In addition to your rights as an asylum-seeker, you also have various duties that you are required to abide by during your time in Cyprus:
- Cooperate with government authorities during the asylum application process, providing accurate and truthful information regarding your case.
- Actively participate in the asylum application process, attending scheduled interviews, hearings, and any required appointments with immigration officials.
- Inform the relevant authorities promptly about any changes in your personal information, such as address, contact details, or family composition.
- Refrain from engaging in any criminal activities, which could jeopardize your asylum status.
- When granted the right to work, comply with the conditions of your work authorization, and pay taxes as required by law.
- Seek necessary medical care and adhere to health regulations, including vaccinations, for the well-being of yourself and the community.
Respect the laws of the Republic of Cyprus
You must respect and follow the laws and regulations of the Republic of Cyprus. Examples of illegal practices include:
- Unauthorised work
- Child marriage
- Forced marriage
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Domestic violence
- Sexual violence
- Possession of weapons
- Polygamy
- Forgery – Note: Buying and travelling on false or forged documents/passport is a criminal offence for which you may be arrested and sentenced to prison.
Freedom of movement
You must not leave Cyprus without the permission of the Director of the Civil Registry and Migration Department. If you leave Cyprus without permission, you may not be allowed to return and your file will be closed.
Fake documents and issuance of travel documents
If you try to leave Cyprus using fake documents you will be arrested for a criminal offence and convicted to prison. In case you urgently need to travel for humanitarian reasons, you can apply for special permission and you may be issued with a relevant travel document.
Your passport
You must hand in your passport to the Immigration when you apply for asylum or the Asylum Service at your interview, and you will be given a receipt document as well as photocopies of your passport.
Responding on time to official letters
You must respond on time to the letters addressed to you by the Asylum Service. If you do not your file will be closed or your application will be refused.