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Residency for over 60's
Posted: Tue 27 Oct 2015 8:34 am
by janmag
We have always renewed our residency,but now at the age of 67 are wondering whether to continue to do so.Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated,thankyou .Also if we do not have a residency stamp will it affect us renewing our Turkish Driving Licence ?
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Tue 27 Oct 2015 9:26 am
by Geoff1131
I know that there has been a lot written about this subject in the past. It is all down to personal choice in my opinion. I renewed my residency for 7 years until i was 64 when a Turkish friend told me that i did not need to do it any more. I was a little sceptical and thought i would have problems when i went over to the south, or left and re entered the country. I have never had any problems at the checkpoints, and this year renewed my driving licence with a letter from the local Muktar confirming my details. Absolutely no problems at all. I used to have to renew my residency in the height of the summer so am relieved that i no longer have to go through that. Everyone will have their own view on the residency situation but i feel comfortable with the way things are for me.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Tue 27 Oct 2015 9:28 am
by tomsteel
The subject over applying for annual/biannual 'visitor' passport stamping for expas aged over 60 has been raised and debated numerous times on this forum, and others, in the past. The TRNC Government have agreed to allow expats aged over 60 to have free passage across its borders. However, it is not enshrined in law and could be withdrawn at any time. You must decide based upon your personal circumstances and views. Regarding driving licence renewal, apparently you can provide a muhtar's letter of proof of where you live if you are not using your immigration stamp in your passport.
I hope this has been of use to you. However, you may wish to use the search facility of this forum to glean other's opinions and experiences.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Tue 27 Oct 2015 9:50 am
by muffin1
At the recent roadshow hosted by the British High Commission, this subject was raised and the speaker said, that although it was currently an unwritten agreement that those over 65 did not need to renew temporary residency, they would recommend that people did renew their residency, regardless of age, as governments can change the rules without any warning. The need NOT to renew is not an official written ruling.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Tue 27 Oct 2015 10:32 am
by Laura B
Having just moved here from Turkey we went to the police station in Girne and were told that although we are 66 and 70 years of age, if we wished to drive here it is a legal requirement to have the passport stamp for residency/visitors visa extension or whatever it is currently being called.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Tue 27 Oct 2015 2:18 pm
by waddo
Personal opinion only! The Police do not talk to the Immigration Officials, neither of them talk to the people who make and produce the law's. The law is straight forward in both of these occurrences. If you own and drive a TRNC registered vehicle then after the first 90 days you need a TRNC driving license. If you own property here then you are "expected" to also have visitors (residency) stamps in your passport.
We are both over 60, one of us much more than the other - lol. We both have TRNC Driving Licenses and both do our residency every two years - for the cost of all of it we do not worry - we know we are staying within the law and sleep easy/drive easy.
Up to you.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Tue 27 Oct 2015 2:55 pm
by elizabeth
If someone decides to renew their residency after a couple of years of not renewing ( for a number of reasons) would they be fined for the years without a residency stamp.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Tue 27 Oct 2015 4:57 pm
by tomsteel
Elizabeth, the only definitive answer to you question would come from the Immigration Office in Lefkoşa. All you'll get from expats on this forum is opinion.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Sat 31 Oct 2015 6:56 am
by PapaSquidge
Janman, my wife gave up her residency when she turned 60, no problem whatsoever anywhere, airport, border crossing etc. She was completely fed up with the humiliation of the shambolic process to retain registration. Tomsteels advice re driving licence is correct... As a side, can anyone actually explain what the benefits of residency are to Brits? I can think of none and I have never heard of anyone being deported for not having it.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Sun 01 Nov 2015 10:36 am
by wibow
We will be re-newing our residencies end of November
Wasn't going to BUT i had a problem at Ercan airport in August
I was alright getting out at Ercan BUT getting back in, the official at passport control
made up my mind to re-new
I had my stamp, but it was on a piece of paper, because i didn't have room in my passport
I left Ercan without showing my piece of paper, NO problem.. But coming back i decided not to show my
paper to see how i got on WRONG the policeman said GOVERNMENT stamp
I said but I'm well over 60, didn't matter he once again said GOVERNMENT stamp
So i showed him my piece of paper, then he stamped my passport
Going back to the UK early December, SO I will re-new
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Mon 09 Nov 2015 9:57 am
by wibow
Hi
Our residencies run out 22nd November
I can't remember how much it was for a year ( senior moment )
If anyone out there that has recently re-newed there's would appreciate your help
We don't need to do it, but after having trouble at Ercan on our return
We would sooner re-new, without all the hassle.
Thank you
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Mon 09 Nov 2015 11:05 am
by come_on_aylin
266TL per person, per year. Info here on renewal requirements
http://www.brstrnc.com/index.php/lifestyle/residency
The fee goes up every January, it has never changed mid year, as far as I can recall, in the last 11 years we have been doing it.
Re: Residency for over 60's
Posted: Mon 09 Nov 2015 11:14 am
by PapaBravo
This is from the BRS website.
Residency Renewals for Over 60s’ Only
13. The concession allowing those British residents aged over 60 to come and go without residency requirements has been the subject of much confusion for the ex-pat community for a considerable period of time. Hopefully the following information may prove useful.
This concession for the over 60’s is not legally binding. Therefore the TRNC government can cancel this arrangement at any time.
Anyone that wants permanent residency must, currently, have five consecutive annual residency stamps in their passport. This procedure is currently suspended pending changes to the law. Anyone choosing not to renew will not obtain a residency stamp and this may make them ineligible to obtain permanent residency.
We are not aware of an immigration problem that has arisen for British residents aged over 60 leaving and entering the TRNC without a residency stamp in their passport. If you are concerned about this approach you can download a copy of a fax that was issued to the immigration staff to confirm this arrangement. This document can be obtained from the “Forms” section of the Members Only section of our website.
If you don’t have a residency stamp in your passport when applying for a TRNC driving license you will need a Muhtar’s letter to confirm your place of residence together with the other necessary documents.