North Cyprus Residence Permit

Arriving in North Cyprus

When you first arrive in North Cyprus, you are issued with a three-month tourist visa. Should you wish to stay longer, or have bought a North Cyprus property during that time, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit.

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Applying for a North Cyprus Residence Permit

Applications for a Northern Cyprus Residence Permit should be made at your local Immigration Office, which is to be found inside your local Police station. You will need to present your passport at this stage, and you will be given an application form.

Next, you should approach your local councillor or ‘Muhtar’ in he district you live in, to get a Resident’s Certificate. The Muhtar will need to see:

• Documents proving your identity – a photocopy of your passport is fine
• Proof of your address: this should be the deeds of your new property in North Cyprus, OR a copy of your sales contract OR a rental agreement
• Proof of a sustainable income for you and any dependents: this might include bank statements, proof of pension payouts, etc

What happens next with your Northern Cyprus Residence Permit

The Muhtar will issue you with a Resident’s Certificate. Next, you will need to undergo a medical examination at a designated clinic in Nicosia, which includes a blood test for HIV and a chest x-ray. The clinic will give you a receipt for the tests, which can cost up to £150. The results of these tests usually arrive within three weeks – you will need to collect them in person, but do NOT open the envelope they are sealed in.

Once you have the Resident’s Certificate, and are waiting for the medical test results, you can apply for your permit at the Immigration Office:

To make an application, you will need to include:

• A written application form
• Documents proving your identity – a photocopy of your passport is fine
• Proof of your address: this should be the deeds of your new property in North Cyprus, OR a copy of your sales contract OR a rental agreement
• Proof of a sustainable income for you and any dependents: this might include bank statements, proof of pension payouts, etc
• At least four passport sized photographs
• The receipt from the clinic for the medical

When the test results are ready, collect them in person, but remember not to open the envelope! The results should be given to the Immigration Office in Nicosia. The police will then conduct checks and the medical results will be scrutinised.

Issuing of a North Cyprus Residence Permit

Permits are issued by the Department of Immigration in Nicosia. Their offices are near the main bus station in Nicosia. You will be issued with a permit if all checks and tests are satisfactory, and on production of your passport and a fee of up to £150 for your first year’s permit. Thereafter a small fee will be charged for renewal of your permit each year, and you will need to have the medical test again each year.

Too much like hard work?

There are agencies who will help you get residence permits, by guiding you through the application process, and doing some of the tedious legwork for you. These agencies can also help with work permits, driving licences and the issues of importing personal effects into North Cyprus.

North Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit

If you wish to live permanently in North Cyprus, you will need a Permanent Residence Permit. You can only apply for a Permanent Residence Permit once you have had three consecutive temporary permits, (i.e. have stayed for at least three years previously) and you are retired from work. The application for a Permanent Residence Permit might take as long at two years. To apply for a Permanent Residence Permit

You need to prove that:

• You own a property in Northern Cyprus
• You have proof of a regular, sustainable income
• You are retired

A sustainable income is considered to be approximately £6000 per annum.