Cyprus to begin forced returns of Syrians

Cyprus is preparing to begin forced returns of Syrian nationals who no longer have a legal right to remain in the country, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nikolas Ioannides has announced.

Speaking on Sigma TV’s Protoselido programme, Ioannides said the government was entering a new phase of its migration policy, focusing on people whose asylum applications have been rejected or whose international protection status has been revoked.

He also discussed a reported 92% decline in irregular arrivals compared with 2020, nearly 40,000 migrant returns over the past three years, plans for police to take over security at reception centres and new measures to prevent abuse of student residence permits.

More than 5,000 Syrian asylum applications rejected

Ioannides said more than 5,000 asylum applications from Syrian nationals had been rejected since December 2024. Authorities are also reviewing cases involving people who have already received international protection.

He argued that conditions in Syria have changed and that, in the government’s assessment, some people may no longer have the same grounds for protection.

“Forced returns will now begin,” he said, adding that Cyprus had provided protection to people facing danger but now intended to return those who no longer qualified to remain.

According to Ioannides, around 6,000 Syrians have already left Cyprus voluntarily, while more than 6,000 others have expressed an intention to return.

The government has also implemented two special assisted voluntary return programmes, with the second due to conclude at the end of October.

Ioannides said decisions taken by the Cypriot authorities had also been examined by the courts, arguing that the government’s policy was being implemented within the legal framework.

Irregular arrivals fall by 92%

The Deputy Minister said irregular arrivals had fallen by 92% compared with 2020, citing figures that show nearly 22,000 arrivals in 2022, compared with around 1,400 in 2026.

He attributed the decline to a four-part government strategy: preventing irregular arrivals, speeding up asylum decisions, improving reception facilities and increasing returns.

Measures include patrols along the Green Line, stronger maritime surveillance and cooperation with European and international organisations.

Ioannides added that Cyprus had carried out nearly 40,000 migrant returns over the past three years.

Police to take over security at Pournara and Kofinou

Ioannides confirmed that a contract with a private security company at the Pournara reception centre had expired, with police temporarily taking over related duties.

He said the change was part of a wider government plan to replace private security guards with police officers at both Pournara and Kofinou.

A meeting with the Ministers of Justice and Defence took place last Friday to discuss the arrangements. According to Ioannides, the police support the plan, while further recruitment is expected to facilitate the gradual transition.

Authorities remain alert to possible arrivals through the Green Line

Asked about reports of a possible large influx of migrants from African countries, Ioannides said the situation had not changed significantly.

He noted that thousands of third-country nationals were in the occupied north, where some had travelled to study at universities not recognised by the Republic or to work.

Despite the fall in arrivals, authorities remain alert to possible new movements across the Green Line. Ioannides said there were no longer maritime arrivals, while land arrivals remained at very low levels.

Reception facilities upgraded with EU funding

The Deputy Minister said conditions at reception and accommodation centres had improved significantly following upgrades and a reduction in the number of residents.

He said the improvements were necessary to implement the EU’s new migration and asylum framework, which provides for stricter and faster procedures.

Under the border procedure, asylum applications and related processes are to be completed within 12 weeks. Ioannides said Cyprus was managing to complete procedures even sooner for some nationalities.

He added that the upgrades had been funded entirely by the European Union, without placing a financial burden on the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus secures 1,200 relocations for 2026

Ioannides said Cyprus had strengthened its role in European migration discussions through cooperation with the MED5 group, which also includes Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain.

He recalled the spring 2024 visit to Lebanon by the President of Cyprus and the President of the European Commission, saying Cyprus had sought to highlight migration as a shared European challenge.

He also pointed to the EU solidarity mechanism, under which Cyprus has secured 1,200 relocations to other member states for 2026.

According to Ioannides, the aim is to turn European solidarity into practical relief for Cyprus’s reception facilities.

Government promises action against offences

Ioannides said the government intended to take a strict approach to criminal behaviour by foreign nationals, regardless of their residence status.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable legislation, authorities may examine whether residence permits or international protection status should be revoked, with a view to returning those concerned to their countries of origin.

He recalled that he had issued instructions the previous week to revoke residence permits held by Pakistani students and workers who had been involved in incidents.

He said public order and citizens’ safety remained key government priorities.

New measures planned for student residence permits

The government is preparing new measures to address the alleged abuse of student residence permits by third-country nationals enrolled at private colleges and universities in Cyprus.

Ioannides said authorities had identified cases in which foreign nationals enrolled at academic institutions but did not attend classes, instead working in the labour market.

He also referred to cases involving foreign students who were working on construction sites beyond permitted limits or were not meaningfully pursuing their studies.

The Deputy Minister said the government was already in contact with representatives of colleges and universities, who had expressed willingness to help address the problem.

He said measures would be announced soon, stressing that the aim was not to undermine higher education but to protect its credibility.

Cyprus, he added, had reputable academic institutions and wanted to establish itself as an international education hub.

Cooperation with Europol against smuggling networks

Ioannides said migrant-smuggling networks remained active despite the decline in arrivals.

Cypriot authorities are cooperating with police services in other countries, Europol, the European Commission and authorities in Syria and Lebanon to tackle networks that exploit migrants and put lives at risk.

He also referred to arrests made during coordinated police operations the previous week.

According to Ioannides, the profile of people attempting to reach Cyprus from Syria had changed. He said authorities were increasingly encountering individual men seeking employment, rather than families fleeing immediate danger. This was his assessment of the changing pattern of arrivals.

Legal migration and integration remain priorities

Despite the tougher approach to irregular migration, Ioannides acknowledged the contribution of foreign nationals who live legally in Cyprus.

He noted that many Syrians and Lebanese had settled on the island decades ago, established families, built businesses and contributed to Cypriot society.

Integration remains an important part of the government’s migration policy, he said. Authorities want legal residents to have opportunities to learn the language, understand Cypriot society and access the labour market.

Ioannides also recognised that several sectors of the economy need workers and that migration can support economic development.

However, he stressed that recruitment from third countries must be controlled and organised, through legal channels that meet genuine labour market needs.

He concluded that migration legislation must be enforced while ensuring that legal migration, social integration and the needs of the Cypriot economy are also addressed.

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