Cyprus-Forum.com

[Anonymous User]

Dear friends,

I have been living in Cyprus since 1997 (17 years now). Originally, I am Russian. I was brought here as a baby, and I grew up on the island. I have applied for Cyprus citizenship in July 2009. I am facing very difficult circumstances right now. The government wanted to kick me out of the island in 2012. I have nothing in Russia as Cyprus has been my home all my life. I am not allowed to work as I am a third country national. I have diabetes type 1 and my health is deteriorating. I can barely survive, as I don't even have money for medicine (250 euros every month). I have not received new about the citizenship ever since I applied. I am in a moment of true desperation. I am running out of options and lawyers. Nothing seems to be helping. Does anyone know what I can do in this situation? Any suggestions? Something I may be missing out? Please share your knowledge about the topic with me. It's truly as matter of life or death. My life is passing before my eyes.

P.S. Just for the record, I am not one of them "rich" Russians you typically see in Cyprus, otherwise there would be no problem like this I believe.

[Sotos]

With 17 years in Cyprus there shouldn't be a problem to get the citizenship. I know people who got it with much less than that. Have you overstayed your visa at any point?

[Anonymous User]

Thank you for responding Soto. I haven't "illegally" overstayed my visa. In 2012 the government sent me a FINAL - NON RENEWABLE pink slip. It was an outrage for me because it is the same as:

"Thank you for living in Cyprus all your life. Now go away. Wherever it is you can go away, and we don't care if you have anything waiting for you there. You don't have anything? Your problem, not ours. Sincerely yours, Cyprus government."

Before that pink slip reached its expiry date, my lawyer sent a letter to the ministry asking them to overlook my case once more. Then I was merely living on a photocopy of that letter which was stamped "RECEIVED". Due to this, I was not in Cyprus illegally as I was still waiting for their response. They responded after saying that I am not allowed to work in Cyprus because of the crisis and unemployment. So, they simply allowed me to apply for another "visitor" pink slip, which I did 4 months ago. And I still haven't heard of any news...

But even if I did overstay, wouldn't they inform me that they are not going to give me the citizenship? And that I should stop waiting or re-apply?

[Sotos]

What does your lawyer say about this? I know several Russians who got citizenship after living in Cyprus for less years. There must be a reason why they don't give to you while they give to others. You said you came here as a baby... so what about your parents? Maybe somebody at some point... either you or your parents, made some mistake and now they are using your past mistake as an excuse... otherwise it shouldn't be difficult for your lawyer to sort the issue ... unless he is really bad! My suggestion is to contact the newspapers and tell them about your story.

But even if I did overstay, wouldn't they inform me that they are not going to give me the citizenship? And that I should stop waiting or re-apply?

The state examines your application and either approves it or rejects it. They can not tell you if they can or can not give you something before examining your application.

[Anonymous User]

I lost trust in my lawyer. He has been promising me that he will take care of these matters ever since 2009. Every time I come to him with my problem, he says "Don't worry. Next week (or next month) you will have what you need". And it never happens. My mistake was to let it run so long with him. For the last month he doesn't answer my messages or phone calls. I booked two meetings with him through his secretary lately. Both of them, she called me back to cancel because apparently "He will not be in the office that day".

Thing is, I know several Russians who got their citizenship faster than me too. We probably even know some same people as well. But those Russians have either paid a good amount to get their citizenship or have gotten it by having a "meson". I don't have anyone like that. I was brought to Cyprus by my mother. My father is in Russia. We don't communicate with him nowadays. My mother is right now married to a Cypriot. No. Not for papers (as she has a similar situation). They actually stayed together for over 5 years before getting married. So yes, there is love involved. But! When I was 17, her husband kicked me out of the house because of some disagreements we have been having with him (domestic ones obviously). Ever since, I have been struggling to survive as a third country national by myself.

Newspaper seems like a good idea. Would you point me out to a specific one? Say "Politis"?

Btw, I wrote an email to "Exeis Meson" the TV show but never got a response. I'm guessing it is because I am not Cypriot.

One last thing, you say they can use a past mistake as an excuse. But an excuse to do what? To prolong this situation? Because why would they do that? When they DO examine my application, won't it be either "yes, he got everything sorted, so give it to him" or "no, there is a problem, let him know we will not give it to him". In other words, will they let me know if they rejected it too?

Thanks Soto. Sorry for the length. It's a long story.

[Sotos]

An excuse to reject your application for citizenship. The people I know did't pay any money and don't have any big connections. But they do have jobs and they have bought apartments in Cyprus. A while ago I was reading about a case that seems similar to yours http://elita.philenews.com/el-gr/oti-ne ... -ti-fylaki ... so you can start from there (Elita, she has a TV show) and maybe she could guide you how else you could publish your story in the media. And if you don't trust your lawyer then find somebody else asap!

[Anonymous User]

I don't have the financial means to buy property right now. I can barely buy my medicine. I read the story, wow. That's crazy. I will attempt to contact Elita. Btw I went to 3 other lawyers after this one, none of them were of any help. One wanted 3,000 euros just for a pink slip. The other stopped answering calls again. The third didn't even want to touch my case. I might go to a fourth one soon. Fingers crossed.

But still, after reviewing my application, will they let me know of the outcome? whatever it is...rejection or not.

[Sotos]

If you applied for a pink slip then I guess they will let you know at some point. Some options to buy time: Enroll at a college. If you explain your situation maybe they could give you a scholarship or discount or something. If you have a Cypriot girlfriend maybe you could marry her? If you don't have a girlfriend and your mother kicked you out of her house, and you can't legally work here ... then maybe you should consider going to Russia? The economy is better there and there must be more opportunities and no such problems. Don't you have any close relatives there?

[miltiades]

You were brought here as a baby, you have been here for 17 years, in my opinion you have as much right to be in Cyprus as I have. Keep on fighting.

Some years back, before joining the EU, my late English wife overstayed in Cyprus and a couple of immigration officers paid us a visit, this was in 1981-1982.I blew my top on being told that the mother of my two children, both born in the UK, but legally considered as Cypriots, had to go to immigration and apply for a visa. I told them in clear terms that they can go to hell and that the system that considers her offsprings as Cypriots considers her as an alien. To hell with bloody minded stupid anachronistic regulations, my wife will not come to immigration. We heard no more.

Im not suggesting that you should ignore legal requirements but that you should stand up for your self, tell the authorities that you are a Cypriot, that you have the right to be here having been brought here as a baby and that you consider CYPRUS AS YOUR COUNTRY.
Good luck and never give up.

[Anonymous User]

@Sotos. My financial situation is not so good in order to enroll into college again (I used to go to college then quit because the tuition was too much). Even though that is a great idea to buy time. I don't have a Cypriot girlfriend. I actually have a Polish fiance. She is currently not in Cyprus. She is having a very serious operation in another country. And I cannot even go to visit her. Because I don't have the pink slip on my hands to leave and come back with no problems. This is a major issue for us but so far we are trying to hold on through the long distance. Btw, I would've married her long time ago. But all this time I have been having issues with the pink slip and in order to get married I need to have the physical copy on me.

I already considered Russia Soto. But in my opinion, firstly, it would not be fair. I have stayed my part of years here, 17 entire years! Literally most of my life! I am, like it or not, Cypriot. I don't have relatives in Russia except my father, who I don't talk to. He has his own family there too. We are not in good relations. The economic situation there, to be honest, is also not much different from here, if not worse. And it's Russia, I don't even speak Russian as well as I speak English and Greek. I just don't see going to Russia as a resolution. Plus, not to forget, if I give up and go to Russia, I will lose the possible privilege of having an EU passport and travelling through EU with no problems. Yes I do think of this! Why not? It would be great help!

Being Russian this day is not pleasant. Look at the situation with Ukraine right now. It's literally crazy. And just because I am connected to that country, I am seen as also "the evil Russian". Soon, I'm afraid they are going to stop allowing access to Russians across some countries' borders, that's hell!

@miltiades. Thank you for such inspiring words! Truly unbelievable, the various stories I keep hearing.

Thanks for the suggestions and opinions guys.