Cyprus began the Christmas week with a sweeping immigration-enforcement operation that saw 31 third-country nationals detained in simultaneous pre-dawn raids on 21 December across Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta. Led by the Aliens & Immigration Service (AIS) with back-up from local police, the coordinated action targeted apartments, construction sites and farms that investigators had flagged over the past month for allegedly harbouring people without valid residence status.
Those arrested were transported to pre-removal centres where biometric checks, medical screening and legal-aid briefings were carried out before fast-track return procedures were opened under the EU Return Directive. An AIS spokesperson said the government’s policy is to “prioritise voluntary departures but proceed swiftly with forced removals when necessary,” adding that more than 11,500 irregular migrants have been returned so far in 2025—already surpassing the 10,092 removals recorded in all of 2024.
![Cyprus police round up 31 undocumented migrants in nationwide dawn raids]()
The crackdown comes after Parliament stiffened penalties for employers earlier this year: companies now face fines of up to €20,000 per undocumented worker, temporary business-closure orders and even criminal prosecution. Mobility managers in construction, hospitality and agriculture—sectors that rely heavily on seasonal labour—have been urged to audit contractor rosters and prepare for unannounced site inspections.
Against this tightening regulatory backdrop, companies and individual travellers are scrambling for reliable guidance on Cypriot immigration paperwork. VisaHQ can help by providing an end-to-end online service that walks applicants through visa requirements, supplies real-time document checklists and submits completed files directly to the authorities. The platform’s Cyprus portal—https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/—also offers status tracking and expert support, reducing the risk of costly mistakes that could trigger fines or detention.
Human-rights NGOs criticised the timing of the raids so close to the holidays and renewed calls for faster asylum processing and stronger integration pathways. The interior ministry counters that accelerated returns free up reception-centre capacity and bolster Cyprus’ bid to join the Schengen Area in 2026. For global mobility professionals, the message is clear: identity checks at worksites and on the street will intensify in the months ahead, and airtight permit compliance is now a board-level issue for companies operating on the island.
Those arrested were transported to pre-removal centres where biometric checks, medical screening and legal-aid briefings were carried out before fast-track return procedures were opened under the EU Return Directive. An AIS spokesperson said the government’s policy is to “prioritise voluntary departures but proceed swiftly with forced removals when necessary,” adding that more than 11,500 irregular migrants have been returned so far in 2025—already surpassing the 10,092 removals recorded in all of 2024.
The crackdown comes after Parliament stiffened penalties for employers earlier this year: companies now face fines of up to €20,000 per undocumented worker, temporary business-closure orders and even criminal prosecution. Mobility managers in construction, hospitality and agriculture—sectors that rely heavily on seasonal labour—have been urged to audit contractor rosters and prepare for unannounced site inspections.
Against this tightening regulatory backdrop, companies and individual travellers are scrambling for reliable guidance on Cypriot immigration paperwork. VisaHQ can help by providing an end-to-end online service that walks applicants through visa requirements, supplies real-time document checklists and submits completed files directly to the authorities. The platform’s Cyprus portal—https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/—also offers status tracking and expert support, reducing the risk of costly mistakes that could trigger fines or detention.
Human-rights NGOs criticised the timing of the raids so close to the holidays and renewed calls for faster asylum processing and stronger integration pathways. The interior ministry counters that accelerated returns free up reception-centre capacity and bolster Cyprus’ bid to join the Schengen Area in 2026. For global mobility professionals, the message is clear: identity checks at worksites and on the street will intensify in the months ahead, and airtight permit compliance is now a board-level issue for companies operating on the island.
