Cyprus Allows Belarusians to Renew Residency with Expired Passports
Cyprus has allowed Belarusian nationals with expired passports to apply for and renew their residence permits, as well as issue permits to children born on Cyprus to two Belarusian parents without requiring a passport, provided other immigration requirements are met.
Consensus
- Cyprus will accept applications for and renewals of residence permits from Belarusian nationals with expired passports.
- The decision applies when all other immigration requirements are met.
- Children born on Cyprus to two Belarusian parents can obtain or renew a residence permit without a passport, using a Cypriot birth certificate.
- If one parent has another nationality, a passport for the child issued by that country is typically required.
- Belarusian citizens can no longer obtain or renew passports through consular offices abroad.
- To obtain or renew a Belarusian passport, citizens must now travel to Belarus in person.
- The change in Belarusian policy took effect in September 2023.
Points of divergence
- The decision came into effect in May 2026. — meduza
- It is unclear whether time spent on Cyprus with a residence permit issued on the basis of an expired passport will count toward citizenship eligibility. — meduza
- The issue of international travel for Belarusians remains unresolved, as the residence permit does not replace a passport or other travel document. — novaya_eu
- The issue of international travel remains unresolved, as the residence permit does not substitute for a passport or other travel document. — meduza
- Experts from the UN warned that the Belarusian policy could affect hundreds of thousands of Belarusians abroad, especially those in exile. — novaya_eu
- The Belarusian policy change was due to an order signed by Alexander Lukashenko in 2023. — tg_echoonline_news
Coverage (6 sources)
- Belarusians will be able to apply for and extend Cypriot residence permits — ASTRA
- Cyprus will issue and extend residence permits to Belarusians on expired passports — Дождь
- Cyprus will issue and extend residence permits to Belarusians on expired passports — Дождь (Telegram)
- Cyprus allowed Belarusians to register and extend residence permits on expired passports — Новая газета Европа
- Cyprus began issuing residence permits to Belarusian citizens with expired passports — Meduza
- Cyprus officially allowed Belarusians to obtain residence permits on expired passports — ЭХО / Новости