The residency process in Northern Cyprus (TRNC) can seem intimidating to some, but it is typically easy to navigate without assistance. However, Diversity Investments does offer assistance as part of their customer aftercare service. Despite not being subject to the laws and regulations of the European Union, European Union citizens must still follow the same residency procedures as other nationalities in North Cyprus.
When entering the TRNC, visitors are given a tourist stamp on their passports at the port of entry. This allows them to stay in the TRNC for the duration stated on the tourist visa, typically three months, without working. Once the visa expires, the person must leave the TRNC.
Individuals over the age of sixty who wish to retire in North Cyprus do not currently require a residency permit. However, it is always advisable to check with our office to confirm this before travelling.
For those under sixty who wish to stay in the TRNC for longer than the tourist visa allows, a residency permit must be obtained. The first step in obtaining this is to visit the local police station’s immigration department in the area where you will be residing. The following documents are required to be presented to the police:
- Passport – original and photocopy
- If you have the title deeds to the property in your name, the title deeds (original) and photocopy. If you have purchased a property under a Contract of Sale, but have not yet received the title deeds to the property, the Contract of Sale (original) and photocopy. If you are living in rented accommodation the Tenancy Agreement (original) and photocopy.
- A letter from your local village chief (Muhtar as they are known in Turkish) to say that you reside in the village. This letter is called Ikametgah Belgesi in Turkish. You can usually find your Muhtar in the centre of the village where you live near the local municipality (belediye) building or the post office.
- Bank documents showing that you have a TRNC bank account which has sufficient funds or a regular income to enable you to support yourself in the TRNC without working. This level is £5,000. You are only required to show this in an account in North Cyprus then you can use it, but you must show it every year.
- 2 passport photographs
- 12.50 TL stamps (Damga Pulu in Turkish) (the amount required is constantly changing, so you should take a selection of stamps with you in case further stamps are required)
- The police will then refer you to the State Hospital, or now there are certain clinics which are licensed to carry out this work, for a health test. (135 TL) The test will check for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and TB.
- Now that you have completed the process, take you packet down to the police.
- After you have had the health test, you will collect the results and take them unopened to the immigration office in Lefkosa for the residency permit to be stamped in your passport. The immigration office is called the ‘Muhaceret Dairesi’ in Turkish.
While the list of requirements for obtaining a residency permit may seem extensive, our experience has been that the individuals we have encountered throughout the process have been friendly and helpful. For instance, when we helped one of our recent customers apply for their residency permit, we first visited the police station. Far from being intimidating, the officers were kind and spoke excellent English. They even provided us with a handout outlining the necessary documents to bring when we returned with our application packet.
It is important to note that a residency permit only allows you to reside in the TRNC, and does not authorize you to work or establish a business in the TRNC. Additional permits are required for these activities. The residency permit is valid for one year and must be renewed annually through the same procedure. Children under 18 do not require a residency permit. This applies only to adults. Therefore, families moving to the TRNC only need to apply for residency for adult members of the family.
Non-citizens who give birth in the TRNC must notify the embassy or consulate of their country of origin and, after obtaining a letter of acknowledgement, register the birth with the District Office in the area where they live. Obtaining citizenship in the TRNC is more complex, and is granted to individuals whose parent or spouse is a Turkish Cypriot.
Permanent Residence Permit
When you want to apply for a permanent residence permit (White Card) in North Cyprus, you need to prove:
- You own property worth €125,000 in North Cyprus
- Over sixty, three continuous years of temporary residency permits; under sixty, six years.
- You haven’t been out of the country more than 40 days in any year
- You must have health insurance that hasn’t lapsed
Full Citizenship
A foreign individual who wishes to obtain citizenship in the TRNC may be eligible after holding a White Card for a certain period of time, along with meeting other requirements. The White Card, which is issued after demonstrating a clean legal, moral, and financial record, is typically the first step in the process.
Similar to other countries, citizenship may also be granted to individuals with specialized technical skills or those who make significant monetary investments in the TRNC. However, these special citizenship procedures are currently being evaluated and reviewed.
