Does Cyprus have an appeal process for denied citizenship-by-investment applications?

Answers

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  Nada Starovlah

  Christodoulos G. Vassiliades & Company LLC

  December 13, 2018

  Our firm never had such an experience where someone was denied citizenship-by-investment, the simple reason being that if investors provide all the necessary documentation and have a clean criminal record, there is no reason why such an application is to be rejected. Therefore, one needs to make sure to comply with all of the necessary documentation and criteria. If investors do not fulfill such criteria, they shall be rejected. The Council of Ministers has the discretion to approve or reject the applications.

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  George Kallinicou

  Nobel Trust Limited

  December 03, 2018

  There is no appeal process for denied citizenship-by-investment applications. However, from experience, candidates who get rejected are those who do not have a clean criminal record or his/her due-diligence results are not clean.

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  Eleni Drakou

  Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC

  December 03, 2018

  Firstly, I would like to note that up to now, we as a law firm, have no rejections. The reason for this is that the criteria to obtain citizenship through the Cyprus Investment Program (CIP) are straightforward and well-known in advance. Therefore, we can advise interested clients if they will qualify or not for this program, in advance. Having said that, the discretion to approve or reject any CIP application lies with the Council of Ministers. In case that there will be a rejection, there is an appeal procedure. In addition to this, the Council of Ministers may also require additional information or clarification if needed.

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  Andros Pelecanos

  Pelecanos & Pelecanou LLC

  December 26, 2018

  The decision on whether your application for citizenship will be accepted or rejected is upon the absolute discretion of the authorities. In the unfortunate case of rejection (and taking into account that everything is done legally and as instructed), please note that you may exercise your legal rights and appeal the decision.

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  Savvas Poyiadjis

  Fidescorp Chartered Accountants

  November 30, 2018

  Rejected applications can be reviewed again upon written request to the ministry substantiation their case.

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  Chriso Savva

  CHRISO SAVVA LLC

  December 02, 2018

  If you fulfill the criteria set for the citizenship application, your application will not be rejected. If you do not, the application will be rejected and there is no way in appealing the decision of the council of ministers because citizenship is given on the basis of specific criteria (investment, non-criminal record and being able to provide source of funds) and by exception. Therefore if the criteria are not fulfilled there is no eligibility and no right to appeal.