On 1.08.2024, the Aliens and Immigration (Amendment) Law of 2024 [L.111(I)/2024] was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic. This law incorporates into Cypriot law the Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2021 on the conditions of entry and residence of third country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment.

“Highly qualified employment” means the employment of a person who:

• in the Member State concerned, is protected as an employee under national employment law or in accordance with national practice, irrespective of the legal relationship, for the purpose of exercising genuine and effective work for, or under the direction of, another person;
• is paid for that work; and
• has the required higher professional qualifications.

“Higher professional qualifications” means qualifications attested by evidence of higher education qualifications or higher professional skills.

“Higher professional skills” means minimum professional experience of three (3) years within the seven (7) years preceding the EU Blue Card application, for the occupations listed in Annex I of the Directive (EU) 2021/1883:

• 133 — ICT Services Managers
• 25 — ICT Professionals