When to apply
If you have valid reasons for seeking asylum, you must submit your application together with all your family members as soon as you arrive in Cyprus. If you entered Cyprus without authorisation or documents, you must present yourself to the authorities without undue delay. If you are already in Cyprus and are afraid to return to your country because of events that occurred since your departure, you can also apply for asylum.
Whether you have arrived in Cyprus by choice, or unintentionally, you must apply for asylum in Cyprus once you are here, even if you intend to move on to another country under the Dublin Regulation.
When you submit your application, your fingerprints will be taken, as well as the fingerprints of all your family members included in your application. This is a requirement. Children under the age of 14 do not have to give fingerprints.
Where to apply
If you arrive in Cyprus in a regular manner, or if you were already residing in the country on other status or undocumented, you can make your application for asylum at any legal entry point to Cyprus – namely Larnaca Airport, Pafos Airport, Larnaca Sea Port and Limassol Sea Port – as well as at the Police Immigration Office of your District.
You can apply for asylum at the Immigration Office even if you do not have a passport, identity card or any other travel or identity documents.
Asylum applications are thus submitted to Immigration Police, and the competent authority that receives the applications is the Asylum Service of the Ministry of Interior.
If you arrive in the areas under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus in an irregular manner, you will be referred to the First Reception Centre in Kokkinotrimithia, known as Pournara, for registration. It is possible that persons who are already residing in the country are also referred to Pournara to make and lodge an asylum application, although they will not be obliged to remain there. Once at Pournara, the authorities will help you to make and lodge your asylum application.
For persons held in the Menogia detention centre, asylum applications are received directly within the detention facilities. For persons detained in holding cells in police stations and prison, when they request to lodge an asylum application, the Aliens and Immigration Unit (AIU) is notified and sends a police officer of the AIU to receive the application.
How to apply
The steps to apply for asylum in Cyprus are as follows: