Illegal migration in Cyprus has fallen by 92 percent. The island needs workers.

The number of people arriving in Cyprus illegally has fallen by 92% compared to the peak in 2022. The Pournara reception center, which housed over 3,000 people four years ago, now houses just 142 migrants.

At the same time, the island is facing a labor shortage. The government wants to limit illegal border crossings while promoting legal labor migration. Cyprus has signed a labor recruitment agreement with Egypt and is preparing a similar agreement with India.

Illegal migration in Cyprus has fallen by 92 percent.

Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides said that this significant decline was not the result of a single decision. He believed it was the result of several simultaneous actions.

Surveillance along the Green Line has been stepped up, cameras have been installed, and maritime patrols have been increased. The processing of asylum applications and the return of those denied protection have also been expedited.

Previously, processing an application could take years. Now, in simpler cases, a decision can be issued within weeks or months. This is particularly true for individuals from countries considered safe.

Since the beginning of 2026, more than 4,000 people have been repatriated or deported. Authorities are also cooperating with third countries, European Union countries, and Europol to combat human smuggling groups.

The Green Line is no longer the main route

For several years, a significant proportion of migrants entered the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus through the northern part of the island and then crossed the Green Line.

According to authorities, some of these journeys were organized by smuggling groups. Migrants arrived via Turkey and were then directed towards areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus.

The government also conducted information campaigns in sub-Saharan African countries. According to the authorities, some people did not understand the location and status of Cyprus. Some believed that from the island they could easily reach continental Europe.

Cyprus has not held direct talks with Turkey on this matter. Instead, the European Commission has been asked to take appropriate action. Authorities also point out that Türkiye itself has tightened its migration policy.

142 people stayed at the Pournara center

The decline in the number of illegal arrivals has significantly reduced the pressure on reception centres.

During the last visit, 142 people were staying at Pournara. At the beginning of 2022, there were over 3,000. The Kofinou center currently houses around 500 people, mostly families.

Around 12,000 asylum applications are still pending.

The number of unaccompanied minors has also decreased. When the Vice-Ministry of Migration and International Protection was established in 2024, there were approximately 1,100. Currently, there are approximately 350.

Of these, 132 live in facilities provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The rest are staying with foster families or relatives.

More than 5,000 Syrians have returned to their homeland

Since the end of hostilities in Syria, approximately 5,500 people previously in Cyprus have decided to voluntarily return.

Some withdrew their asylum applications or renounced the protection granted. In other cases, applications were rejected or their protection status was revoked, among other reasons.

Nicholas Ioannides assessed that difficult living conditions in Syria do not in themselves constitute grounds for asylum. However, the government's stance on the safety of returns to the country may still be controversial.

Cyprus is working with the International Organization for Migration on a program to help returnees resettle in Syria.

A solution has also been introduced allowing one member of a Syrian family to remain in Cyprus with a work permit, while the others return to the country voluntarily.

Cyprus needs foreign workers

The decline in illegal migration doesn't mean the government wants to restrict the entry of all foreigners. On the contrary, with unemployment at around 4%, foreign workers are becoming essential to a portion of the economy.

Nicholas Ioannides emphasized that the primary focus is on legally employing people in industries that lack local candidates. These shortages include construction, hospitality, food service, agriculture, and home care.

Cyprus has already signed a bilateral agreement on the legal recruitment of workers from Egypt. A similar agreement is being prepared with India.

Asylum seekers can work, but only in certain sectors. The government has no plans to completely open the labor market to them, fearing that the asylum procedure will be used primarily as a means of obtaining employment.

Legal stay is supposed to be simpler

One of the biggest problems remains the bureaucracy related to the legal residence and employment of foreigners.

Some employers and households can already renew permits for selected employees and household helpers online. Additional services will gradually be transferred to the electronic system.

The deputy ministry's goal is to enable most legal migration-related matters to be handled online by the end of 2027. In the future, applicants will also be able to track the progress of their case online.

The changes primarily affect third-country nationals. As European Union citizens, Poles enjoy the right to free movement and work in Cyprus. However, for longer stays, they must still register.

The government wants to change the way migration is perceived

Cyprus has also developed a national integration strategy for those legally residing on the island. This includes language learning, acquiring qualifications, familiarizing oneself with local institutions, and working to combat stereotypes.

Authorities acknowledge that social tensions have increased during the peak of migration pressure. At the same time, they emphasize that the majority of migrants legally residing on the island work, obey the law, and participate in the economy.

The government's goal is therefore to clearly separate two issues: limiting illegal migration and developing controlled labor migration.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus, data presented in the House of Representatives.

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