Bilateral Agreements

The signing of Bilateral Agreements as regards employment does not constitute part of the main policy of the Cyprus Government. In fact, there is a special system functioning in Cyprus, which makes possible the employment of labour from any country of the world though priority is given to EU citizens. This system safeguards the protection of the foreigner’s working in Cyprus, and guarantees conditions of equal treatment according to Cyprus international obligations.

On the 25^th June 2002, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed, between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus relating to working holiday visas. This Memorandum provides that from 1^st July 2002 the Parties will issue multiple entry visas for working holidays for a period not exceeding nine (9) months within a year, to persons who satisfy each of the following requirements:

• in the case of applications by Cypriot citizens for visas to Australia, are Cypriot citizens who reside in Cyprus, and in the case of applications by Australians for visas to Cyprus, are Australian citizens who reside in Australia;
• intend primarily to holiday in Australia or Cyprus, as the case may be, for a specified period;
• are aged between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years inclusive at the time of application for the visa;
• are persons who are not accompanied by dependent children
• have not previously taken part in the working holiday scheme
• possess a valid passport and a return travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket
• possess reasonable funds for their maintenance during the period of initial stay in Australia or Cyprus as the case may be; and
• have good health and a sound background.

When visiting the DLOs, Australian citizens must have with them:

(a) their passport and other documents proving that they are working holiday visa holders,