More than 900 Syrians have withdrawn their asylum applications over the last month, the government said on Monday.

In a post on X, Deputy Minister of Migration Nicholas Ioannides said that this number includes Syrian nationals who have renounced their international protection status with the intention of returning to their home country.

And already, about 300 Syrians have departed Cyprus.

“Ministry functionaries continue to work intensively to facilitate any Syrians desiring to return home,” the post added.

The trend in Cyprus began immediately after the fall of the Assad government in early December.

For context, in Cyprus there are approximately 14,000 Syrian refugees or with legal subsidiary protection status.

Once an asylum application is withdrawn by the applicant, on the same day documents are sent on to the Civil Registry and Migration Department, and these cases are enrolled in the voluntary returns programme.

Authorities will issue travel documents for those holding none. Next the process begins – making arrangements for these people to return to Syria.

Because no direct flights to Syria are available, people first fly to Jordan and then from there cross overland into Syria.

Those requesting to return voluntarily get a €1,500 allowance as assistance. The government is later reimbursed by the European Union.