Deputy Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides on Thursday presented the relaunch of the ‘voluntary repatriation plan‘ for Syrians, set to open on June 2, in response to the collapse of the Assad regime.

“The reconstruction of Syria is not limited to the restoration of damaged infrastructure. Of particular importance is the return of millions of displaced Syrians from various countries, who can contribute decisively to restarting the economy and rebuilding the social fabric,” the minister said.

The new scheme is aimed primarily at families. It offers financial incentives to those who agree to leave Cyprus, while allowing one parent to remain on a two-year work visa, which may be extended by an additional year.

Participation requires applicants to first withdraw their asylum claim or renounce their international protection status, effectively ending their legal stay as recognised refugees.

While refugee status provides recognised legal safeguards and long-term stability, a temporary work visa is easier to revoke and offers no clear path to permanent residence, leaving the remaining parent in a far more uncertain position.

The scheme aims to serve both as a means to reduce the number of Syrians residing in Cyprus and is presented as support for rebuilding lives in Syria. It will also be open to couples without children and is financially supported by the EU.

“As part of the plan, the spouse will be granted a special residence and work permit for two years, with the possibility of renewal for another year under certain conditions. The rest of the family that will depart will benefit from increased financial incentives with the support of the European Union, namely €2,000 for the spouse who will return from €1,500 which is currently the case, and €1,000 for each child who returns instead of €750 which is currently given,” he said.

Ioannides explained that the right to submit an application for the special residence and employment permit will be granted only after the rest of the family has left the Republic and after all “required checks and the examination of the request” have been completed.

“This new voluntary return plan is a targeted, humane and realistic policy that enhances the smooth transition to Syria,” he concluded, adding that at the same time it addressed concerns regarding the lack of labour force in the Republic.

The Cyprus Refugee Council (CRC) has raised serious concerns on the newly presented programme.

“Promoting return at this point, specifically targeting women and children, without even carrying-out assessments on the conditions they will be returning to violates the best interest of the children and will place many of them in precarious situations,” the CRC told the Cyprus Mail.

The CRC stressed that situation in Syria remained fluid and the conditions in most areas were still unsafe and substandard

“After 14 years of war a country cannot be functional within a few months,” the CRC said, adding that that the Syrian population was still facing extreme challenges, including a large-scale humanitarian crisis, devasted economy and widespread destruction of homes and critical infrastructure.

“Everyone has the right to return to their country of origin, and the majority of Syrians have a strong desire to return, when the conditions permit safe and sustainable living conditions,” CRC-coordinator Corina Drousiotou emphasised.

Applications can be submitted from June 2 to August 31 2025. The programme targets applicants that have submitted their application for international protection or asylum before December 31 2024. 

As ofMarch 2025, approximately 1,200 Syrians in Cyprus had withdrawn their asylum applications with an additional 500 requesting the revocation of their subsidiary protection status.