Appellate court overturns decision declaring a mixed-marriage sham in Cyprus

The Administrative Court of Cyprus has overturned a government decision that had previously declared a marriage between a Cypriot woman and a Nigerian national as a sham. The marriage, which took place in September 2019, was challenged by the woman's parents, who alleged that the Nigerian husband was exploiting their daughter to obtain a residence permit. In November 2022, the Civil Registry and Migration Department officially informed the man that his marriage was considered fictitious, citing a lack of cohabitation, absence of joint financial obligations, and contradictions in the couple's statements.

However, the appellate court ruled that the migration authorities failed to conduct an adequate investigation. Specifically, the court noted that authorities neglected to evaluate critical evidence, such as a joint bank account and the valid reasons the couple had for not living together. Ironically, a letter sent by the bride’s parents to the Minister of Interior, which aimed to discredit the man, actually served as evidence for the couple, as it confirmed that the woman kept the marriage secret due to family objections regarding her husband's background. While the court canceled the 'sham' designation, the legal status of the resident remains subject to ongoing administrative scrutiny.