Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Went to get our residency stamps at Lefkosa this morning. Usually we go early but decided to take advice of BRS and go a bit later as had other things to do en route. Big mistake, it's amnesty time and hence very busy. Got there about 10.30 and got tickets 130 & 131, they were still processing tickets 70 - 72, after 30 minutes they had reached 75 so we decided to give up and go another day. Don't know how long the amnesty is going on for but probably best to avoid immigration until it's over.

Hi what is the amnesty details ?

It was in Cyprus Today 13th August. Basically, any foreigners living and working illegally have the right under a general amnesty to apply to become lawful residents by paying a single month's minimum wage. They have 90 days from around middle of August, so until middle of November. They believe around 7000 people are likely to qualify. After the amnesty period has ended, a third country national will need to pay a fine amounting to the daily minimum wage multiplied by the number of penalty days racked up or live abroad for a specified period of up to 5 years.

We went yesterday. Got there at 10am and got number 117 and they were serving number 42. We were very lucky to be the last people served at 12.15 but I think most people after number 110 had given up thankfully.

Are they on holiday from friday for 9 days?

Why bother if your both over 60 .. Haven't had ours for 3 years .. No problems anywhere Ercan, Metahan, Larnaca & no questions asked

It is a different game if you are working - the over 60 rule is not a rule after all it is only an agreement - so if you trust an unwritten agreement that has not been passed in law within the TRNC, good for you, I wish you luck and a long life.

I'm under 60 but I would still choose to renew my residency every year or 2, especially as you don't even have to go through the medical test nonsense.

roman13, don't know for definite but won't be surprised if they are closed all week from 12th. I'm planning to go back next week as I do have to get my stamp before Bayram.

Plus if you drive it is a legal requirement to have a residency stamp.

waddo wrote:It is a different game if you are working - the over 60 rule is not a rule after all it is only an agreement - so if you trust an unwritten agreement that has not been passed in law within the TRNC, good for you, I wish you luck and a long life.

I said if YOUR OVER 60 .. Not interested about workers, different ball game ..
Rule or rule havn't done it for 3 years told by immigration there was no need to renew, so we didn't ..
Have lived here 11 years, nothing in England .. What can the authorities do, deport us to an old folks home in England .. Nowhere else to go

Laura B wrote:Plus if you drive it is a legal requirement to have a residency stamp.

Oh no it isn't , but the car must be taxed, insured & MOT'd & the driver must hold a valid licence, UK or TRNC which ever applies ..
I checked all this with my insurance broker ..

This post was just to advise those who wish to get residency that the office may be busier than usual not to resurrect the old argument re to do residency or not. That's personal choice and nobody else's business.

Agreed about the point there is no need for a 'visitor' visa stamp in your passport and obtaining/renewing a TRNC DL. You do NOT need it. Incidentally, there is no 'residency stamp'.

Correct you do not need a 'visitor' visa stamp in your passport to get a driving licence BUT if you drive here you do need the stamp. I don't care whether people do or not but you have only to ask at the immigration department and that is what you will be told.

My son is here at the moment & is driving my car on his UK licence .. He is only here for a week & doesn't live here ..
Driving of cars , licences etc come under the police dept .. Nothing to do with immigration ...

There is only one way to do anything, you need to find somedoby who knows somebody in the office. Few years back I applied for a TRNC passport in the morning and it got delivered to my house in Luricina that evening. Now that's what you call service.

Went back this morning, got there at 08.20 numbers 62 & 63 and we were seen at 12.15. So worse today than last Friday. The ticket machine is available from 07.30, staff start dealing with the public at 08.15 and finish at 14.30, except on Thursdays where they close for lunch and reopen in the afternoon, sorry didn't take note of the times. Good news for me is that I got 2 years.

Please stay on topic. This topic is about the immigration office.

If you do a search on the forum it will bring up a number of topics concerning the extended visa process or as some like to call it temporary residency. Plus also information about the gentlemans agreement in place for the over 60s and whether its still worth applying for an extended visa. Also it will also bring up information about whether or not you need a TRNC driving licence should you be staying over 90 days and how not having an extended visa may affect driving and your car insurance or any claims made in the event of an accident. From this information you can then make your decision as to whether you apply for your extended visa, TRNC driving licence etc.

Arrived at immigration office at 6.45am doors opened at 7.10 am (5 mins early!)...got ticket number 4,....by 7.55am ticket number 56 was being issued.by 8.26am ticket number 102 was being issued !!!!! (ticket machine very busy!!).Got residency and on way home by 9.am !!!! Still people arriving ,taking tickets ,the waiting room and corridor were very crowded by now and people were getting pretty fed up. Soooooo....go early folks and then no problem !!

come_on_aylin wrote:except on Thursdays where they close for lunch and reopen in the afternoon, sorry didn't take note of the times.

On Thursdays lunch is 12.30 until 2.15 however they finishing serving at around 12.15.

Does anyone know if they are open Monday 19th???

Anyone out there who can answer my question???

I would say yes as the 9 day Bayram holiday ends on Sunday and originally the holiday was meant to be over by tomorrow.

However as they have been closed for days it's likely to be busy.... so adjust your expectations accordingly I would say.

Thank you and yes I have, my expectations are always adjusted!!!

Come-on-any lin - sent you a PM

The amnesty is still in operation so it will be wall to wall with no increase in staff.

Acacia, I've replied.

The amnesty will be on until mid November so it'll be chaos until after then.

I went to immigration today at 11.15, it was very busy, all the tickets had gone and I was told to come back tomorrow. Will be arriving at 0715 to get a ticket.

Carole

Still very busy today, I got there at 7.30 am and was 60 in the ticket queue. Eventually left with 2 years at noon. Suggest getting there 7.00 am at the latest if you want to be sure of getting taken.

Would it be stupid to suggest that there should have been two numbering systems.... One for the 'regulars' and one for the 'amnesty-ites'......why should the regular law abiding foreigners be inconvenienced by those who cannot be bothered? A friend, who is a regular, visited four times before getting her renewal stamp.

Taximax wrote:Would it be stupid to suggest that there should have been two numbering systems.... One for the 'regulars' and one for the 'amnesty-ites'......why should the regular law abiding foreigners be inconvenienced by those who cannot be bothered? A friend, who is a regular, visited four times before getting her renewal stamp.

I thought that today when all I wanted to do was ask a question and even on a Thursday afternoon it was still packed. luckily for me I was successful telephoning while stood in the office and then be able to ask my question.

Taximax, I totally agree with you that renewals should have been separated from the first time/amnesty applicants, on Wednesday morning I think I may have been either the only one renewing in my case for the 9th consecutive year.

I went again on Thursday, arrived at 0645, queued outside with some jostling going on. Doors opened at 0730, got ticket no 15 and was out by 0910.

Get there as early as you can!

Carole

The dual number system for those renewing and for those in the amnesty is a good idea.

So the question has to be asked did anyone offer this as a suggestion to the staff in the office whilst they were there?

Posh, guess you have never had cause to see the "Blank Look" yet, normally comes just before the "Cyprus Shrug"! Think now, if you employ a desk for people just for renewals then what will all the amnesty people do when that is finished with - for sure their jobs will be over and they can return to drinking coffee and chatting. Why? Because now somebody has the "Permanent" job of renewals so why should they do it as well? It is simple Cyprus logic. Remember we remain "Guests" here and ideas from guests are no use. Only ideas from "Cypriots" will be looked at.

Can;t remember how long the amnesty was supposed to be for. We are due to go mid November. I;m actually working on the theory the closer it comes to ending, the worse the queue will be. I can go back to the days when it didn't matter how early you went, there were still at least 20 people ahead of you i.e. people used to come off shift work, nip into the Girne police station about 4ish and write their name on the list stuck on the wall. The same system when we first queued for tickets in Girne hospital.

The amnesty finishes on 13th November.

Help please.

1. How long before your expiry date can you apply for Residency renewal?

2. How long after your expiry date can you apply before incurring a fine? Ours expires next Friday, but our Mukhtar is never in the office, so we can't get our letters!!! If we don't get our Mukhtar's letter very soon we may not bother, as we are both over 70. I am aware of the 'Gentlemen's Agreement' about exemption for the over 65s.

3. If you are over 65 and you let your Residency lapse, what is the procedure for starting over again?

4. I have been told that with 5 consecutive Residency stamps in your passport you can apply for Permanent Residency at a cost of 1500TL, and once you have been to the hospital for a blood and stool test. Is there any truth in this?

All I can offer is that we were 4 weeks over our date. The renewal was backdated with no query.

waddo wrote:Posh, guess you have never had cause to see the "Blank Look" yet, normally comes just before the "Cyprus Shrug"! Think now, if you employ a desk for people just for renewals then what will all the amnesty people do when that is finished with - for sure their jobs will be over and they can return to drinking coffee and chatting. Why? Because now somebody has the "Permanent" job of renewals so why should they do it as well? It is simple Cyprus logic. Remember we remain "Guests" here and ideas from guests are no use. Only ideas from "Cypriots" will be looked at.

Well aware of the blank look, shrug and vacant expression.

Also aware that often there are 4 or 5 employees sat behind the counter.....then just as its getting close to your turn...3 of them get up, clasping mobile phones and texting on the move whilst they go and get a coffee....returning some time later.

This is Cyprus after all and having experienced this culture since 1970 its the norm.

However; it does no harm to make a suggestion. No need to employ extra people....just allocate 3 to the amnesty lot and 1 to the normal renewals. But then again when the 1 person allocated for normal renewals clears off for a coffee - could cause angst!

cambridge wrote:All I can offer is that we were 4 weeks over our date. The renewal was backdated with no query.

Pretty sure thats the norm....backdated to your last date of renewal.........happened to us this year.

Thank You Posh and Cambridge.