Cyprus reports significant decline in irregular migration and asylum applications

Cyprus has recorded a substantial decrease in irregular migration during the first half of 2026, with irregular arrivals dropping by 92 percent and new asylum applications falling by 93 percent compared to the same period in 2022. Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, attributed these results to a shift in policy from passive management to strict enforcement, including enhanced sea and Green Line patrols, cooperation with countries of origin, and the dismantling of smuggling networks.

Key statistics reveal a notable decline in Syrian asylum claims, which decreased by 96.8 percent compared to the first half of 2024. Additionally, pending asylum applications dropped from 24,000 in June 2024 to approximately 13,500 by the end of July 2026. Since the beginning of 2025, nearly 2,000 applications from Syrian nationals have been rejected. Meanwhile, the police and the Migration Department reported 5,106 repatriations of third-country nationals since the start of 2026.

Authorities continue to urge non-eligible migrants to participate in the voluntary return program, which is scheduled to conclude on October 30, 2026. The government remains focused on ensuring that international protection is reserved only for those who meet the necessary legal criteria, while continuing to process both voluntary and forced returns to manage current caseloads.