Cyprus begins forced returns of rejected Syrian asylum seekers
Deputy Migration Minister Nikolas Ioannidis says Syrians who have exhausted legal appeals and lost protection status must now leave, as Nicosia also moves to curb student-visa abuse.
Cyprus has moved from voluntary to compulsory returns for Syrian nationals who no longer hold a legal right to stay, according to Deputy Migration Minister Nikolas Ioannidis, speaking on the programme «Τομές στα Γεγονότα». He said around 2,500 Syrian asylum applications have been rejected and international protection withdrawn from more than 2,000 people.
Two voluntary departure schemes offering EU-funded incentives ran last summer and expired at the end of October, but several thousand Syrians remain on the island. Ioannidis said removals began in recent days with police support, and that trafficking networks are still active despite the change of government in Syria.
He also flagged abuse of the foreign-student route: 40% of those who arrived in 2025 to study English before enrolling at academic institutions never attended courses and ended up working instead. Measures are being prepared with the Education Ministry and are expected within days.
What it means for residents
The shift to enforced removals changes the practical picture for anyone whose status depends on a pending or rejected Syrian claim, and for the employers and landlords dealing with them.
- Check your paperwork. If a claim has been refused and appeals are exhausted, legal stay is gone — take advice before any interaction with immigration officers.
- Employers and landlords. Hiring or housing someone without valid status carries risk; verify residence documents rather than relying on an pending application.
- Students. Expect tighter checks on English-language course enrolments and attendance in the coming weeks.
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