Filenews 16 November 2025 - by Michalis Chatzivasilis
Irregular migration is changing, as well as legal immigration. Depending on political and economic developments, immigration also evolves, with Cyprus receiving thousands of foreigners depending on where a war breaks out in our neighbourhood, or what the needs of the economy are. An x-ray of legal migration reveals who raises our children, who takes care of our elderly or sick parents, or who finds refuge in war zones. At the same time, our country, according to the Deputy Minister of Migration Nicolas Ioannides, has been transformed into a center for highly specialized immigrants both in the financial sector and in the field of technology "a fact that raises the level of Cyprus".
In an interview with "F", Mr. Ioannidis emphasizes that the effective response to irregular migration and human trafficking by criminal networks is to strengthen legal migration channels. At the same time, it clarifies that when a foreigner does not comply with the law, then, in addition to criminal sanctions, he may be asked to return to his homeland. According to data provided to us by the Deputy Minister of Immigration, at the moment there are about 200,000 third-country nationals who are legally on the island, not counting the Europeans, nor of course the illegals.
– What is the policy of the Deputy Ministry in relation to legal immigration and what are the challenges it faces?
– The rationalization of legal migration and the emphasis on its developmental role is a strategic priority of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection (YMDP) and a central axis of government policy. It is not seen as a narrow, managerial responsibility, but as a driver of progress that allows the economy to fill existing skills gaps, attract talent and investment, and boost productivity. The organized admission of workers and students, the matching of skills with real market needs and fair, predictable procedures for employers and employees create planning security, allow businesses to expand responsibly, shield social cohesion and strengthen the economy.
At the same time, the modernization and digitization of the services of the YMDP improve service, reduce bureaucracy and increase transparency, so that the state can operate faster and more efficiently for the benefit of citizens and the economy. In this context, targeted legal migration tools with a clear added value are used: the European Blue Card attracts highly skilled third-country nationals, offering favourable conditions for residence and work, in order to strengthen key sectors of the economy with cutting-edge human resources. The Digital Nomads project is aimed at digital economy professionals who operate internationally and choose Cyprus as a base for providing services, strengthening our technological and business ecosystem. The innovative "Visitor Scheme – Programme Monitoring" facilitates the participation of third-country nationals in approved maritime and aviation training programmes, opening up prospects for investment in these areas.
Strengthening legal migration channels is not only economically beneficial, but also an effective response to irregular migration and human trafficking by criminal networks. When institutional, transparent and accessible avenues are open and operate quickly and reliably, the incentive to resort to illicit networks is reduced, while law enforcement authorities can focus resources on tackling criminal networks.
In addition, through an effective legal immigration system, there is a clear picture of the numbers of foreigners in the country and better control over them. Therefore, when a foreigner does not comply with the current legislation, then, in addition to criminal sanctions, he may be asked to return to his home country. The Government follows a strict policy of returns for those who do not meet the legal conditions for stay, with absolute respect for fundamental rights, in order to ensure the order and credibility of the system. It is noted that, in the last year, the Republic of Cyprus has issued the most return decisions to the EU, in proportion to its GDP and population. With a holistic strategy that combines modern digital services, targeted permits, and robust, legal channels, Cyprus harnesses migration as a force for growth and resilience, while effectively curbing irregular migration and trafficking in human beings.
– How many third-country nationals currently have a residence permit in Cyprus?
– According to the data of the Immigration Department until September 30, 2025, the total number of third-country nationals who have a residence permit in the Republic of Cyprus amounts to 175,677 people. The majority of these TCNs reside in the country for work purposes, which demonstrates the increasing dependence of the Cypriot economy on foreign labour. The two largest categories of legal residence for third-country nationals are:
> domestic employment (29,476 people)
> immigrant permits (27,722 people)
>This is followed by employees in companies of foreign interests (21,796) and in general jobs (18,258)
>At the same time, 16,153 people reside under international protection status and 14,985 in the context of family reunification
>Other important categories include residence for education (9,344) and beneficiaries of the United Kingdom Withdrawal Agreement (Brexit) status (14,313), visitors 8,010, family members of a Cypriot citizen 7,897, family members of a European citizen 7,210, other categories 513.
Overall, the evidence confirms that Cyprus is home to a multidimensional migrant population, catering to a wide range of residency purposes, which solidifies its position as a mobility hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.
– How are third-country nationals divided by nationality?
– As I mentioned above, there are 175,677 third-country nationals (TCNs) living in Cyprus with a legal residence permit. In terms of ethnic origin, the largest groups are nationals of Russia (40,735), the United Kingdom (16,279), Nepal (15,607), India (14,237) and Syria (12,868).
Other countries include: Lebanon (4,280), Israel (3,865), Bangladesh (3,175), Vietnam (3,015), Belarus (2,991), Pakistan (2,281), Iran (1,658)
– What trends have been recorded in recent years for applications for legal residence in Cyprus and for what reasons?
– In recent years, specifically in the period from 2022 to September 2025, there has been a steady and significant increase in the applications of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) for legal residence in Cyprus. The main causes of this trend are linked to labour market needs and government attraction strategies.
Firstly, the demand for labour is the key factor. In particular, residence permits for general employment almost tripled, from 5,569 in 2022 to 18,258 in 2025, mainly due to the growing need of the Cypriot market, especially in the hotel and food industry. The broadening of the framework for employing staff from third countries in these sectors has played a crucial role in meeting the needs of tourism, which is a key pillar of the economy. Similarly, domestic employment is also on the rise, with permits increasing from 22,252 to 29,476 in the same period, a trend linked to the aging of the population and the increased demand for care for the elderly and people with disabilities.
In addition, the increase was fuelled by the renewed strategy of attracting foreign companies. The extension of this policy, offering more favourable conditions for the employment of staff from third countries in foreign companies, has led to an increase in relevant applications, including from family members. Political-economic conditions such as the war in Ukraine, which led to the relocation of foreign companies and their employees to Cyprus, contributed to the same upward trend.
Finally, there is a steady upward trend in TCN requests for education, with the number of foreign students having doubled since 2022.
In general employment, 18,258 leaves have been granted, corresponding to 10.3% of the total leaves, of which 9,119 are holders of supplementary protection. 17,520 permits granted for international protection are in force, while 14,985 permits are valid for family reunification, corresponding to 8.5% of the total residence permits, of which 7,803 or 52.1% are minor visitors.
9,344 foreigners or 8.1% of those legally residing from third countries are studying in education. Finally, the permits for visitors amount to 8,000 persons and corresponds to 4.5% of those who are legally in Cyprus.
The 29,476 permits for domestic employment are distributed as follows: The first country of origin is Nepal with 10,034 persons or 34% of all domestic workers, followed by citizens from Sri Lanka who reach 6,908, Filipino nationals who amount to 6,106, Indian nationals with 4,152, Vietnamese citizens with 1,511 and 765 from other countries.
In general employment, most workers come from Nepal with 4,805 permits, followed by Indians with 3,955, Egyptians with 3,551, Bangladesh 1,696, Sri Lankans 1,550 and 2,700 from other countries. With international protection permits, the first place is held by the Syrians since such a status has 11,340 persons. In the same category are Palestinians with 1,015 permits, another 787 Somalis and 477 from Cameroon.
In domestic employment, the vast majority of permits concern women, since they hold 95.4%. In immigration permits the situation is divided, in companies of foreign interests men predominate with a percentage of 69.7% corresponding to 13,645 permits, in general employment 80.7% are men, while permits for international protection concern 61.1% in men. In education, 80% or 7,475 leaves concern men, while in visitors the percentage is 44.5% men and 55.5% women.
