November 9th, 2018 | Source: Ukrinform

Some common reasons for the detention of foreigners at airports in Cyprus: the absence of documents confirming the purpose of travel, place of residence (. Proplachenny hotel contract apartment rent etc.), the intention to return to Ukraine (proplachenny return air ticket), the lack of sufficient funds for stay ( a minimum of 50 euros per day), providing false or contradictory information, the failure to explain the purpose of the trip.

With a request to clarify the situation Ukrinform asked the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in the Republic of Cyprus Boris Gumenyuk. Here's what he said.

migration processes

Armed conflicts in the world are our reality and are a major cause of the increasing number of refugees and displaced persons around the world to an unprecedented 65.5 million.

Events in Ukraine have also contributed to the revival of migration processes. The annexation of the Crimea and the deployment of military operations in the Donbass have caused a wave of migration both within Ukraine and beyond its borders.

In this context, a certain part of the visa-free regime Ukrainians perceived as an opportunity to travel to EU countries not only for tourism purposes but also for the purpose of illegal employment. Cyprus is no exception.

Cyprus in dealing with illegal migrants

Migration Legislation of the Republic of Cyprus is designed in such a way as to protect the labor market from the influx of foreigners and illegal immigrants. This is due to the migration crisis affecting the whole of Europe.

October 9, 2017 came into force the European directive 458/2017, which requires a more thorough check of documents of travelers who cross internal and external borders of the EU, as well as an increase in a number of criteria on which the personal data of travelers are verified in the European database.

It is expected that these measures will contribute to a more effective fight against terrorism, trafficking and exploitation of human beings and to prevent the use of forged and stolen documents.

Indicators of the European Statistical Service «Eurostat» in 2018 show that in the first eight months of 2018 Cyprus received 4,022 applications for political asylum. For comparison, a year ago the figure was 2,600 requests. The number of recognized refugees and applicants of the status of Cyprus is now about 15 thousand people, that one millionth of Cyprus is a threat.

In September 2018 the Government of Cyprus announced the strengthening of measures to combat the increasing flow of illegal migrants to the island. At the same time, according to the police of the Republic of Cyprus, in the period from 2007 to 2018 in the list of illegal immigrants have been made about 13 thousand foreigners. It is only those who arrived in the country through official airports and ports, and then stayed on after the expiry of the residence permit. According to unofficial data, in the Republic of Cyprus is now about 20 thousand illegal immigrants.

As a result, in recent years we did the cases of foreign nationals detained in the airport of the Republic of Cyprus (mainly in the city of Larnaca), some of whom are citizens of Ukraine.

Detention at the airport: Causes

Some common reasons for the detention of foreigners, including Ukrainians at airports in Cyprus: the absence of documents confirming the purpose of travel, place of residence (. proplachenny hotel, the lease of apartments, etc.), the intention to return to Ukraine (proplachenny return air ticket), the lack of sufficient funds for stay (minimum of 50 euros day), provision of false / inconsistent information, or the failure to explain the purpose of the trip.

It is worth remembering that if you are coming to Cyprus at the invitation of friends, relatives, etc., it is recommended to carry out a form «Assumption of responsibility of hosting», where the inviting party confirms that takes all costs receiving a third country national on (the form can be found on the website of the Migration service of Cyprus). It is also necessary to issue a bank guarantee in the event of a guest from Cyprus deportation (for Asian nationals amount of the bank guarantee of 855 euros for the countries of Eastern Europe - 515 Euro, for the Middle East - 340 Euro).

Refused entry to Cyprus to persons who have been deported from the EU Member States to ban the entry for a specific term, working illegally in Cyprus, remained for a longer period than provided for, or sent to the Republic of Cyprus for the purpose of stay, accommodation, training or participation in official events in the occupied territories (north of the island).

Upon presentation of passport control in hotels reservation, located in the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", or oral declaration of intention to reside there, relax, learn, you will definitely be denied entry into the Republic of Cyprus.

The chance to become "undesirable" tourists are persons who previously worked in entertainment establishments in Turkey, have been seen in acquaintance with unreliable persons who, including are related to the illegal employment of foreigners in Cyprus.

At the same time, if you are willing to justify the purpose and conditions of his stay in Cyprus, during the passport control behave calmly and sincerely, and you will not have problems with crossing the border.

It should also be remembered that even if the foreigner has, at first glance, all the necessary documents, he may be refused entry - it is solely the prerogative of the Migration Service of Cyprus.

The Embassy has always provided prompt assistance to Ukrainian citizens, who were detained at the airport, in particular, is in contact with the Cyprus Migration Service, clarifies the circumstances and the grounds for detention, receives other information. If necessary, we will contact with relatives of the detainees, provide information within their competence. It should be noted that the competent authorities of Cyprus Embassy promptly respond to requests and provide all the necessary information.

At the same time, we have always stressed that the Embassy can not influence the decision of the Migration Service of Cyprus and to help the citizen to enter Cyprus, as well as to prevent his deportation.

In case of disagreement with the actions of the Cypriot authorities, every foreigner has the right to appeal them in court with proper evidence.

Effects

According to the existing local practices, detained during passport control citizens are placed in center of the room for detainees, which is located directly at the airport.

In the case of the adoption of the Migration Service of the relevant decision to ban such citizens to be deported to Ukraine next flight, subject to availability of seats in the aircraft of airlines that foreigner arrived in Cyprus.

The period of stay in the center of detention depends on the load of the aircraft and varies from a few hours to 2-3 days.

Depending on the situation, in particular in the case of the availability of data regarding the previous employment of illegal persons, violation of visa regime, established a ban on entry into Cyprus from 6 months to 5 years.

Biometric passport is not entitled to disregard the established visa and immigration rules in Cyprus.

The most common stereotype of our citizens - it is hoped that the biometric passport guarantees the opportunity to stay in Cyprus 90 days, without the consent of that period with the competent authorities of Cyprus.

Visa-free regime and the biometric passport of the citizen of Ukraine is not a guarantee of a 90-day stay on the island. It is important to understand that the period of stay in Cyprus is determined by the Migration Service of Cyprus on the basis of the submitted documents.

If, during the passport control you have not been informed about the permitted period of stay in Cyprus, do not hesitate to ask, because it affects, will you have problems with the competent authorities in the future and whether it will lead to deportation.

In the event of a change of plans for the period of stay in Cyprus, you must notify the Migration Service and obtain permission from her.

The rule of "90 to 180"

Cyprus is an EU member but not part of the Schengen zone. As well as Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania. Staying in these countries do not include the period of stay in the Schengen area (90 days). But for each of these countries visa-free stay is considered individually.

Therefore, for every 180 calendar days, which follow each other, the Ukrainians have a right to be in Cyprus in total not more than 90 days.

It is enough to exceed the rate for one day - and you become a violator of the visa regime: on the border awaits deportation and prohibition of entry stamp.

It is clear that this regime does not apply to persons who intend to come to Cyprus for the purpose of employment or study.

It is a legal stay on the territory of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"?

The proclamation of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" has been condemned by the international community, and she declared illegal international relations. With the exception of Turkey, no country in the world or international organization does not recognize the territory.

In accordance with the decision of the Republic of Kazakhstan, all the ports and airports located in the occupied territory are closed, and entry into the territory of Cyprus is prohibited and considered a violation of the national legislation of RK.

Cypriot authorities allowed a visit to the occupied northern part of the island only a short-term goal with the intersection controlled by UN forces dividing "green line" through certain internationally accepted and recognized by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus checkpoints. The return of the territory controlled by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, is also carried out through the appropriate checkpoints.

At the entrance to Ukrainian citizens on the territory of Cyprus through located in the north of the illegal entry / exit points is not allowed to cross the demarcation line to the south, in connection with which a person is detained and prosecuted in accordance with applicable legislation of the Republic of Cyprus for illegal entry into its territory .

Also, upon detection of the fact of direct entry to the northern part of the island in the future apply to the entry ban in Cyprus and Greece.

Expectations and Realities

In recent years, social networks are quite common advertising positions on the benefits of life in the occupied part of the island, employment opportunities, or to purchase a property at an attractive price.

Acquisition of real estate in the occupied territory at the present owners is illegal and immediately appealed to national and international courts, the legitimate owners - the refugees from the area. Such lawsuits lead to its loss.

When choosing a holiday in the occupied territory of Cyprus, tourists deprive themselves of consular protection and assistance, as in the case of arrest or injury of the insured event, illness or death - they are left unprotected.

Just stay in the hotels, which are located in the occupied areas and belong to Greek Cypriots and operated illegally, creates a significant risk of possible legal action by the owners.

Added to this is the inability to register a child born in the occupied territory, to issue him a passport document, or, in the case study, to recognize a diploma, travel documents, residence permits and the like. After all, the documents issued in the occupied territories are not recognized by other countries.

If necessary, contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Nicosia to carry passport, notarial acts, etc., These citizens are faced with the problem of passage through the legal checkpoints located on the territory, which is controlled by the Government of Kazakhstan, because they have no legal residence permit in Cyprus.

Unfortunately, from time to time there are annoying situation when Ukrainians, ignoring warnings to visit the occupied part, consciously enter it through located in the north of the illegal entry / exit points and find themselves in a difficult situation - we are talking about sexual exploitation or labor slavery.

In the event of such cases it is very difficult to provide the Embassy consular protection and assistance by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus. After all, the non-recognition of the territory by the international community and condemnation Cypriot side of official contacts with the administration of the occupied territory makes it impossible for the effective protection of citizens.

* * *

In recent years, it is really possible to ascertain the increasing demand on the part of the competent authorities of Cyprus for foreigners, including Ukrainians supporting documents to verify compliance with the conditions of entry into the country.

Embassy of Ukraine in Cyprus permanently monitors the observance of the rights of Ukrainian citizens, taking measures to prevent and eliminate any discriminatory practices against them.

At the Embassy website under "Consular Issues" contains advice and tips Ukrainian citizens who plan to carry out a trip to Cyprus, with the warnings and cautions about possible problems at the entrance to the country. Strongly advise everybody who intends to visit Cyprus, get acquainted with them.