New rules for citizenship based on years of residence were published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus on 19 December 20231 through the amending legislation of the Civil Registry Law, according to a new report (online) from the KPMG International member firm in Cyprus.
The Cyprus Ministry of Interior announced on 22 March 2024, that it is now accepting the submission of applications for obtaining Cyprus citizenship based on the new provisions of the aforementioned amending legislation2. It should be noted that along with the announcement of the Ministry of Interior, the authorities have provided additional clarifications on specific provisions of the amending legislation, as well as the required documents that should be submitted as part of the application process.3
For the full report, see "Revised rules for Cyprus citizenship based on years of residence" in Immigrations Services Alert (3 April 2024).
WHY THIS MATTERS
With the recent amending legislation and announcements, individuals interested in applying for Cyprus citizenship through naturalisation based on years of residence have more clarity on the requirements of the application and examination processes.
It is important to note that there has been a relaxation of the rules in connection with the requirement of continuous residence in Cyprus during the 12 months preceding the submission of the application, without any absences. This is welcoming, considering the practical challenges that applicants had previously faced as a result of this strict condition.
The Report’s Focus
The report focuses on conditions for applying/eligibility for citizenship and steps to be taken under the standard and the fast-track routes.
KPMG INSIGHTS
Individuals that may have questions concerning conditions, eligibility, and the process for applying should consult with their immigration counsel or a member of the KPMG Immigration team (see the Contacts section).
FOOTNOTES
1 Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus dated 19 December 2024 (in Greek), click here.
2 Ministry of Interior “Examination of Applications for Naturalisation” (22/03/2024) (in Greek), click here.
3 Ministry of Interior “Information regarding the submission of an application for the acquisition of Cyprus citizenship by Naturalisation” (in Greek), click here.
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labor law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Cyprus.
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