Who can apply for asylum?

If you have left your country of origin or habitual residence (the country where you normally lived) and you cannot safely return because you fear persecution or other serious threats to your life or freedom, you may seek international protection by applying for asylum in Cyprus.

Applying for asylum is a human right. Everyone has the right to apply for asylum and the application is free of charge.

You may apply for asylum in Cyprus if:

  • you are outside your country of origin or habitual residence and
  • you are present in Cyprus, including at a border, and
  • you cannot or do not want to return to your country because you are afraid of being persecuted , for example, you may face harm such as violence, arrest, torture or threats, based on your:
    • race, and / or
    • religion, and / or
    • nationality, and / or
    • membership of a particular social group, and / or
    • political opinion;

OR,

  • you cannot or do not want to return to your country because you are afraid you will suffer serious and unjustified harm, such as:
    • the death penalty or execution;
    • torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
    • a serious and individual threat due to indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict.

You can apply for asylum regardless of:

  • whether you entered Cyprus with or without documents;
  • whether you arrived by boat or irregularly;
  • whether you have a passport or not;
  • your age, including if you are a child.

If your application is accepted, and you are granted international protection, you will receive a recognition letter that either:

  • recognises you as a refugee, or
  • grants you subsidiary protection.

Who is an asylum-seeker?

An asylum-seeker is a person who has applied for asylum and is waiting for a final decision on their application.

Not every asylum-seeker will be recognised as a refugee or granted another form of protection. However, every refugee is first an asylum-seeker.

Who is a refugee?

According to Article 1 A of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is someone who:

“is outside his or her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.”

Refugee status is granted when:

  • the applicant meets all elements of the Refugee Convention definition;
  • there is a well-founded fear of persecution; and
  • the persecution is linked to one or more of the five Convention grounds (race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion).

What is subsidiary protection?

Subsidiary protection is a form of international protection granted to people who do not meet the refugee definition but who would face a real risk of serious harm if returned to their country.

This may include persons affected by armed conflict or widespread violence.

UNHCR supports approaches that ensure beneficiaries of subsidiary protection enjoy strong and effective protection of their basic civil, political, social and economic rights.

Subsidiary protection is granted when the applicant:

  • does not meet all the criteria for refugee status, and
  • faces a real risk of serious harm if returned, such as:
    • death penalty;
    • torture or inhuman or degrading treatment;
    • a serious threat to life or safety due to indiscriminate violence in situations of armed conflict.