Cyprus lets Belarusians renew residence permits with expired passports

Belarusians with expired passports can obtain and renew residence permits in Cyprus. The relevant administrative decision has been in effect since May 2026. Radio Svaboda learned about this from the Office of the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection of Cyprus.

Additionally, children born in Cyprus to Belarusian families where parents are unable to obtain a Belarusian passport for their child will be able to receive a residence permit on the basis of a birth certificate issued in Cyprus.

"This is confirmed on the condition that both parents are citizens of Belarus", the Office of the Deputy Minister stated in its response to Svaboda.

At the same time, Cypriot officials did not answer whether the period of residence in Cyprus under a permit based on an expired Belarusian passport would count toward the period required to obtain citizenship. According to them, this question should be addressed to the Ministry of Interior of Cyprus.

The issue of international travel also remains unresolved. A residence permit does not replace a passport or other travel document and does not solve the problem of leaving Cyprus for Belarusians without valid passports.

In September 2023, Aliaksandr Lukashenka issued a decree banning the renewal of expired Belarusian passports at consulates. Belarusians are now required to return to their home country and submit documents to the interior ministry. For many, this is dangerous, as they face political persecution at home.