The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection released year-end figures showing that 169,844 third-country nationals held valid residence permits on 31 December 2025—roughly 18 % of the island’s population. Russians (40,583) and Britons (15,395) top the expatriate rolls, followed by Ukrainians and Filipinos.
Deputy Minister Nikolas Ioannides attributed the numbers to a three-pronged strategy: accelerated asylum decisions, expanded voluntary-return subsidies and stepped-up patrols along the Green Line. As a result, irregular sea and land arrivals plunged 86 % compared with early-2022 peaks, while the capacity-strained Pournara reception centre now houses just 251 migrants, down from more than 1,800 two years ago.
Companies and individuals trying to keep pace with these shifting rules can turn to VisaHQ’s Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) for real-time visa requirements, document checklists and application support, making it easier to secure entry visas, residence permits or passport services without missing a compliance deadline.
![Cyprus Closes 2025 with 169,844 Foreign Residents as Irregular Arrivals Fall 86 %]()
For employers, the leaner asylum backlog means faster issuance and renewal of work permits, a key advantage for Cyprus’ ICT, finance and hospitality sectors. HR teams are nevertheless advised to double-check that job titles on permits match actual duties; labour inspectors have flagged mis-classification as a priority for 2026 audits.
Ioannides argues that the improved statistics bolster Cyprus’ bid to join the Schengen Area during its current EU Council presidency term, though Brussels will continue to audit asylum backlogs and Green-Line controls. Mobility professionals should prepare for possible language-integration benchmarks and sectoral quota tweaks later this year.
Practical tip: begin permit-renewal processes at least 60 days before expiry and monitor public consultations on a proposed Greek-language requirement for long-term residency.
Deputy Minister Nikolas Ioannides attributed the numbers to a three-pronged strategy: accelerated asylum decisions, expanded voluntary-return subsidies and stepped-up patrols along the Green Line. As a result, irregular sea and land arrivals plunged 86 % compared with early-2022 peaks, while the capacity-strained Pournara reception centre now houses just 251 migrants, down from more than 1,800 two years ago.
Companies and individuals trying to keep pace with these shifting rules can turn to VisaHQ’s Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) for real-time visa requirements, document checklists and application support, making it easier to secure entry visas, residence permits or passport services without missing a compliance deadline.
For employers, the leaner asylum backlog means faster issuance and renewal of work permits, a key advantage for Cyprus’ ICT, finance and hospitality sectors. HR teams are nevertheless advised to double-check that job titles on permits match actual duties; labour inspectors have flagged mis-classification as a priority for 2026 audits.
Ioannides argues that the improved statistics bolster Cyprus’ bid to join the Schengen Area during its current EU Council presidency term, though Brussels will continue to audit asylum backlogs and Green-Line controls. Mobility professionals should prepare for possible language-integration benchmarks and sectoral quota tweaks later this year.
Practical tip: begin permit-renewal processes at least 60 days before expiry and monitor public consultations on a proposed Greek-language requirement for long-term residency.
