FORCED DEPORTATIONS BEGIN, STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMITS WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED

The authorities of the Republic of Cyprus have announced a transition to the forced return of Syrian citizens who no longer have legal grounds for staying on the island.

This was stated by the Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection, Nicolas Ioannidis, on the Sigma television channel.

What is known at the moment?

🔹 Refusal of asylum and review of protection

Since December 2024, more than 5,000 applications by Syrian citizens for asylum have been rejected in Cyprus. Previously issued statuses of international protection are also being reviewed.

🔹 Mass voluntary return

According to the deputy minister, about 6,000 Syrians have already voluntarily left the island, and more than 6,000 have declared their intention to return.

🔹 Checks of student residence permits

The authorities are paying special attention to foreigners who obtain a student residence permit but in fact do not attend educational institutions, using this status mainly for work.

As an example, the official cited citizens of Pakistan involved in incidents in Limassol. According to him, the residence permits of some of them have already been revoked.

In the near future, additional control measures for foreign students are planned to be announced. The authorities are discussing them with representatives of universities and colleges.

🔹 Reduction of illegal migration

According to the Ministry, the number of illegal arrivals has decreased by 92% compared to 2020.

In 2022, almost 22,000 arrivals were registered, while in 2026 — about 1,400.

Over the past three years, almost 40,000 migrants have been returned from the island.

What does this mean for foreigners living in Cyprus?

Migration policy is becoming stricter. Special attention is paid to compliance with the conditions on the basis of which the residence permit was issued.

A student residence permit implies real study, and not only formal enrollment in an educational institution.

At the same time, it is important to understand: the strengthening of control does not mean the automatic revocation of all student residence permits or residence permits. Decisions are made within the framework of current legislation and taking into account specific circumstances.

Source: Cyprus FAQ

https://cyprus-faq.com/ru/south/news/kipr-prinuditelnye-vysylki-sirijcev-studencheskie-vnzh/