Blood Test Rip Off in North Cyprus

Zoony


Joined: 26/03/2010
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 08:20

Why has blood tests for residency / work permits gone up from 70/80tl to 135tl and you now have to go to Lefkosa ???

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 08:25

I think the answer is - no you don't...

Zoony


Joined: 26/03/2010
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 08:38

Hi Groucho



Check out the front page of the weekend edition of Cyprus today...'The Government has changed the health checks process for foreigners applying for the work and residency permits.........''The old system of turning up at a clinic of their choice has been replaced with applicants being told to go the interior and local administrations mnistry in Lefkosa before being directed to their nearest state hospital'......'It did cost about 80TL for the tests, but now the charge has been set at 135TL'



Zoony

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 08:48

I think it might well be a mistake in reporting as I understand you go to Girne hospital if you live in the Girne district.

Ailletoo


Joined: 24/01/2009
Posts: 1003

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 09:01

Yes, if you live in this area then you go to Girne Hospital. I think they have one person who sits down and thinks...'how can we make this even more inconvenient for the expats?' Ha ha... Oh well, I'm resigned to it by now.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 09:01

You go to your local hospital who then send info to immigration in Lefkosia. A friend recently went to a lad for a blood test not residency and paid 120ytl.

passionflower


Joined: 20/09/2011
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 09:15

Mistakes / errors in Cyprus today tut tut just not good enough, as you can see below.



http://bit.ly/pE5BlO



Just why one needs to go to the ministry to be directed to your local state hospital beggars belief.

Ed1957


Joined: 03/09/2011
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 09:31

Jobs for the boys perhaps?

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 09:38

I like the idea that undercharging is anti-competitive! Outrageous wrong-minded nonsense. Don't you just love it.... Everywhere else in the world, price fixing is regarded as anti-competitive... If it wasn't so daft it would be laughable...

RickF64


Joined: 07/01/2009
Posts: 173

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 10:53

Ah! So the Ministry of Misinformation strikes again.

Obviously the government sanctioned cartel that runs this particular scheme (scam) is looking at ways of extracting yet more cash from the 'yabanci'. But hey, it's only a 41% increase................

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 15:49

Does this only apply to first applications for residency ..



If applying for the 7th time do you now have to take a blood test ..

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 16:20

Forget the whole process, it's a total waste of time, space & money thinking that one may achieve a certain status under the 'law' until all changes at the very moment you think all the 'box's' are ticked! Wrong! Ask for 90 days on entry and escape to Turkey for a day or so just before expiry date and then renew for a further 90 days on passport return.



Richard

Tango1


Joined: 19/02/2011
Posts: 1151

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 17:21

I don't have to go through the nonsense of blood tests ( as I'm too old) and up until now (7.5 years) I have always been of the opinion "go with the rules and regulations of this country... after all it's their country" HOWEVER, I'm fast coming to the conclusion that it's all a complete load of rubbish and the the people who have always gone by the "90 day" scenario are actually the sensible ones. It's pains me to say this though.... having always been a law abiding person in the KKTC.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 17:31

Tangol - Good for you. Stick with the program and the rules of where you live - yes they keep changing but they do everywhere else as well.

Of course if you live in the UK then the rules never change at all and you can be sure that things will always be the same - unless of course your birthday happens to fall between the dates of the new age for old age pensions, which have changed again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Yeah a rip off £46.00 for a years legal standing and no worry about the "border/crossing" points closing either - cheaper than half a months council tax!



Bit disappointing about Cyprus Today - great moaning report (but that's what sells papers I guess) but no information of any value. With all the contacts that they must have you would think they might be able to print information (like where to go and when and how much exactly) instead of RIP OFF. Easy, don't buy the next 22 copies and have saved enough to pay for the blood test increase - bargain!!!

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 18:37

Waddo;



before you slag off Ct get it right.



It's 135tl for the tests plus possible Xrays ?



Then add on 195 ish tl for the stamp.



Where do you get the £46?



Read the article.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 19:04

Read the article? Title of thread is Blood Test Rip Off in North Cyprus - not 195TL residency cost.

Old cost for blood test was 70TL (at clinic behind Police station), new test cost now 135TL - nothing to do with chest X-rays, that is just more hype to sell papers. Cost of new test at today's exchange rate of 2.92TL to the £ is £46.23. Cost of old test at same rate would have been £23.97 so now have to pay an extra 65TL or £22.26. Cost of Cyprus Today is 3TL per copy so 21.66666 copies not bought will cover the rise in blood test - which is all the thread is about.



Read the "report" before I posted anyway - there has always been a need for xray if the blood test required it - old news. Why do new blood test rules "complicate the procedure" anyway? At least now we should know what to do and when and even where to go - instead of the hit and miss system in place already.



If CT is a Cyprus paper, why not support the government and be positive?

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 19:17

waddo;



are you for real?



To get your 'legal standing' you need the tests plus residency costs not forgetting the Mukthar!



I'll have what you're on.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 19:41

Title of thread is Blood Test Rip Off in North Cyprus - not 195TL residency cost. - Again in case you missed it!



Fresh air and its free, help yourself. It may help you see through the murk that seems to surround "Exclusive" reports - just what did the report tell us that is new?



Oh yes, I see it now - CT have now printed in Black and White so that everyone can see "They will opt to benefit from the 90-day (tourist) allowance" now that it is out in the open, how long do you think it will be before the Government is forced to spot that one? Turkey spotted it last year and put the lid on that little prank - watch for another "exclusive" following Nov 27th maybe?



In real terms the only rise in cost is between the 70TL and the 120TL blood test costs that C44 readers have already posted on this forum - so you end up having to pay between 15 and 65TL more next year and that's it.



Am I for real? Yep and over 60 as well - funny old thing that!!!!

flutterby


Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 20:09

Tango1 have to say I totally agree with you. I have always followed every rule to the 'T'. However, it is just becoming more and more difficult and expensive. I do think of course there has to be some control, however, doing a 90 day visit does become more and more attractive, saving not only on the rising residency costs and red tape, but driving licence, etc, and all that is involved with being a temporary resident, with, afterall, absolutely no benefits at all!!!

Biggles


Joined: 14/06/2009
Posts: 165

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 20:23

I renewed my work permit in September. This year, fter several years with no blood test, they decided that they (Government) wanted one !!



Blood test was 80Tl at The Etic hospital in Nicosia. I live in Alsancak. All sorted the same day.

Donaldson


Joined: 13/05/2011
Posts: 86

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 20:35

Everyone seems to be missing the point that without residency, you can't get a driving licence. Without a licence, your insurance is invalid. Oh, and a phone contract? Not without residency to prove your legal status. So go down the 90-day route and you can't drive and pay a lot more for your phone.

The rules have changed, the system is much less workable - any bets on how long before it reverts to the old system?

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 21:10

waddo;



you're the one who mentioned 'legal standing'



Do the blood tests etc not count towards the residency which costs X tl?



Oops sorry; Forgot you're over 60.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 21:35

newscoop, of course it counts towards residency, never said it did not - only thing I am making a point about is that the blood test has only gone up, nothing else has, YET!



If you want to continue with residency then you pay up, if you want to keep your 90 day running in and out of the country then do so, it is up to you. But for me the extra cost is what I pay to live here.



I made the choice to come here and I stick by the rules that govern the country. A lot of people seem to think that this country only picks on ex pats, ask your local friends how much hassle they get and how much they get to pay as well, you will be surprised to find that the same rules apply to everybody.



Yes, I am over 60 and I still get to pay the same residency as everyone else but I escape the blood test fee - for now - but my wife still gets to pay it so it effects us both. Our choice and we still stay without a moan, we live here and that is the point.

Ailletoo


Joined: 24/01/2009
Posts: 1003

Message Posted:
24/10/2011 08:15

I'll just go along with whatever they want me to do. It is their country and their prerogative.



I like to be legal, I like to live here and I will not do anything that would endanger that. I don't work so spending a day at the hospital and running back and forth to the police station is not a big hassle for me. I don't think the 90 day thing will work for very much longer. Wasn't there a family deported for doing just that a few years ago? Anyway, as someone has already said, it will probably revert to the old system before very long.



They could really do with a government who has experience of how to run a country. Hopefully this will come eventually.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
24/10/2011 11:03

OK, so medical tests are mandatory when firstly taking up 'visitor' status in many countries; but, once having undergone preliminary tests, why are resident expats required to do so on a perennial basis?



Obviously, this is merely a money making scam and nothing at all to do with governmental concern for the health protection of their own people, otherwise why aren't ALL visitors and tourists, visiting businessmen, casino and 'nightclub' punters, etc., required to be 'vetted' on arrival?



I've already had my say on a previous thread about who, clearly, are the highest percentage of the 'nightclub brothel creepers'.



Does the government consider the locals to have some sort of magic immunity to all the various 'souvenirs of Cyprus' that can, possibly, be purchased at these places?



It's all, in my opinion, simply another deliberate 'con' and an affront to foreigners' dignity, and I wouldn't be in the least surprised if it should be categorised as a violation of 'Human Rights

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
24/10/2011 12:12

The call has been out in the last week or so for blood doners. Why is that an ex pat can turn up to give blood and then have to pay for a blood test for residency ?

freckle


Joined: 12/03/2007
Posts: 48

Message Posted:
24/10/2011 12:45

Mess 26, this is my particular bugbear - I don't mind doing residency, after all I chose to live here and knew that residency needed to be applied for yearly. What I do object to, however, is that I have given blood at every blood donor day since I moved here, and a couple of other times as well, and if my blood is good enough for the blood bank, why can't that be enough for residency?

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
24/10/2011 17:35

dont give blood make a stand

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
24/10/2011 17:37

North Cyprus logic applies.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
24/10/2011 17:45

If where you donate blood and where you have a blood test for residency are two seperate departments and they don't comunicate then that surely is the reason for blood test for residency, until someone gets the two departments together that's how it will continue.

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
25/10/2011 13:19

Latest on residency - went today about 8.45am, at the police station there were two people in front of me, they had a look at all my paperwork and gave me the hospital slip.

At the hospital, room 307, there were about 100 people waiting to pay. Everyone was given slips once paid and told to go to Ozel hospital for the tests. Apparently there is some sort of rota system for which laboratory you go to. The wait at the hospital was about two hours. There is a list outside the door and you put your name on it when you arrive.

At the Ozel hospital it took about 15 minutes wait before they did the blood test and the TB injection. I have to return on Friday to check the TB result. I returned to the police station with all my paperwork.

At this point there appears to be some confusion, the Ozel hospital told me I would have to pick up my results next week from the state hospital and take them to the police station, the police station said not. At the moment my understanding....cont

passionflower


Joined: 20/09/2011
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
25/10/2011 13:22

room 307 which hospital ?

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
25/10/2011 13:23

...is that you go the state hospital for your results and take them with you when you collect your permit - in two weeks I was told - but I could be mistaken here.



With regards to people giving blood and residency, I have given blood ever since I moved here nine years ago, I also make the phone calls when blood is needed to find donors and while I agree it is frustrating and seems unfair, I would not stop giving or spending my time to find donors, it is not the person requiring the blood's fault that the system here is unfair, I wouldn't like to think that my frustration at the systems could cause someone not to get the blood they need to survive.



I am now off to find a unit of O+ for someone that needs it!

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
25/10/2011 13:24

Sorry Passionflower...room 307 Girne state hospital

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
25/10/2011 16:39

Cazleo .. Profile states your age as 50 ..



Would these blood tests apply to someone who is 70 ..

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
25/10/2011 22:39

As far as I am aware, you don't require blood tests for residency after 60... well that's how it stands at the moment anyway...I have 10 years to go!

katyhomeopath


Joined: 20/03/2009
Posts: 118

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 08:56

@ Cazleo: Many thanks for posting that information. I am trying to sort out residency next week so what paperwork do they require at Girne Police Station? I am guessing Kocan, Passport and Mukhtar's certificate - is there anything else they need?

susiesusie


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 337

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 09:09

we needed copy of the main passport pages includins our last stamp and last ins/outs.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 09:15

Bank statements

katyhomeopath


Joined: 20/03/2009
Posts: 118

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 09:23

last time I got in/out document for residency I had to go to Lefkosia Police Station for it since then I have had a work permit so have just used the visa slip - @susiesusie: which did you use?

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 10:36

We've done our blood tests, just to pick up the results from Room 307.

Do we need to queue for the results, or just walk in?

What are the opening hours for Room 307?

When's the best time to go?

Thanks.

Navek

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 17:03

Went to Room 307 after 3pm today.

SHUT :-(

No notice with opening times, nothing.

It was like the Mary Celeste.

Do they only work half a day, or is it early closing on a Thursday?

Any info would be helpful.

Navek

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 17:30

Katy, if you are going from work permit to residency, I don't know what you need. To renew residency you don't need ins and outs that's just for work permits. You will need proof that you have money to live off, (internet bank statement is fine as long as it has your name on it) but I don't know what the minimum is for this, plus copies of passport as already mentioned, muhtar's letter, kocan or tenancy agreement. If you do require ins and outs you can go to the office next to Immigration at the Girne police station.



Havek - no idea about the hospital, think this is still such a new thing no one is sure yet, but if you do find out please let the rest of us know.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 17:50

I was asked for my white slip last time i went to the police.

Agobard


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 18:07

Message 42: I'd be quite surprised if much was open in any state hospital in the afternoon. Most of the docs. go off to their private practices by lunchtime. I think mornings would be your best bet!

Message 44: do you mean the paper that they stamp at the border? If so, this is a complete joke as, when these slips are full, the border passport control staff usually throw them in the bin!

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 18:28

Hi Agobard,

If the Doctors go to their private practices,

where do the rest of the "workers" go, siesta?

Navek

wino53


Joined: 25/06/2010
Posts: 90

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 11:57

As told by the lab last week...go back to Girne Hospital one week later, went this morning to be told come back 1oclock....they can wait for me now i`ll go on Monday

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 12:48

Hi wino53,

Did they give any reason, to call back at 1pm?

I've still to pick mine up :-(

Been in once already, they were shut.

Anyone know Room 307's hours for collecting results?

Navek

tarry67


Joined: 16/05/2008
Posts: 1053

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 14:33

Reading these postings is like something out of an old spy movie, where you may never be seen again after entering room.......... 307.

I will never do another residency here, as its an absolutely crazy procedure again now, and very stressful for some people I would imagine.

Its not quite so bad if you live in Kyrenia but if you live the other side of Lapta its a pain to travel to the hospital to find its closed.

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
31/10/2011 15:56

Called at the Hospital today to collect my blood results, Room 307, closed.

As I was walking throught the corridors,

a member of staff noticed me with my Test receipts

and directed me to the reception office near the Cafe.

This is where the Tests are held for collection.



Next step is go to Lefkosa for stamp in passport,

app 3 weeks after blood test.

Navek

stockiefan


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 574

Message Posted:
02/11/2011 18:03

Excuse my ignorance, where is the "state hospital" in Girne? Once there, where in the hospital do you go, is it the imfamous room 307? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
02/11/2011 19:22

Waddo--- message 16

''If CT is a Cyprus paper, why not support the government and be positive? ''



Along with the radio and television stations??



Now what are the first things totalitarian regimes force and demand in order to get the people to accept the unacceptable.?



The TRNC has its faults but at least we havent yet gone down that route.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
03/11/2011 08:46

State hospital is just up the road from the post office and law courts on the left. Cant miss the ambulances there.

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
03/11/2011 09:14

Depends from which direction you are come from, if coming from town, follow Deniz1's directions.



I was there yesterday to collect my results, they are being distributed from room 207 downstairs. I got there at 1pm, they opened about 1.15pm, about 10 people there, took them just a couple of minutes to locate my results and put them in the sealed envelope....next.....to Lefkosa to get the stamp in my passport!!!!

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
03/11/2011 13:07

just think you might be giving blood to one of the tossers that makes all this crap happen