Cyprus citizenship/ Naturalization

Did you make enquiry to them to find out the latest application status after your interview?

Did you complete all the documentation and do the advertising of your intentions complete with police check etc etc and pay the fees...   I am told it can take over 12 months to get approved  - some applicants of course may not be approved..

Best to check with the competent authority

good luck

Hi Tom, Yes I did.

Yes, I've asked my solicitor to send a letter and they have sent me still they are considering my application. After one year, I have complained to the ombudsman and then within one week they have rejected my application and there was no reason mentioned for the rejection. So again, I have forwarded the letter to the ombudsman and waiting for their reply

it is their right to reject anyone it is not guaranteed that anyone will be accepted for naturalisation/citizenship

I think they need to give a reason, that is a part of the law. Here in England, they always give the reason for the rejection.

am not so sure they do..... its not UK.....

Krishanthi.A wrote:

I think they need to give a reason, that is a part of the law. Here in England, they always give the reason for the rejection.

So you are living in England?

Sorry but you are incorrect the UK doesn't always give a reason.

Yes but EU, It's the same thing.

No, I am studying in the UK. I tried to rent out my house and it didn't work out. So I had to sell it. At the moment, I don't have a house in Cyprus, that could be a reason for the rejection. I don't know the reason really and I need to find out.

I have applied for several times visa in England, every time they have rejected my visa and given me the reason for the rejection. Finally, I had to go to tribunal to get my visa and the court had ordered to pay my visa fee back. At least I am happy for the justice system in the UK,

I have been a residence in Cyprus since 2003 March and still holding my MEU 2. More than 15 years. So, I don't understand what's wrong with Cyprus.

SimCityAT wrote:

Krishanthi.A wrote:

I think they need to give a reason, that is a part of the law. Here in England, they always give the reason for the rejection.

So you are living in England?

Sorry but you are incorrect the UK doesn't always give a reason.

No, I am studying in the UK. I tried to rent out my house and it didn't work out. So I had to sell it. At the moment, I don't have a house in Cyprus, that could be a reason for the rejection. I don't know the reason really and I need to find out.

I have applied for several times visa in England, every time they have rejected my visa and given me the reason for the rejection. Finally, I had to go to tribunal to get my visa and the court had ordered to pay my visa fee back. At least I am happy for the justice system in the UK,

I have been a residence in Cyprus since 2003 March and still holding my MEU 2. More than 15 years. So, I don't understand what's wrong with Cyprus.

Today's nationality laws all stem from The Hague Convention 1930; it tells us that each nation-state shall determine under its own law who are its nationals.  You can find a copy on the Internet using Google.

Article 2 of that Convention states that any question as to whether a person possesses the nationality of a particular State shall be determined in accordance with the law of that State.

Thus, nothing at all to do with the EU, no country would ever cede nationality to a 3rd party.

EU law requires each member state to treat nationals of other members the same as they do their own citizens, so as long as an applicant is not being treated differently, while it's frustrating, it's not a problem for the EU to deal with.

and at the end of the day Krishanthi is Sri Lankan and thus a TCN and as such different rules apply... there is nothing that guarantees acceptance... and that holds true of anyone.. the host country reserves its own rights always

Cynic wrote:

Today's nationality laws all stem from The Hague Convention 1930; it tells us that each nation-state shall determine under its own law who are its nationals.  You can find a copy on the Internet using Google.

Article 2 of that Convention states that any question as to whether a person possesses the nationality of a particular State shall be determined in accordance with the law of that State.

Thus, nothing at all to do with the EU, no country would ever cede nationality to a 3rd party.

EU law requires each member state to treat nationals of other members the same as they do their own citizens, so as long as an applicant is not being treated differently, while it's frustrating, it's not a problem for the EU to deal with.

Each nation-state shall determine under its own law. 100% agreed.

BUT, they don't deal in a decent manner even very sensible matters. Does it really take 7 years to reply to my application? I applied my MEU 2 and had to wait one and a half years to get it. Is that lawful? They never answer the phone. I mean, just, respect human rights. No one likes to be anywhere illegal, but they are pushing people to be illegal and make people helpless.  It's not like other matters when you are stuck on immigration matters, It could be the worse thing that could happen to you

Toon wrote:

and at the end of the day Krishanthi is Sri Lankan and thus a TCN and as such different rules apply... there is nothing that guarantees acceptance... and that holds true of anyone.. the host country reserves its own rights always

True true, but hope one day they will come to standard level as other EU countries, at least answer phones, emails and much quicker service. So not to wait 7 years to have a reply for any application.

Krishanthi.A wrote:

Cynic wrote:

Today's nationality laws all stem from The Hague Convention 1930; it tells us that each nation-state shall determine under its own law who are its nationals.  You can find a copy on the Internet using Google.

Article 2 of that Convention states that any question as to whether a person possesses the nationality of a particular State shall be determined in accordance with the law of that State.

Thus, nothing at all to do with the EU, no country would ever cede nationality to a 3rd party.

EU law requires each member state to treat nationals of other members the same as they do their own citizens, so as long as an applicant is not being treated differently, while it's frustrating, it's not a problem for the EU to deal with.

Each nation-state shall determine under its own law. 100% agreed.

BUT, they don't deal in a decent manner even very sensible matters. Does it really take 7 years to reply to my application? I applied my MEU 2 and had to wait one and a half years to get it. Is that lawful? They never answer the phone. I mean, just, respect human rights. No one likes to be anywhere illegal, but they are pushing people to be illegal and make people helpless.  It's not like other matters when you are stuck on immigration matters, It could be the worse thing that could happen to you

Hi again.

I'm glad we agree on the legal aspect of this.

I have no information about your personal details, or why your specific case was turned down, but speaking as an ex-Regulator and from what you've said, one of the most common reasons for any naturalisation application being rejected is that the applicant has not met the requirements.  All you can do is try and find out why your application was rejected, see if you can do something to fix that; if you can, then fine, if not, then you will not get Cypriot citizenship, but you still have residence so can continue to live there.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

Cynic wrote:

Krishanthi.A wrote:

Cynic wrote:

Today's nationality laws all stem from The Hague Convention 1930; it tells us that each nation-state shall determine under its own law who are its nationals.  You can find a copy on the Internet using Google.

Article 2 of that Convention states that any question as to whether a person possesses the nationality of a particular State shall be determined in accordance with the law of that State.

Thus, nothing at all to do with the EU, no country would ever cede nationality to a 3rd party.

EU law requires each member state to treat nationals of other members the same as they do their own citizens, so as long as an applicant is not being treated differently, while it's frustrating, it's not a problem for the EU to deal with.

Each nation-state shall determine under its own law. 100% agreed.

BUT, they don't deal in a decent manner even very sensible matters. Does it really take 7 years to reply to my application? I applied my MEU 2 and had to wait one and a half years to get it. Is that lawful? They never answer the phone. I mean, just, respect human rights. No one likes to be anywhere illegal, but they are pushing people to be illegal and make people helpless.  It's not like other matters when you are stuck on immigration matters, It could be the worse thing that could happen to you

Hi again.

I'm glad we agree on the legal aspect of this.

I have no information about your personal details, or why your specific case was turned down, but speaking as an ex-Regulator and from what you've said, one of the most common reasons for any naturalisation application being rejected is that the applicant has not met the requirements.  All you can do is try and find out why your application was rejected, see if you can do something to fix that; if you can, then fine, if not, then you will not get Cypriot citizenship, but you still have residence so can continue to live there.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

Just found out the reason and it says,

“I have instructions to refer to your application today. 3/3/2011 for acquiring the Cypriot nationality by naturalization and inform you that your application was filed with the Minister of the Interior and was examined with due care but could not be approved because you do not meet condition 1 (d) of the Third Table of Article 111 of the Civil Registry File Law 2002-2017, that is to say, because your intention of permanent residence in the Republic has not been established beyond any doubt.

2. Finally, I inform you that you have the right to submit an appeal against this Decision to the Administrative Court, pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus within 75 days of the notification of this letter.”

What does this letter mean? At the time of my interview, I have submitted a letter from the university that I am a full-time nursing student (I am an EU student and my student loan was funded by the EU student's finance Service), the reason to sell my house, and I have five donums of land under the umbrella of a Cyprus limited company and my husband is the director and I am the company secretary of the company. Every time, when I have annual leave always I travel to Cyprus and continue to keep my MEU2 valid. As submitted all this evidence, I don't know how they have rejected my application. Do you have any idea?

Maybe its the amount of time you spend outside of The Republic of Cyprus.

You may well be an EU student and have been given EU student loans but you are not an EU national... i am sorry it doesnt sound very nice and actually sounds very discriminatory but it is a fact.

Is your business property and land in the republic (ie not the illegally occupied area of the republic) and is it a fully functional company providing a service or goods to other RoC citizens and companies and not a shell company
#is your formal habitual residence as identified in your MEU2 in the republic too - (ie not the illegally occupied area of the republic) how many days per year do you live in the RoC
can you prove regular bills being paid in the RoC
do you have an RoC bank and can you provide the required period of statements and do thiose statements prove spend in RoC


as has already been said you should continue with an appeal immediately

good luck

Toon wrote:

Maybe its the amount of time you spend outside of The Republic of Cyprus.

You may well be an EU student and have been given EU student loans but you are not an EU national... i am sorry it doesnt sound very nice and actually sounds very discriminatory but it is a fact.

Is your business property and land in the republic (ie not the illegally occupied area of the republic) and is it a fully functional company providing a service or goods to other RoC citizens and companies and not a shell company
#is your formal habitual residence as identified in your MEU2 in the republic too - (ie not the illegally occupied area of the republic) how many days per year do you live in the RoC
can you prove regular bills being paid in the RoC
do you have an RoC bank and can you provide the required period of statements and do thiose statements prove spend in RoC


as has already been said you should continue with an appeal immediately

good luck

yes, Toon. All in place and still paying all the bills, it cost a lot to keep the company. The land at Governers beach in Limassol and it is five-donums. I have bills, that I am paying every year. Before sold the house, I had all the bills and submitted them to migration for my MEU2. 

do you have an RoC bank and can you provide the required period of statements and do thiose statements prove spend in RoC// Yes, all submitted.

Maybe its the amount of time you spend outside of The Republic of Cyprus./// Not at all.


You may well be an EU student and have been given EU student loans but you are not an EU national// Non-EU family members have the same rights as the EU members and that's why EU granted my student finance loan.

as has already been said you should continue with an appeal immediately // I have another 10 days and trying to find a way.

where do you reside habitually now,...

Toon wrote:

where do you reside habitually now,...

In Bournemouth

So where is your home in RoC now...

Toon wrote:

So where is your home in RoC now...

I sold my house in Limassol and at the moment when I go on my holidays, I live with our friends and I have informed the migration. I submitted the house owner's permission letter to the migration

Maybe that's the problem.....

Hi again,

I think that is almost certainly the problem.  Almost all countries in the world have an absolute stipulation when granting nationality that the applicant is resident at the time of application; the Cypriot Government have a further requirement that you "are in permanent residence in the Republic"; it would appear you have not or maybe from what you've said cannot do this.

Ownership of land or business entities in any country does not confer citizenship or even residence; the fact you told them is largely irrelevant as far as they are concerned, they are dealing with the law and that does not permit variations of a theme.

It sucks that it has taken 7 years for you to be told this; my advice is if Cyprus is still your "place to be", then finish whatever you're doing in the UK, then go back and start again.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

I have to agree....

Toon wrote:

where do you reside habitually now,...

The UK, I believe he said?

SimCityAT wrote:

Toon wrote:

where do you reside habitually now,...

I believe he said the UK ?

yeah Bournemouth

well if one cant prove you live here permanently and cannot in anyway prove that on an ongoing basis then its a non starter in my opinion - PLUS selling your one and only home here is not a good start in proving your need to have citizenship and a cyprus EU passport

Greeting Toon

Sorry, the PC froze up and sent the post later.

I have to agree with Cynic. Sorry Krishanthi.A it's not what you want to hear. but that's the way things are.

You can appeal but I don't think your chances are good.

I agree Sim...  its not great but as you say it is what it is and they way it is here ..  essentially it sounds like K was a resident and may still have a valid MEU2 but in not having maintained a permanent resident presence here and only holidaying would suggest there is insufficient firm commitment to agree to accepting a citizenship application

Toon wrote:

I agree Sim...  its not great but as you say it is what it is and they way it is here ..  essentially it sounds like K was a resident and may still have a valid MEU2 but in not having maintained a permanent resident presence here and only holidaying would suggest there is insufficient firm commitment to agree to accepting a citizenship application

Toon, legally, I am a student here, it doesn't mean I am not residing in Cyprus. I am still a legal resident in Cyprus

Toon wrote:

SimCityAT wrote:

Toon wrote:

where do you reside habitually now,...

I believe he said the UK ?

yeah Bournemouth

well if one cant prove you live here permanently and cannot in anyway prove that on an ongoing basis then its a non starter in my opinion - PLUS selling your one and only home here is not a good start in proving your need to have citizenship and a cyprus EU passport

That's the only thing I am worried, but if anyone logical, they can understand financially how difficult to pay the bills to keep a house in Cyprus. Once I finish my degree, I can buy a house. No point of keeping an empty house and paying  bills

My Land and the company is still in Cyprus and I am paying all the bills.

That won't matter... and you may well think that you have done everything right but clearly and sadly the competent authority doesn't think so.

I dont mean anything bad but if citizenship here is so important then you should've done everything you can to maintain your permanent resident presence here... hard to take but that the truth of it

Cynic wrote:

Hi again,

I think that is almost certainly the problem.  Almost all countries in the world have an absolute stipulation when granting nationality that the applicant is resident at the time of application; the Cypriot Government have a further requirement that you "are in permanent residence in the Republic"; it would appear you have not or maybe from what you've said cannot do this.

Ownership of land or business entities in any country does not confer citizenship or even residence; the fact you told them is largely irrelevant as far as they are concerned, they are dealing with the law and that does not permit variations of a theme.

It sucks that it has taken 7 years for you to be told this; my advice is if Cyprus is still your "place to be", then finish whatever you're doing in the UK, then go back and start again.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

I have wasted 15 years, so you mean I have to stay another 15 years to get a Cyprus passport.  NO WAY.
Nearly time to die, not to get a passport. I love Cyprus, but everything doesn't happen as we like. So, I am going to completely forget Cyprus and I can save more than 2 grand per year.

SimCityAT wrote:

Greeting Toon

Sorry, the PC froze up and sent the post later.

I have to agree with Cynic. Sorry Krishanthi.A it's not what you want to hear. but that's the way things are.

You can appeal but I don't think your chances are good.

Do you have any idea what the Third Table of Article 111 of the Civil Registry File Law 2002-2017 is?

Toon wrote:

That won't matter... and you may well think that you have done everything right but clearly and sadly the competent authority doesn't think so.

I don't mean anything bad but if citizenship here is so important then you should've done everything you can to maintain your permanent resident presence here... hard to take but that the truth of it

I need a good immigration lawyer Toon, that's the way I can sort out this problem. Migration is not always right. I went to the tribunal against the decision of UKBA when they refused my visa and I won the case. but sorry to say, my trust in Cyprus lawyers is 0%. That's why I am afraid to waste my money. As my knowledge, I have a 90% chance to win my case.

Without trying to sound harsh an uncaring I think to pursue this would be foolish. You ae not alone in being refused.. it is not a right you know. Citizenship is at best a concession by the state if you satisfy certain conditions ... it's clear to me the state thinks you do not satisfy them. I would be asking myself why do I  want citizenship here as opposed to anywhere else. ..  what benefit am I after ... an EU passport.... to open doors throughout Europe. Why havent youvapplied forcsay british citizenship in this tine or any other eu country.......Permanent residency would be sufficient if you really want to live here you do not need citizenship.... so why is that citizenship important to you .... bottomline i think is that as a TCN and  without Cypriot bloodline or marriage to a Cyprus citizen  you stand little chance here of getting citizenship.... but good luck to you in any appeal.... I don't believe that all lawyers can be tarred with the same brush....

Toon wrote:

Without trying to sound harsh an uncaring I think to pursue this would be foolish. You ae not alone in being refused.. it is not a right you know. Citizenship is at best a concession by the state if you satisfy certain conditions ... it's clear to me the state thinks you do not satisfy them. I would be asking myself why do I  want citizenship here as opposed to anywhere else. ..  what benefit am I after ... an EU passport.... to open doors throughout Europe. Why havent youvapplied forcsay british citizenship in this tine or any other eu country.......Permanent residency would be sufficient if you really want to live here you do not need citizenship.... so why is that citizenship important to you .... bottomline i think is that as a TCN and  without Cypriot bloodline or marriage to a Cyprus citizen  you stand little chance here of getting citizenship.... but good luck to you in any appeal.... I don't believe that all lawyers can be tarred with the same brush....

Because I still have many things there to sort out I can't completely avoid, I lived for 15 years in Cyprus and It's not easy to just walk away. I am already fed up here with the cold weather.

But permanent residency with property purchase is fine ... you don't need citizenship to do the things you need to do.....  I don't see the obsession with citizenship....