Following the decision taken by the Council of Ministers on the operation of the public sector to prevent the spread of virus amid COVID-19 dated 15 March 2020, the Civil Registrar and Migration Department (CRMD) has made an announcement informing that the department shall be operated with a limited number of security personnel to handle emergency cases only.
Specifically, the CRMD announced the following:
1. CRMD will not take any measures concerning the third-country nationals holding residence permit or tourist visa the validity of which has expired within acceptable timeframe who have no option to renew or extend it as well as third-country nationals who cannot be repatriated.
2. Third-country nationals whose permits expire in connection with a forced stay abroad for more than 90 days will be able to enter Cyprus provided that:
- They are in possession of a visa issued by the Consular authorities of the host country; or
- They possess an entry permit issued by the CRMD (without providing a clean criminal record and given that their stay abroad does not exceed the period of 6 months). Further, a third-country national shall be able to apply for the renewal of a residence permit.
3. CRMD does not issue entry permits for the moment due to the new instructions are expected to be released prior to, as further instructions are expected to be issued prior to the commencement of the process. All procedures related to the consular authorities are currently in force.
It was further noted, that due to cancellation of all appointments for the renewal residence and work permits until further notice by the CRMD, the Health Insurance Organization will suspend the re-evaluation of non-Cypriot legal citizens who are registered GHS beneficiaries in relation to their right of accessing GHS services based on a valid residence/work permit until 30 September 2020.
Therefore, a non-Cypriot GHS beneficiary whose residence or work permit has recently expired or expires before 30 September 2020, will pursue to receive services up to the indicated date. This date may be revised in the event that new developments occur.
Notwithstanding the above, existing GHS beneficiaries will continue to receive re-evaluation notifications via the GHS IT System with a request to submit their renewed residence and work permits so that their right to GHS service is reassessed. Such notifications are for informative purposes and should such GHS beneficiaries be unable to respond; This will not result in the termination of their GHS beneficiary status.
Originally published 27 April, 2020
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