A. SERVICES OFFERED

B. GENERAL

C. APPLICABLE LAWS

A. SERVICES OFFERED

• Naturalization and Citizenship Applications
• Advice and Applications on Work and Residence Permits

B. GENERAL

The European Union considers asylum and immigration as issues that have to be regulated at Community level in a legally binding manner. The European Council at Tampere has set out the political agenda for asylum and immigration, and has confirmed the importance of the absolute respect of the right of every person to seek asylum, and has agreed on the creation of a Common European Asylum System based on the total application of the Geneva Convention for Refugees.

As a full member of the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus has enacted new legislation which takes into consideration the rights and obligations of asylum seekers and foreign workers.

C. APPLICABLE LAWS

1. Free Movement and Residence of Citizens of the Member States of the European Union and of the Members of their Families Law of 2003 - 2004 (“the Free Movement Law”)
   The Free Movement Law establishes the right of citizens of the European Union to enter the Republic of Cyprus, to take up employment, and establish permanent residence therein. It also furnishes students with the right of residence when the purpose of entry in the Republic of Cyprus is to pursue academic studies.
   
   
2. Aliens and Immigration Law, Cap 105 (“AI Law”) as amended:
   The AI Law enunciates the criteria as to who shall be ineligible to enter the Republic of Cyprus and provides, inter alia, for the power of the state to prohibit entry into the Republic of Cyprus to aliens who have entered into fictitious marriages or possess forged passports. Additionally the AI Law enunciates the extradition and deportation powers of the state.
   
   Aliens and Immigrations Regulations 1972 as amended (“The Regulations”). The Regulations establish the Committee for the Control of Immigration and contain provisions regulating, inter alia, the qualifications required for applicants to obtain immigration permits, transit permits, employment permits, student permits, visitors’ permits and the rights of dependants to enter the Republic of Cyprus.
   
   
3. Aliens and Immigration (Liability of Carriers) Law of 2000  as amended (“AIC Law”)
   The AIC Law imposes on the carriers of aliens the obligation to ensure that such aliens possess valid passports or travel documents for the purposes of entering the Republic of Cyprus.
   
   
4. Refugee Law of 2000 as amended
   The Refugee Law defines, inter alia, what a refugee is and enunciates the rules on the treatment of refugees. The Refugee Law makes provisions for the entry of persons into the Republic of Cyprus who are seeking to obtain refugee status and a temporary residence permit. It also details the criteria for the identification of a person as refugee and the manner in which such a status is granted. Furthermore, it sets out the powers and competence of the Refugee Authority for the deportation of applicants who do not fulfil the criteria for refugee status.
   
   Refugee Regulations of 2002 as amended
   The Refugee Regulations of 2002 contain guidelines on the application which need to be filed to the relevant authorities in order for a person to be granted the status of a refugee.
   
   
5. Citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus Laws of 1967 to 2002 (“CR Law”) and Citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus Regulations of 1969 as amended
   The CR Law defines, inter alia, the meaning of the Citizen of the Republic which includes persons who qualify as citizens by virtue of birth or naturalisation.
   
   
   The Citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus Regulations set out the guidelines for the applications which must be submitted by any person who wishes to become a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus.
   
   
6. VI. International Conventions which have been ratified by the Republic of Cyprus
• Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951, adopted on 28 July 1951 by the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries, on the Status of Refugees and Stateless Persons convened under General Assembly resolution 429 (V) of 14 December 1950. The Republic of Cyprus has ratified the Protocol concerning the Legal Status of Refugees with Law 73 of 1968
• Law ratifying the Convention against torture and other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Law 235 of 1990
• Law ratifying the Convention 143 of 4 June, 1975 concerning Migrations in abusive Conditions and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity and Treatment of Migrant Workers, Law 36 of 1977
• Law ratifying the Protocol relating to a certain case of statelessness, Law 64 of 1977
• Law ratifying the Convention concerning Discrimination (Employment) of 1958, Law 3 of 1968
• Law ratifying the Revised European Social Charter, Law 27(III) of 2000.