Cypriot immigration officers carried out a coordinated overnight operation across all districts on 17–18 May, arresting 29 third-country nationals found to be living in the Republic without valid residence status. Police said the sweep is part of an intensified return programme that has already repatriated 3,115 people since January. Authorities note that irregular entries fell to 576 between January and mid-May, down from 730 in the same period last year— a drop officials attribute to tighter Green Line patrols and faster processing of asylum claims. The nationalities of those detained were not disclosed, but most are expected to face accelerated removal procedures under EU rules on voluntary or forced return. For employers, the crackdown underlines the importance of checking that non-EU staff hold the correct Cypriot work or residence permits. Companies found employing migrants without status face fines of up to €20,000 per worker and potential criminal liability for repeat offences. At the same time, the Interior Ministry is seeking to balance enforcement with labour-market needs. A pilot scheme allowing seasonal permits for sectors facing shortages—agriculture, hospitality and elderly care—will be expanded in July, giving compliant employers a legal pathway to recruit third-country nationals. Mobility advisors should watch for further high-profile sweeps over the summer as Cyprus tries to convince EU partners that it can police its borders— a prerequisite for earning final Schengen approval later this year.
Source: Cyprus Mail
