In a significant administrative shake-up, Cyprus’ Council of Ministers has approved the transfer of all reception facilities for unaccompanied migrant children from the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare to the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, effective 1 January 2026.
Deputy Migration Minister Nikolas Ioannides said the reform will place “every stage of the migration cycle – arrival, reception, processing, integration and return – under a single authority,” streamlining decision-making and budget allocation. Guardianship responsibilities will remain with Social Welfare Services, but staffing, security and daily operations will now be funded through the Migration Ministry’s EU Asylum, Migration & Integration Fund envelope.
![Reception centres for unaccompanied minors move under Cyprus Migration Ministry control]()
Practically, the change means that NGOs and contractors running the Pournara, Kokkinotrimithia and Oroklini shelters will report to new programme officers in the Migration Ministry. The ministry plans to standardise case-management software and introduce biometric ID cards for minors so that schools and hospitals can verify their status quickly.
For those needing to keep pace with these evolving migration procedures—whether families, international assignees or HR departments—VisaHQ offers a convenient gateway to Cyprus’ latest visa and residence requirements. Through its dedicated portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/), applicants can access real-time updates, generate customised document checklists and track submissions online, reducing administrative friction as government responsibilities shift.
For international companies relocating staff to Cyprus, the move is noteworthy because it signals a broader government push to centralise migration governance. Officials hint that work-permit processing and residence renewals could be next in line for consolidation, potentially shortening turnaround times for intracompany transfers. The real test will come during the 2026 summer arrival season, when facilities traditionally operate at, or above, capacity.
Deputy Migration Minister Nikolas Ioannides said the reform will place “every stage of the migration cycle – arrival, reception, processing, integration and return – under a single authority,” streamlining decision-making and budget allocation. Guardianship responsibilities will remain with Social Welfare Services, but staffing, security and daily operations will now be funded through the Migration Ministry’s EU Asylum, Migration & Integration Fund envelope.
Practically, the change means that NGOs and contractors running the Pournara, Kokkinotrimithia and Oroklini shelters will report to new programme officers in the Migration Ministry. The ministry plans to standardise case-management software and introduce biometric ID cards for minors so that schools and hospitals can verify their status quickly.
For those needing to keep pace with these evolving migration procedures—whether families, international assignees or HR departments—VisaHQ offers a convenient gateway to Cyprus’ latest visa and residence requirements. Through its dedicated portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/), applicants can access real-time updates, generate customised document checklists and track submissions online, reducing administrative friction as government responsibilities shift.
For international companies relocating staff to Cyprus, the move is noteworthy because it signals a broader government push to centralise migration governance. Officials hint that work-permit processing and residence renewals could be next in line for consolidation, potentially shortening turnaround times for intracompany transfers. The real test will come during the 2026 summer arrival season, when facilities traditionally operate at, or above, capacity.
