How to apply for asylum in Cyprus?

More and more people are forced to emigrate from their country because of persecution, torture, discrimination and threats. Therefore, many nations have opened their doors to victims of violence to provide them with international protection. Cyprus, which has more than 190,000 refugees, is one of them. This figure represents more than 20% of its population; and it receives more than a thousand requests annually, although its approval rate is 8%.

The main countries from which these immigrants come from are: India, Syria, Palestine, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Georgia and Nepal. If you would like to join the list, read on and find out, below, what are the immigration services and considerations you must take to have international protection in Cyprus.

First considerations to apply for protection in Cyprus

The government of Cyprus works with international protection partners, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), NGOs and other partners, all of which aim to safeguard the rights and welfare of refugees and asylum seekers. Therefore, you may turn to any of these agencies for assistance through the following means of contact:

• UNHCR. 22 359043 or 22 359057, [email protected].
• Ministry of the Interior. 22 445245, [email protected].
• Office of Administration and Human Rights. 22 405500 or 22405501, [email protected].
• Caritas Cyprus. 22 662606, [email protected].

Also, please note that the Refugee Law of the Republic of Cyprus states that after one month of applying for asylum, you will be able to apply for a work permit. In order to do so, you will need to register in person at the local District Labor Office.

Also, consider that the valid reasons for the asylum approval is that you have left your country for fear of persecution or other serious threats that threaten your integrity and that of your family. If so, you may apply the following procedure.

Procedure for processing an asylum request in Cyprus

If you meet the conditions to apply for asylum, and you have just entered Cyprus with your family, present the group requestas soon as possible, before the competent bodies. This is independent of the way you used to enter the territory.

The organizations that can receive the request are located at:

• Larnaca airport.
• Paphos airport.
• Larnaca seaport.
• Limassol seaport.
• District Immigration Police.
• Foreign Office.

Once on the site of your choice, the steps to follow are:

Step # 1. Complete the personal data form

Once you present yourself to the authorized agency, you must request the asylum application form in your native language or another language in which you can read and write. These documents are available in Greek, Turkish, English, French, Arabic, Farsi and Russian. If your native language is not one of the above, then you are entitled to the services of an interpreter, free of charge.

When filling out the form, write in a detailed, clear and truthful manner, the reasons for seeking asylum in Cyprus for which you do not wish or cannot return to your country of origin. At the end, you will have to complete a questionnaire on the Dublin Regulation. If you require the advice of a lawyer, one will be provided, although this is not essential to process your asylum application.

On the other hand, what is essential is that you write down your address correctly, since the file will be closed if the authorities are unable to locate you at the address you declared. On this basis, if at any time you plan to move, you will have to inform the Immigration Office immediately.

Now, if you do not have housing, do not hesitate to inform the officer assigned to you. He/she is obliged to refer you and your family to the Kofinou Reception Center for asylum seekers.

Step # 2. Interview

Through a letter, the Asylum Service will send you an invitation to the interview; the letter will indicate the time, date and place where you must appear. Remember that punctuality is key for Cyprus, that is, if you do not comply with the indications of the notification, the file will be automatically closed. However, you will be able to reopen the application by justifying the reasons for non-attendance.

During the interview, you will detail the reasons that forced you to flee your country and apply for asylum in Cyprus; if necessary, you may require the presence of a lawyer and an interpreter. This will also be the opportunity to provide any evidence you possess to support the statement in question.

Be honest, as the interviewer has the responsibility to investigate the situation in your country and will detect whether you have told the truth. Therefore, if he/she determines that you have lied or there is an inconsistency with what is reported on the questionnaire and form, your application will be rejected.

At the end of the interview, carefully read the transcript of the declaration. And ask to correct any possible errors or information that you feel is inconsistent with your narrative. Afterwards, sign the corresponding record.

It should be noted that the information you provide in this step is strictly confidential, so you can express yourself with peace of mind. The evidence will only be used to analyze the case, but will not be sent to your country of origin or disclosed to people outside the case.

Step # 3. Shipment Confirmation

After the registration process is completed, you will be given a confirmation of sending, which is the guarantee that you have applied for asylum and you can legally stay in Cyprus while the process is being resolved. It is necessary that you carry the document with you whenever you go out, to avoid being detained or even deported.

With the letter of confirmation, you will be able to go to the Labor Office to formalize the registration and to be able to exercise the right to employment. Consider that you will be able to do it once a month has passed since the beginning of the procedure.

With this document, you will also be able to receive social assistance in case you cannot find a job. And if you are unable to work due to a health limitation, then you will be assigned a medical card so that you will have access to public hospitals.

Step # 4. Medical exams

Once you receive the confirmation letter, you will have three days to carry out a series of medical examinations, in any hospital of the district that you inhabit. The office hours for asylum seekers, it is Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. The studies are totally free and the results will be confidential.

The tests seek to determine if you suffer, mainly, from:

• HIV
• Hepatitis
• Syphilis
• Tuberculosis

When they give you the results, you must take them to the Foreign Police and they will take care of sending them to the Asylum Service.

Step #5. Apply for an Alien Registration Card (ARC)

At the end of the previous step, you will be given a Alien Registration Card (ARC), which you will pick up at the Immigration Police Office of the district of domicile. Each family member you will receive yours, individually.

Step # 6. Decision

The law of the Republic of Cyprus provides that the deadline for issuing a decision of the procedure is six months. However, you can apply a extension for a period of others nine months (total one year and three months), in the following circumstances:

• There are a large number of applications in process
• There is a complicated legal issue in the case.
• The interview was rescheduled due to absence.

Additionally, the process can extend three more monthsif necessary, for a deeper evaluation. In conclusion, the maximum waiting time to know the decision of the asylum procedure will be 18 months.

The answer can be positive, which means that you were accepted as a refugee or with subsidiary protection. The latter refers to the fact that you run risks in your country of origin, but not according to the concept of refuge. In any case, you will receive a acknowledgement letter depending on the condition.

For its part, the answer may be negative. However, you will have the right to file a appeallooking at the steps here. What you can apply, equally, if you are chosen by subsidiary protection and you want to get the refugee status.

Rights and duties as an asylum seeker in Cyprus

While the Immigration Office examines the petition, you will stay in the country with the legal status of an asylum seeker; besides, you will have certain benefits and obligations under the Republic of Cyprus Refugee Law. Let’s see what they are:

Indeed, Cyprus and its reception system aim to assist all persons seeking help in the territory. Therefore, if you are in danger in your home country, do not hesitate to apply for asylum in this country. The process promises to be a bit slow, but it offers many essential benefits for personal and professional growth.