**Migration Ministry Presents New Voluntary Return Plan for Syrians**
The Deputy Ministry of Migration in Cyprus has unveiled a new initiative aimed at facilitating the voluntary return of Syrian families to their home country. This plan, presented on Tuesday, includes financial incentives that can reach up to €2,000 per person, intended to encourage those who are not entitled to asylum to leave the Republic of Cyprus.
Deputy Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides emphasized the importance of this program, stating, “Those who are not entitled to asylum should immediately depart the Republic of Cyprus. Those who choose to join this plan can do so with support, with clear procedures and with dignity.” The initiative is specifically designed for families of Syrian nationals and couples without children, provided that at least one spouse has submitted a request for international protection or has received relevant status before the deadline of December 31, 2024.
Under the new scheme, one adult family member may remain in Cyprus for employment purposes. This individual will be granted a special two-year residence permit, allowing free access to the labor market until August 31, 2028. Meanwhile, the remaining family members who opt for the return will receive financial support: €2,000 for each returning adult, €1,500 for each returning child, and an additional €1,000 for families that have already been granted international protection status.
Ioannides noted that the financial incentives for this program will primarily be funded through European programs, highlighting the collaboration between Cyprus and the European Union in addressing migration issues. He stated that the new plan aims to integrate migration management with the needs of the labor market, ensuring that the return process is safe and dignified while affirming that asylum should only be granted to those who qualify.
As part of this initiative, the Deputy Minister indicated that the process of revoking asylum status for certain Syrian nationals has already commenced, with over 1,500 asylum applications having been rejected to date. He reiterated that individuals whose asylum applications have been denied or whose status has been revoked will be required to leave Cyprus.
The introduction of this new scheme follows a pilot project launched in 2025, which involved around 900 participants. However, Ioannides reported that none of these individuals have returned to Cyprus since their departure.
Interested parties wishing to participate in the voluntary return program can submit their applications at various locations, including the offices of the asylum service, police immigration department district offices, and the Pournara reception center in Nicosia.
This announcement comes shortly after the European Union revealed plans to allocate €800 million to Cyprus for immigration-related efforts from 2028 to 2034. Ioannides stressed the necessity for Cyprus to secure additional funding to effectively manage the ongoing migration situation, noting that a significant portion of the required funds should come from the EU. In the current funding period, Cyprus has been approved for €480 million, with €304 million already allocated to various projects, including enhancements to the Limnes reception center and upgrades to the Pournara reception center.
The new voluntary return plan reflects Cyprus's ongoing efforts to manage migration while addressing the needs of its labor market and ensuring that humanitarian principles are upheld in the process.