Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

Return Migration: Policies and Practices
In 2000, Cyprus introduced a new asylum law, and in connection with that, established a Refugee
Authority, which took over the examination of asylum claims and all responsibilities for
granting asylum from UNHCR; previously the latter had been responsible for the asylum application
procedure. The law was amended in 2002 to incorporate the non-refoulement principle
into Cypriot asylum legislation.
Asylum applications can be submitted at entry points and are handled by the Migration Department,
which then submits an assessment to the Refugee Authority. When the Refugee Authority
took over asylum determination in January 2002, there were 1,144 requests (about 1,302 persons)
and 592 requests pending, of which 214 were rejected. At the end of that same year,
Cyprus hosted about 1,700 asylum seekers and about 90 recognized refugees. UNHCR remains
responsible for claims (five in 2002) in the northern part of the island.
In its continuing efforts to counter the effects of irregular migration, Cyprus has also concluded
several readmission and cooperation agreements with neighbouring countries and with Italy.
1.2 LEGISLATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PROVISIONS
The legal acts regulating forced migration in Cyprus are:
The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus;
The Aliens and Immigration Act Cap. 105 as amended by the laws of 1974-1998;
The Aliens and Immigration Regulations of 1972 and 1998;
The Asylum Law of 2000 (including the Dublin Convention provisions; and for the granting
of temporary status in case of mass influxes), and its amendment of 2002 (incorporating the
non-refoulement principle);
The Combating of Trafficking of Persons and Sexual Exploitation of Minors Law of 2000;
The Penal Code.
Entry for foreigners 5 into the Republic of Cyprus is possible on the following legal grounds:
Permit for transit;
Working permit and self-employer working permit;
Permit for students;
Tourist visa;
Claim for asylum.
Any person contravening the obligations arising from their stay permit status or having no legal
grounds to stay in Cyprus, are considered to be illegal immigrants and are subject to expulsion
and forced return. The Chief Immigration Officer (Minister of Interior) has the authority to order
detention and expulsion in those cases.
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