Deputy Minister of Migration Nikolas Ioannidis announced stricter measures for the “golden visa” program, in light of Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen Area, speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on the Monitoring of Development Plans and the Control of Public Expenditures, which reviewed the Audit Office’s special report on migration management.
Mr. Ioannidis stated that approximately 1,500 “golden visas” have been issued over the past two years and that a rigorous audit is currently underway of the holders of approximately 12,000 such visas issued since 2013, to determine whether they still meet the criteria. He also announced decisions to tighten the program, noting that Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen Area makes it more attractive and that he has made relevant recommendations to the relevant ministers.
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Among other things, he said that the direction of investments linked to the program is being examined, as well as whether these investments can also be channeled into sectors such as education, defense, and innovation, noting that “we need investments,” but these should be made “in a controlled manner.”
New Information System for Entry and Exit
The Deputy Minister also noted that work is underway to create an information system that will allow for the monitoring of third-country nationals from their entry into the Republic until their departure.
This statement was made in connection with the Audit Office’s findings for 2021-23, which had found that approximately 290,000 third-country nationals who had legally entered Cyprus appeared in the available data without their departure being recorded. Mr. Ioannidis noted that the data has now changed and that the integration of information systems with other ministries is underway, while the new system is expected to be installed in March.
He cited, among other things, departure from an uncontrolled border crossing, obtaining a residence permit, departure using a different passport, or other circumstances as possible reasons for the absence of a departure record.
At the same time, the Deputy Minister announced that the digitization of immigration services is moving forward. In the first phase, citizens will be able to renew their residence permits online for five categories, while they will also be able to track the status of their application electronically and receive an SMS when the process is complete.
Reduction in Pending Asylum Applications
Mr. Ioannidis noted that the number of pending asylum applications has decreased from approximately 24,000 when the Deputy Ministry was established to fewer than 12,500 today, while regarding applications from Syrians, he said that from December 2024 to the present, more than 6,100 applications have been withdrawn or revoked, and approximately 5,500 people have returned. For the first eight months of 2026, returns have exceeded 7,000, compared to more than 12,000 departures in 2025.
Referring to asylum applications, he said that the approval rate currently stands at 15%–20%, while a large proportion of those in Cyprus have subsidiary protection status.
The issue of the rights of those granted protection status was raised by DISY MP Giorgos Pamporidis, requesting clarification on the percentage of applications that are approved and the rights granted to beneficiaries, including the possibility of obtaining Cypriot citizenship after five years. Mr. Ioannidis clarified that subsidiary protection is distinct from refugee status and is temporary in nature; that illegal entry into the Republic precludes the acquisition of Cypriot citizenship, and that the number of years spent in the Republic is not the sole criterion for acquiring citizenship.
AKEL MP Marina Nikolaou emphasized the need for adequate staffing of the Asylum Service so that applications can be processed in a timely manner while respecting human rights. The Deputy Minister noted that the process of filling permanent positions at the Asylum Service is currently underway—whereas in the past it was staffed primarily by temporary personnel—and that applications are reviewed in accordance with international and European law.
Ms. Nikolaou also raised AKEL’s request for the Republic of Cyprus to be exempted from the Dublin Regulation, which traps asylum seekers in the first country of reception, with Mr. Ioannides responding that Cyprus has not taken such a step, as the Regulation is part of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Checks at the Green Line
The issue of the Green Line was also raised strongly. Committee Chairman Zacharias Koulias stated that “the situation at Pyla is not good” and spoke of gaps in controls, while also raising the issue of checks at entry points, such as marinas.
Deputy Police Chief Michalis Katsounotos reported that daily patrols are conducted in these specific areas and that illegal vehicles and foreign nationals in transit are being intercepted. He added that, as part of Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen Area, there is a legal framework for cooperation with the British Bases and for strengthening controls to and from the occupied areas.
Mr. Ioannidis stated that Cyprus does not implement an immigration procedure at the Green Line, but specific checks are in place, emphasizing that “we will never accept it becoming a hard border.”
Benefits have been cut by 50%
Mr. Ioannides also addressed the economic cost of migration, noting that benefits have decreased significantly over the past two years due to the reduction in migration flows. He stated that in early 2026, the amount stood at €15 million, compared to €49 million when he took office as Deputy Minister.
ELAM MP Evgenios Hamboullas requested a more detailed breakdown of the costs and asked whether Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen Area could lead to new waves of irregular. ELAM MP Polys Anogiriatis requested detailed breakdowns of government spending, European funding, and the recovery of funds from previous years.
The Deputy Minister noted that a large portion of the cost of managing migration is covered by European funds, with the “Pournara” having been upgraded with 100% European funding, “Limnes” by 85%, while repatriations are funded at a rate of 80%–85%.
Targeted Recruitment of Labor
Regarding legal immigration, Mr. Ioannides noted that Cyprus needs workers in the construction and hospitality industries, as well as nurses. AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros requested clarification on the economy’s need for workers from third countries, housing, and inspections.
The Deputy Minister stated that bilateral agreements have been concluded with Egypt and India to attract workers in a more targeted manner, while there are currently approximately 200,000 valid residence permits for third-country nationals.
Regarding unaccompanied minors, Mr. Ioannidis noted that their number has decreased from approximately 1,100 when he took office as Deputy Minister to 130 today. He added that age verification is being carried out and that there are no plans to create new facilities.
92% Decrease in Irregular Arrivals
In remarks following the session, Mr. Ioannidis noted that during the first eight months of 2026, irregular arrivals had decreased by 92% compared to the same period in 2022, while new asylum applications have decreased by 93%.
He also noted that from January 2026 to the present, nearly 7,000 third-country nationals have been returned, while since 2023, returns have totaled approximately 40,000. As he said, Cyprus now has the ability to participate in and organize joint European return operations in cooperation with Frontex.
“Migration policy cannot be effective if return decisions remain on paper. Anyone who does not have the right to remain in the Republic must return to their country, and this is being implemented in practice today,” he said.
As a prime example of the change that has taken place in migration management, he cited the “Pournara” Center, where, as he noted, the number of residents has been reduced from more than 3,000 in 2022—in a facility with a capacity of approximately 1,000 people—to 165 today.
The Deputy Minister also referred to the new border procedure, noting that in some cases the review of asylum applications was completed by both the Asylum Service and the Court within two weeks.
Regarding legal immigration, he emphasized that unemployment among Cypriots is currently below 5% and that there are real labor shortages in key sectors.
“Legal, organized, and controlled immigration is part of the solution,” he said, emphasizing that the economy’s needs must be met through legal and controlled channels and not through abuse of the asylum system.
When asked to comment on foreign nationals involved in clashes, the Deputy Minister said that, depending on their status, their asylum application is reviewed immediately, or their protection status or residence permit is revoked, with the aim of repatriating them.
“If they have asylum, it will be revoked; if they have a work or student permit, those permits will be revoked and they will be repatriated,” he said, adding that “the mechanism has been established and is in operation.”
Statements by Members of Parliament
The Committee Chair, DIKO MP Zacharias Koulias, acknowledged the significant efforts and results of the Deputy Ministry of Migration, noting that the reduction in the number of asylum applications and the acceleration of their processing are relieving pressure on schools and hospitals. At the same time, he raised the issue of better coordination with the courts, citing cases in which individuals awaiting a decision on their status—and suspecting it will be revoked—fail to appear in person and subsequently cannot be located for deportation.
ELAM MP, Polys Anogiriatis, noted that the latest data show a significant decrease in asylum applications and an increase in returns, emphasizing, however, that monitoring must continue. He stated that data had been requested regarding the approximately 13,000 cases for which a final return decision has been issued, as well as regarding individuals who have not been located, while requesting an update on the weaknesses of the information systems and the actual annual cost of managing migration, as well as the burden on the state budget in 2027. He also stated that they would continue to exert pressure until every individual without a legal right to remain returns to their country.
Odysseas Michaelides, President and Member of Parliament for ALMA, stated that the Deputy Minister and the Government should be credited with the significant improvement in the situation, noting, however, that the Committee requested information regarding individuals who enter the Republic legally but whose departure is not recorded. He also said that they had requested clarification regarding the “golden visa,” a program that remains in effect and, in his view, puts pressure on the housing market, and that, in light of Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen Area, it will become even more attractive, as beneficiaries will be able to move freely within the EU.
Source: CNA
