A total of 3,500 citizenship applications are currently pending, according to data presented by a representative of the Ministry of Interior before the parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs.
During the discussion of a proposed law submitted by the president of DIKO, Nicolas Papadopoulos, concerning citizenship for primarily specialized foreign nationals (in various professions and sectors), Committee President Aristos Damianou argued that Cyprus grants citizenship to foreigners as Cypriots, whether they are entrepreneurs or have another capacity, knowing that they arrived in Cyprus through the illegal airport in Tympou.
Damianou also noted that it is not fair for an entrepreneur with less time spent in Cyprus to be eligible for citizenship while other foreigners, who have been in Cyprus for a longer period, are not.
Regarding the children of foreigners acquiring the status of “long-term resident”, when they reach adulthood before their application is examined, they will indeed submit a new application.
However, the only criterion considered in their examination will be good character.
