**Cyprus Targets 20,000 Syrians with Repatriation Scheme**
Cyprus is launching a new voluntary return programme aimed at approximately 20,000 Syrians currently residing on the island with asylum or subsidiary protection status. This initiative, which offers financial incentives and allows one family member to remain in Cyprus for work, is set to run throughout the year.
Deputy Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides discussed the programme in an interview with Alpha TV on Wednesday, emphasizing that it is largely funded through European Union programmes. The scheme is designed to facilitate the repatriation of Syrians in light of the political changes in their home country following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad and the relative stabilization of the Syrian state.
Since December 2024, around 5,000 Syrians have either voluntarily left Cyprus or withdrawn their asylum applications, indicating a shift in the situation for many individuals. Ioannides stated that the programme aims to provide Syrians with the opportunity to return to their homeland and restart their lives, supported by financial incentives. Under the scheme, returning individuals will receive €2,000 each, while children will receive €1,500 each. Additionally, families who have been granted international protection status will receive an extra €1,000.
A notable aspect of the programme is that one adult family member will be allowed to remain in Cyprus legally employed until August 2028. This special residence permit will grant unrestricted access to the labour market, which is intended to assist families as they rebuild their lives in Syria and address labour shortages in certain sectors within Cyprus.
Ioannides pointed out that conditions in Syria have changed significantly since the political transition in December 2024, which has impacted the validity of many protection claims. He noted that many Syrians no longer meet the criteria for international protection, leading to the rejection of over 1,500 applications and the initiation of departure procedures for those without a legal right to remain.
The minister also highlighted a significant decline in irregular arrivals to Cyprus, which have dropped by 90% compared to 2022, with approximately 650 arrivals recorded so far this year. In addition, starting June 12, asylum seekers will now have access to employment after six months, a reduction from the previous nine-month waiting period, in line with new provisions introduced through the EU’s migration pact.
Applications for the voluntary return scheme can be submitted through various channels, including the asylum service, district immigration offices, and the Pournara reception centre in Nicosia. This initiative represents a significant shift in Cyprus's approach to managing its Syrian population and aims to balance humanitarian considerations with the needs of the local labour market.