Card Εργαζόμενος / Ιερέας / Χειριστής Τροφίμων / Νοσοκόμος / Αθλητής / Πωλητής Ποτών / Προπονητής / Εκπαιδευόμενος Λογιστής / Εργάτης κτηνοτροφίας - γεωργίας / Πνευματικός Δημιουργός / Ερμηνευτής / Εργαζόμενος σε επίσημα έργα στην ΑΟΖ / Υποστηρικτικό προσωπικό / Κάτοχος Ειδικού Δελτίου Ταυτότητας Ομογενούς | Tick one box. Most workers tick Employee; the others are special categories with their own rules on the department's page. | Employee |
| Please specify the occupation you will be exercising Παρακαλώ δηλώστε το είδος του επαγγέλματος το οποίο θα ασκείτε | The job as written in the stamped employment contract. | COOK |
| Kurd of the approved catalogue / Syrian of Cretan origin Κούρδος Εγκεκριμένου Καταλόγου / Σύρος Κρητικής Καταγωγής | Tick only if you belong to one of these groups. Most applicants leave both empty. | — |
Part I – Particulars of the alien
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Surname(s) Επώνυμο(α) | The worker's surname exactly as in the passport. | EXAMPLE |
| Name(s) Όνομα(τα) | All first names as in the passport. | NIMAL |
| Maiden surname Οικογενειακό επώνυμο | Surname at birth, if it has changed. | — |
| Country of usual residence Χώρα συνήθους διαμονής | Where the worker lives now. | SRI LANKA |
| Date and place of birth Ημερ. και τόπος γέννησης | Day/month/year, then city and country. | 12/12/1993, KANDY, SRI LANKA |
| Nationality Υπηκοότητα | Current nationality. | SRI LANKAN |
| Marital status Οικογενειακή κατάσταση | Tick Married, Single, Divorced, Separated or Widowed. | Single |
| In case of a polygamous marriage, number of marriages in force Σε περίπτωση πολυγαμικού γάμου, αριθμός γάμων που είναι σε ισχύ | Only for polygamous marriages. | — |
| Particulars of the travel document – No. / Place of issue / Date of expiry Στοιχεία Ταξιδιωτικού Εγγράφου – Αρ. / Τόπος έκδοσης / Ημερ. λήξης | Passport number, issuing place and expiry. The documents list asks for at least six months' validity beyond the permit. | X0000000, COLOMBO, 01/04/2032 |
| Particulars of the last entry in the Republic – Port of entry / Date of entry Στοιχεία τελευταίας εισόδου στη Δημοκρατία – Λιμένας εισόδου / Ημερ. εισόδου | Only if the worker is already in Cyprus. Leave blank on a first entry-permit application. | — |
| Sex Φύλο | Tick Female, Male or Other. | Male |
| Particulars of residence permit in the Republic – ARC / Residence status / Date of issue / Date of expiry Στοιχεία άδειας διαμονής στη Δημοκρατία – ΔΕΑ / Καθεστώς διαμονής / Ημερ. έκδοσης / Ημερ. λήξης | Only if the worker holds or held a Cyprus permit, for example on a renewal. | — |
| Contact details in the Republic – Home / office phone / Mobile / Fax / E-mail Στοιχεία επικοινωνίας στη Δημοκρατία – Τηλέφωνο οικίας / εργασίας / Κινητό / Τηλεομοιότυπο / Ηλ. Ταχ. | The worker's Cyprus phone and email, once they have them. | +357 99 000000, nimal.example@example.com |
| Residence address in the Republic – Street and street no. / Area / City Διεύθυνση διαμονής στη Δημοκρατία – Οδός και αριθμός / Περιοχή / Πόλη | Where the worker will live in Cyprus. The employer confirms this place in Part V. | 2 EXAMPLE STREET, AGIOS ATHANASIOS, LIMASSOL |
| Residence address abroad – Street and street no. / City / Postal code / Country Διεύθυνση διαμονής στο εξωτερικό – Οδός και αριθμός / Πόλη / Ταχ. Κώδ. / Χώρα | The worker's home address abroad. | 10 SAMPLE LANE, KANDY, 00000, SRI LANKA |
| Correspondence address in the Republic – Street and street no. / Area / City / Postal code Διεύθυνση επικοινωνίας στη Δημοκρατία – Οδός και αριθμός / Περιοχή / Πόλη / Ταχ. Κώδ. | Only if different from the residence address. The permit collection notice is sent here. | — |
| State the kind of accommodation where you reside in the Republic Αναφέρετε το είδος του καταλύματος που στεγάζεστε στη Δημοκρατία | Tick one: privately owned house or apartment, rented house or apartment, accommodation provided by the employer, or residence at the employer's house. | Accommodation provided by the employer |
Part II – Particulars of third-country national's family members (spouse and children)
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Full name Ονοματεπώνυμο | List the worker's spouse and children, wherever they live. Leave empty if none. | — |
| Nationality Υπηκοότητα | The family member's nationality. | — |
| Date and place of birth Ημ. και τόπος γέννησης | Day/month/year, city and country. | — |
| Relation with alien Σχέση με αλλοδαπό | Spouse, son or daughter. | — |
| Sex Φύλο | Male, female or other. | — |
| Country of residence Χώρα διαμονής | Where the family member lives now. | — |
| ARC (if applicable) ΔΕΑ (εάν υπάρχει) | Only if they already have a Cyprus ARC. | — |
| Particulars of the travel document (no. and expiry date) Στοιχεία Ταξιδιωτικού Εγγράφου (Αρ. και ημερ. λήξης) | Passport number and expiry date. | — |
Part III – Particulars of the employment
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name of the company or the employer Όνομα Εταιρείας ή Εργοδότη | The employer's registered name, as in the Department of Labour approval. | EXAMPLE TAVERNA LTD |
| Employer's reg. num. Αρ. Μητρώου Εργοδότη | The employer's Social Insurance registration number. | 000000000 |
| Address of employment – Street and street no. / Area / City / Postal code Διεύθυνση εργασίας – Οδός και αριθμός / Περιοχή / Πόλη / Ταχ. κώδ. | Where the worker will actually work. | 5 SAMPLE AVENUE, GERMASOGEIA, LIMASSOL, 0000 |
| Contact details of the company or employer or employment – Office phone / Mobile / Fax / E-mail Στοιχεία επικοινωνίας Εταιρείας ή Εργοδότη ή Εργασίας – Τηλ. εργασίας / Κινητό / Τηλεομ. / Ηλ. Ταχ. | A phone and email at the employer that the department can use. | +357 25 000000, hr@example.com |
| Sector of economic activity Τομέας οικονομικής δραστηριότητας | What the business does. | RESTAURANTS |
| Position offered to the alien (where applicable) Θέση που έχει προσφερθεί στον Αλλοδαπό (όπου εφαρμόζεται) | Job title as in the contract. | COOK |
| Monthly salary or income (€) Μηνιαίος μισθός ή εισόδημα (€) | Gross monthly salary in euro, as in the stamped contract. | 1,200 |
| Duration of the contract of employment Διάρκεια συμβολαίου απασχόλησης | The contract term. The department's page says a permit lasts up to three years at a time. | 2 YEARS |
| VAT reg. num. (where applicable) Αρ. Εγγραφής στο ΦΠΑ (όπου εφαρμόζεται) | The employer's VAT number, if registered. | CY00000000X |
Part V – Declaration of employer for proper accommodation place
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| No. – Full name – ARC Α/Α – Ονοματεπώνυμο – ΔΕΑ | The form has no Part IV; it goes from Part III to Part V. Here the employer declares the home in Part I is suitable and lists everyone living there, with ARC numbers where they have them. | 1. NIMAL EXAMPLE, — |
| Signature / Date Υπογραφή / Ημερομηνία | Signed and dated by the employer. | (signature) 10/11/2026 |
| Official declaration of the president of the community or the representative of a private employment agency – Name and surname Υπεύθυνη δήλωση κοινοτάρχη ή εκπροσώπου ιδιωτικού γραφείου εξευρέσεως εργασίας – Ονοματεπώνυμο | The community president or the agency representative confirms that the employer signed the accommodation declaration in front of them. | ANDREAS SAMPLE |
| Check the appropriate box – President of the community / Representative of the private employment agency Σημειώστε ό,τι ισχύει – Κοινοτάρχης / Εκπρόσωπος του Ιδιωτικού Γραφείου Εξευρέσεως Εργασίας | Tick who is signing. | Representative of the private employment agency |
| Name of the private employment agency Επωνυμία Ιδιωτικού Γραφείου Εξευρέσεως Εργασίας | Only if an agency representative signs. | EXAMPLE RECRUITMENT LTD |
| ID or travel document number Αριθμός Ταυτότητας ή Ταξιδιωτικού Εγγράφου | The signer's ID card or passport number. | 0000000 |
| Address – Street and street no. / Area / City / Postal code Διεύθυνση – Οδός και αριθμός / Περιοχή / Πόλη / Ταχ. Κώδ. | The signer's address. | 7 SAMPLE STREET, LIMASSOL, 0000 |
| Contact details – Home / office phone / Mobile / Fax / E-mail Στοιχεία Επικοινωνίας – Τηλέφωνο οικίας / εργασίας / Κινητό / Τηλεομοιότυπο / Ηλ. Ταχ. | The signer's phone and email. | +357 25 000001, agency@example.com |
| Signature and seal / Date Υπογραφή και σφραγίδα / Ημερομηνία | Signature, official seal and date. | (signature, seal) 10/11/2026 |
Part VI – Particulars of the employee who is replaced (not applicable in case of renewal)
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Surname(s) / Name(s) Επώνυμο(α) / Όνομα(τα) | Only if the new worker replaces a previous third-country worker. Leave the part empty on renewals or new positions. | — |
| ARC / Nationality ΔΕΑ / Υπηκοότητα | The previous worker's ARC number and nationality. | — |
| The whereabouts of the person at the submission of this application Πού βρίσκεται το πρόσωπο κατά την υποβολή αυτής της αίτησης | Tick one: has departed from the Republic, is employed elsewhere in the Republic, is illegally residing in the Republic, or other (explain). | — |
Part VII – Official declarations
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Official declaration of the employer – Name and surname of the employer / Signature / Date Υπεύθυνη δήλωση εργοδότη – Ονοματεπώνυμο Εργοδότη / Υπογραφή / Ημερομηνία | The employer, or the person signing for the company, declares that the application and documents are true. | GEORGE SAMPLE (signature) 10/11/2026 |
| Official declaration of the alien – Name and surname of the alien / Signature / Date Υπεύθυνη δήλωση αλλοδαπού – Ονοματεπώνυμο αλλοδαπού / Υπογραφή / Ημερομηνία | The form says this is filled in when the worker is already in Cyprus. | — |
| Official declaration of the private employment agency – Name and surname / Permit number / Seal / Signature / Date Υπεύθυνη δήλωση ιδιωτικού γραφείου εξευρέσεως εργασίας – Ονοματεπώνυμο / Αριθμός άδειας / Σφραγίδα / Υπογραφή / Ημερομηνία | Only if a licensed private employment agency handles the hiring: its representative's name, the agency's licence number, seal, signature and date. | ELENI SAMPLE, 000, (seal), (signature) 10/11/2026 |
For official use
| On the form | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Check whether the third-country national is a wanted or banned person Έλεγχος εάν ο υπήκοος τρίτης χώρας είναι αναζητούμενο ή απαγορευμένο πρόσωπο | Completed by the department. Leave blank. | — |
Common mistakes
- Filing before the Department of Labour has approved the employer to hire third-country nationals and stamped the employment contract.
- Ticking 'Renewal' for a change of employer. The form has a separate box, and the release agreement must be no older than 30 days.
- Medical tests or criminal record certificates that are too old: the documents list accepts medical tests up to four months old and a criminal record up to six months old.
- Leaving Part V unsigned. The employer's accommodation declaration must be confirmed by a community president or a private employment agency representative.
- The worker not registering within seven days of arriving on an entry permit, as the form requires.
- Bringing a paper renewal after 1 January 2027. Same-employer renewals are then accepted only online.
Questions
Where can I download the MGEN3 form?
From the Migration Department's remunerated employment (GEN) forms page on gov.cy, where it is listed as Form MGEN. The current file is a Word (.doc) document dated 9 March 2026, with separate supporting documents lists for first permits, renewals and change of employer.
Is MGEN3 the same as a work permit?
MGEN3 is the application for the single permit, which combines temporary residence and the right to work for a named employer. The employer first needs Department of Labour approval and a stamped contract.
How much are the fees?
The department lists €120 for an entry permit plus temporary residence and work permit, €130 for issuing or renewing the residence and work permit, and €70 for first registration in the Aliens' Register.
How long does a decision take?
The form says the application is examined within four months of submission, or of the extra documents filed after arrival. The period can be extended in complex cases or if documents are missing.
Can MGEN3 renewals be filed online?
Yes for renewals with the same employer: through gov.cy with a verified CY Login, 60 to 30 days before expiry. From 1 January 2027 these renewals are accepted only online.
Sources
- Migration Department: remunerated employment (GEN) forms page, checked 23 October 2026
- Migration Department: form MGEN3, version 9 March 2026 (Word), checked 23 October 2026
- Migration Department: supporting documents for entry permit, registration and temporary residence and work permit (Word), checked 23 October 2026
- Migration Department: supporting documents for renewal due to employer change (Word), checked 23 October 2026
- Migration Department: remunerated employment, single permit (procedure, fees, duration), checked 23 October 2026
- Migration Department: online-only renewal of certain residence permits from 1 January 2027, checked 23 October 2026
- Migration Department: employer's declaration on honour, checked 23 October 2026
Figures checked 23 October 2026. Rules change: we confirm them for your case before you act.