Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Read an article in Kibris Gazetesi, part of which says:-

DECISIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS… RESIDENCE PERMITS AND VISA Spokesperson of the Council of Ministers Özersay, some decisions taken yesterday in the Council of Ministers listed as follows: İk The Residence Permits and Visas Regulation, which regulates the entry, stay and exits of foreigners into our country, was adopted. This Regulation, which will contribute to overcoming the problems we have with regard to informality, regulates visa types, terms, conditions and cancellation conditions on the one hand, and forms, terms, conditions and cancellation conditions for residence permits on the other hand. This regulation, which will come into force after three months, will allow, for example, foreigners over 60 years of age to remain in our country without any permission, and will now issue a permit. They will be provided with a one-year transition period to register.

https://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/kibris/a ... 70879.html

Google translation isn't great, and I can't find any other source for this at the moment, but to me it does sound like the end of the informal agreement to me, for the over 60's. Would be good to get it from an English language source for clarification.

alphamike wrote:To me it does sound like the end of the informal agreement to me, for the over 60's. Would be good to get it from an English language source for clarification.

According to my TC wife, you're right - it means all foreigners residing here (regardless of whether they are over 60 or not) will now have to apply for a residence permit

iancrumpy wrote:According to my TC wife, you're right - it means all foreigners residing here (regardless of whether they are over 60 or not) will now have to apply for a residence permit

Thank you, that's the way I took it.

It will be interesting to know what happens to the two year visitor stamp for over 60. Will it continue or will everyone go to a 1 year Stamp.

Edited to nothing - my post was unnecessary.

Mr Chinnery wrote:It will be interesting to know what happens to the two year visitor stamp for over 60. Will it continue or will everyone go to a 1 year Stamp.

Fingers crossed that it will continue, but who knows. It doesn't come into force for another 3 months, so hopefully things will be clarified by then.

alphamike wrote:Read an article in Kibris Gazetesi, part of which says:-

DECISIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS… RESIDENCE PERMITS AND VISA Spokesperson of the Council of Ministers Özersay, some decisions taken yesterday in the Council of Ministers listed as follows: İk The Residence Permits and Visas Regulation, which regulates the entry, stay and exits of foreigners into our country, was adopted. This Regulation, which will contribute to overcoming the problems we have with regard to informality, regulates visa types, terms, conditions and cancellation conditions on the one hand, and forms, terms, conditions and cancellation conditions for residence permits on the other hand. This regulation, which will come into force after three months, will allow, for example, foreigners over 60 years of age to remain in our country without any permission, and will now issue a permit. They will be provided with a one-year transition period to register.

https://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/kibris/a ... 70879.html

Google translation isn't great, and I can't find any other source for this at the moment, but to me it does sound like the end of the informal agreement to me, for the over 60's. Would be good to get it from an English language source for clarification.

I read this as over 60s will be able to stay\come and go as they please without any red tape apart from an initial registration which must be completed within a year, or am I missing something. Anyway thanks to the BRS for putting their oar in and messing up a perfectly good arrangement, and to all those over sixties who continued to unnecessarily apply for residency. I assume this was done on their behalf.

Thats how I read it as well Mark, lets hope it's just a one time thing.

From North Cyprus Free Press:
If you are over 60 and do not have a North Cyprus Residency Permit then now you will have to buy one in three months time. According to the translation below you will have a year to get one. Many people, now over 60 and in theory free of the need to purchase a Residency Permit will remember the nightmare it used to be to get one. I wonder how much they will cost?
“The Residence Permit and Visa Regulation, which allows foreigners to enter the country, to reside in our country and leave our country, has been accepted. This regulation, which, on one hand, will contribute to us overcoming our problems regarding the subject of non-registration and on the other, will organize the visa types, durations, provisions and cancellation conditions as well as residence permit types, durations, provisions and cancellation conditions. This regulation, which will begin operation in three months, will now hold foreigners over the age of 60 to a residence permit, where as before, foreigners over the age of 60, could reside in our country with not permit requirements. These individuals will be granted a one-year long opportunity to register.”
‘Simplified Renewal Process for Over 60’s Only. The simplified over 60 Residency renewal process allows for a 1 or 2 year renewal . There is no requirement to visit the immigration section at a local police station, nor are there any medical formalities. Instead you should report direct to the residency office at the immigration HQ in Lefkosa on a weekday morning, taking with you the documentation detailed below. The residency office closes at 1.00 pm (Jun 19) and you will need to take a ticket number from a machine by the office door to secure your place in the queue.
· A completed (but unsigned) residency application form (downloadable from members only section of our website).
· Original letter from your local Muhtar confirming your residency address with a TL 4.00 TL (Jun 19) revenue stamp stuck to it.
· Your passport plus a copy of the photo page.
· Copy of passport residency page
· Your blue or pink residency registration card.
· A copy of your bank account statement to confirm your income (Internet print-out is acceptable).
· The appropriate fee:- TL 485 for one year (Jun 19).
· TL 17.50 in revenue stamps (Jun 19). You can buy stamps in any post office or in the cafe on the same floor but the fee could be slightly more
If you have moved house since your last renewal a copy of your new house contract, Kocan or rental agreement, with the new address, if appropriate, is also required.
Having handed in the various forms to the residency office, if all is in order you will be asked to take your passport and an invoice for the appropriate fee to the pay office (Vizne) down the corridor on the left to make the payment. Once there, hand over your passport and the invoice and on payment of the fee your passport will be returned with the residency stamp inserted. Return with your passport and fee receipt to the residency office for final documentation by the immigration officer and that is the end of the process. ‘

Three cheers to the BRS! Good to know they are looking after all our interests. I've never been a member, never will be, and yet we are now to be saddled with this extra cost and aggravation thanks to their intervention. I'm still doubtful if the post above quoting the N C Free Press will end up how things will be, but if it transpires that we all have to go through this expense again I hope those who continued to pay for residency unnecessarily will have a whip round for those of us dragged back into it. I'm sure they can afford it.

frontalman wrote: I read this as over 60s will be able to stay\come and go as they please without any red tape apart from an initial registration which must be completed within a year, or am I missing something. Anyway thanks to the BRS for putting their oar in and messing up a perfectly good arrangement, and to all those over sixties who continued to unnecessarily apply for residency. I assume this was done on their behalf.

How dare you speak so disparagingly about those who chose to legalise their residence in North Cyprus by registering as required by law, regardless of the dispensation granted to over 60s. That some people choose to follow the letter of the law has in no way affected the decision to implement that law fully.

Rather save your ire for those who chose to consider themselves above the law.

The system is not complicated: all it requires is time (which those over 60 probably have plenty compared to those who may work) and a measure of expense, which should be considered as part of the cost of living in your chosen place of abode.

Mowgli 597
My thoughts exactly. The reason I have always renewed my visitor stamp is that a ‘ gentlemen’s agreement ‘ is exactly that, it’s not a change in the law.
I always have and always will be suspicious of such agreements as they can be changed at anytime as now appears to be happening.

Good grief, I knew there would be moans, but to direct wrath at those who continued to follow the law, when over 60, is infantile and rude.

At least those who have not been doing residency, have a year to go and deal with it, picking a cool month, rather than some of us who are stuck with going in the hot summer months.

Mowgli 597 & Mr Chinnery
Couldn't agree more, I am 64 and doing my first residency after retiring here in June, WHY, because I want to be legit and living here properly in accordance with TRNC laws not on a nod and a wink from some official at the border or in a government office somewhere.
As in any country there are lots of people with their own conceptions of what the law of that land is or rather should be but in truth they either haven't got a clue what the laws are or believe for what ever their own reason they are exempt from them.
I honestly can't see what the all fuss is about in doing residency! It doesn't take up too much time to do. It doesn't take much effort to do. It doesn't cost very much to do. It's far easier to do than in other countries (the UK included).

p.s. many thanks to all those that have given me useful and helpful advice on my post about visiting the Immigration HQ in Lefkosa

Anyone with an ounce of common sense would have seen that the so called gentlemen’s agreement would be subject to change at any time and especially during elections. I am one of those who preferred to renew my residency and accepted that others thought differently. Now we have clarification think of all the years you didn’t pay and stop moaning.

Yeah Mark, wind your neck in mate. Those who advocated taking advantage of the easement have been skating on thin ice... until their (TRNC powers that be) promises are made law or the easement is tested in court it was never going to be a goer... A bit cheeky to ask for handouts from those who never trusted the longevity of this so called Gentlemen's Agreement. WE paid up, you didn't it would seem.

Just like pub-talk, "oh you don't need to comply with the law just go south and come back periodically.... " An accident waiting to happen.

Too much trying to avoid a small outlay by attempting to trick the system and not enough thought about the consequences....

frontalman wrote:

alphamike wrote:Read an article in Kibris Gazetesi, part of which says:-

DECISIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS… RESIDENCE PERMITS AND VISA Spokesperson of the Council of Ministers Özersay, some decisions taken yesterday in the Council of Ministers listed as follows: İk The Residence Permits and Visas Regulation, which regulates the entry, stay and exits of foreigners into our country, was adopted. This Regulation, which will contribute to overcoming the problems we have with regard to informality, regulates visa types, terms, conditions and cancellation conditions on the one hand, and forms, terms, conditions and cancellation conditions for residence permits on the other hand. This regulation, which will come into force after three months, will allow, for example, foreigners over 60 years of age to remain in our country without any permission, and will now issue a permit. They will be provided with a one-year transition period to register.

https://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/kibris/a ... 70879.html

Google translation isn't great, and I can't find any other source for this at the moment, but to me it does sound like the end of the informal agreement to me, for the over 60's. Would be good to get it from an English language source for clarification.

I read this as over 60s will be able to stay\come and go as they please without any red tape apart from an initial registration which must be completed within a year, or am I missing something. Anyway thanks to the BRS for putting their oar in and messing up a perfectly good arrangement, and to all those over sixties who continued to unnecessarily apply for residency. I assume this was done on their behalf.

Where is the BRS mentioned in any of this?

For those who say it’s a further expense, yes it is - 485TL per year = 1.33 TL everyday, Hmm.

teatime wrote:From North Cyprus Free Press:
If you are over 60 and do not have a North Cyprus Residency Permit then now you will have to buy one in three months time. According to the translation below you will have a year to get one. Many people, now over 60 and in theory free of the need to purchase a Residency Permit will remember the nightmare it used to be to get one. I wonder how much they will cost?
“The Residence Permit and Visa Regulation, which allows foreigners to enter the country, to reside in our country and leave our country, has been accepted. This regulation, which, on one hand, will contribute to us overcoming our problems regarding the subject of non-registration and on the other, will organize the visa types, durations, provisions and cancellation conditions as well as residence permit types, durations, provisions and cancellation conditions. This regulation, which will begin operation in three months, will now hold foreigners over the age of 60 to a residence permit, where as before, foreigners over the age of 60, could reside in our country with not permit requirements. These individuals will be granted a one-year long opportunity to register.”
‘Simplified Renewal Process for Over 60’s Only. The simplified over 60 Residency renewal process allows for a 1 or 2 year renewal . There is no requirement to visit the immigration section at a local police station, nor are there any medical formalities. Instead you should report direct to the residency office at the immigration HQ in Lefkosa on a weekday morning, taking with you the documentation detailed below. The residency office closes at 1.00 pm (Jun 19) and you will need to take a ticket number from a machine by the office door to secure your place in the queue.
· A completed (but unsigned) residency application form (downloadable from members only section of our website).
· Original letter from your local Muhtar confirming your residency address with a TL 4.00 TL (Jun 19) revenue stamp stuck to it.
· Your passport plus a copy of the photo page.
· Copy of passport residency page
· Your blue or pink residency registration card.
· A copy of your bank account statement to confirm your income (Internet print-out is acceptable).
· The appropriate fee:- TL 485 for one year (Jun 19).
· TL 17.50 in revenue stamps (Jun 19). You can buy stamps in any post office or in the cafe on the same floor but the fee could be slightly more
If you have moved house since your last renewal a copy of your new house contract, Kocan or rental agreement, with the new address, if appropriate, is also required.
Having handed in the various forms to the residency office, if all is in order you will be asked to take your passport and an invoice for the appropriate fee to the pay office (Vizne) down the corridor on the left to make the payment. Once there, hand over your passport and the invoice and on payment of the fee your passport will be returned with the residency stamp inserted. Return with your passport and fee receipt to the residency office for final documentation by the immigration officer and that is the end of the process. ‘

Whose website? Members only. Sounds like the BRS to me.

I’m very relieved the medical part which was nonsense has been scrapped but couldn’t the BRS of argued against having a residency stamp on your passport this I believe could cause hassle for people returning to the UK especially for health reasons

It could get worse. Those who choose not to renew might be required to pay for the years they missed

Loobyloo wrote:I’m very relieved the medical part which was nonsense has been scrapped but couldn’t the BRS of argued against having a residency stamp on your passport this I believe could cause hassle for people returning to the UK especially for health reasons

We have had our passports stamped with the 'visitor's stamp for 11 years and have never experienced any hassle from any immigration authority. What has caused your belief "--- could cause hassle---"? Of course, if you are not a UK resident, as opposed to being a citizen, you are not entitled to free NHS treatment anyway.

Dont worry about returning for medical treatment. The doctors have voted to treat the world for free. (or rather at our expense)

wrogers wrote:It could get worse. Those who choose not to renew might be required to pay for the years they missed

On what basis do you make that assumption?

I really was thinking of people who are returning to the UK permanently because they are aware of deteriorating health related to ageing it’s conceivable they could have several years remaining of the residency stamp in their passports which could perhaps cause issues with NHS treatment and payment.

Loobyloo wrote:I really was thinking of people who are returning to the UK permanently because they are aware of deteriorating health related to ageing it’s conceivable they could have several years remaining of the residency stamp in their passports which could perhaps cause issues with NHS treatment and payment.

If you return to the UK on a permanent basis as a resident, the NHS is available to you. Use your medical number - passport stamps/visas are irrelevant. The maximum length of TRNC visa longevity could only be two years.

Groucho wrote:Yeah Mark, wind your neck in mate. Those who advocated taking advantage of the easement have been skating on thin ice... until their (TRNC powers that be) promises are made law or the easement is tested in court it was never going to be a goer... A bit cheeky to ask for handouts from those who never trusted the longevity of this so called Gentlemen's Agreement. WE paid up, you didn't it would seem.

Just like pub-talk, "oh you don't need to comply with the law just go south and come back periodically.... " An accident waiting to happen.

Too much trying to avoid a small outlay by attempting to trick the system and not enough thought about the consequences....

I know and respect you Gavin, so I will take your comment on the chin, but when staff at the immigration office and police at the checkpoints were all saying that if you are over 60 then you don't need residency, then I don't see that as skating on thin ice. As I have said before if and when the goalposts were changed then residency could be reapplied for so what was the danger? The BRS recently sought 'clarification' on this issue from the authorities here which seems to have sparked this change of policy. That's my point, who were they seeking clarification for? Not for me. We took advantage of the gracious gesture from the authorities because it felt right, we trusted them at their word which means a lot here, and we are not defeatist scaredy-cats.

Constantly asking them to clarify probably made them think we dont trust them and also realisation of the loss of revenue from the over 60 money pot.

It seems to be a widely held opinion that if you are retired and living here you must have unlimited money. I wish!

Will this apply to us 'swallows'? Can we still visit for up to 90 days at a time?

Hector wrote:Will this apply to us 'swallows'? Can we still visit for up to 90 days at a time?

from what I understand if you are more than 90days in a year then you have to get residents.

It looks like it's becoming more in step with Turkey's residency requirements, so don't be surprised if mandatory health insurance also becomes a requirement at some point. It seems quite coincidental that these changes have been announced just after the latest injection of cash from Turkey following 'talks', more likely to be responsible than BRS.
You can visit Turkey for 90 days in a 180 day period without requiring a residency permit but, of course, purchase of a visa is necessary for uk citizens.

come_on_aylin wrote:It looks like it's becoming more in step with Turkey's residency requirements, so don't be surprised if mandatory health insurance also becomes a requirement at some point. It seems quite coincidental that these changes have been announced just after the latest injection of cash from Turkey following 'talks', more likely to be responsible than BRS.
You can visit Turkey for 90 days in a 180 day period without requiring a residency permit but, of course, purchase of a visa is necessary for uk citizens.

I thought exactly the same thing: A lot has happened in the past week, what with accepting of each other's driving licenses, the opening of a new theological high school and coordination in areas of social security. I feel it won't be long before the 90-days-within-a-180-day-period requirement will be brought in here.

come_on_aylin wrote:It looks like it's becoming more in step with Turkey's residency requirements, so don't be surprised if mandatory health insurance also becomes a requirement at some point. It seems quite coincidental that these changes have been announced just after the latest injection of cash from Turkey following 'talks', more likely to be responsible than BRS.
You can visit Turkey for 90 days in a 180 day period without requiring a residency permit but, of course, purchase of a visa is necessary for uk citizens.

If we are harmonizing with Turkey the rules for long term residence visas maybe applied then

https://yellali.com/advice/question/296 ... ent-turkey

I'm sure I read somewhere that if you own a property in Turkey and are over 60 then you have a right to residence.

I have deleted this post as it appears that someone has not realised that it is a send-up. I would not like to give the impression that the BRS's negotiating skills are that poor

Completely wrong on the over 60s right to reside in TR. Either a 90 in 180 day visa or a residence permit is necessary to reside in TR. Much more paperwork and much more expensive than here. As someone above said the only good thing there is that after I think it is eight years of continuous residency one can apply for permanent residency. However that is only residency and does not allow one to work as a kimlik is necessary for that.

Is the residency application form only available from the BRS. or are there other sources available.

B.

frontalman wrote:TRNC Minister: Good Morning Sir, how can I help you?
BRS Rep: Well it's about this residency thingy for over sixties.
TRNC Minister: But we have told you that it is not necessary for over sixties.
BRS Rep: Yes but a lot of our members who over 60 are still renewing their residency.
TRNC Minister: Why?
BRS Rep: Well they are a bit nervous because it's only a gentlemen's agreement and they like to have things in writing.
TRNC Minister: Do they not take us at our word?
BRS Rep: Well it's not so much that it's just that they like to stick to the letter of the law.
TRNC Minister: How many are still renewing residency, even though we have said it's not necessary?
BRS Rep: Well, quite a few really and they think it's unfair that they are still taking out residency while others who are a bit more relaxed about the whole thing are not.
TRNC Minister: Are you still doing it?
BRS Rep: Well yes.
TRNC Minister: Do you not trust us?
BRS Rep: Phwaagh, ahem, errr, well it's not that........
TRNC Minister: Look leave this with me and I'll see what we can do.
BRS Rep: OK, thanks for being so understanding.
(BRS Rep leaves)
TRNC Minister to colleague: What is it with these people? Are they crazy? Get me Ersin bey on the phone, we're missing a trick here.

Fake news...?

faro wrote:Is the residency application form only available from the BRS. or are there other sources available.

B.

PM me with your email address and I'll send you a copy.

Groucho wrote:

frontalman wrote:TRNC Minister: Good Morning Sir, how can I help you?
BRS Rep: Well it's about this residency thingy for over sixties.
TRNC Minister: But we have told you that it is not necessary for over sixties.
BRS Rep: Yes but a lot of our members who over 60 are still renewing their residency.
TRNC Minister: Why?
BRS Rep: Well they are a bit nervous because it's only a gentlemen's agreement and they like to have things in writing.
TRNC Minister: Do they not take us at our word?
BRS Rep: Well it's not so much that it's just that they like to stick to the letter of the law.
TRNC Minister: How many are still renewing residency, even though we have said it's not necessary?
BRS Rep: Well, quite a few really and they think it's unfair that they are still taking out residency while others who are a bit more relaxed about the whole thing are not.
TRNC Minister: Are you still doing it?
BRS Rep: Well yes.
TRNC Minister: Do you not trust us?
BRS Rep: Phwaagh, ahem, errr, well it's not that........
TRNC Minister: Look leave this with me and I'll see what we can do.
BRS Rep: OK, thanks for being so understanding.
(BRS Rep leaves)
TRNC Minister to colleague: What is it with these people? Are they crazy? Get me Ersin bey on the phone, we're missing a trick here.

Fake news...?

Completely

frontalman wrote:TRNC Minister: Good Morning Sir, how can I help you?
BRS Rep: Well it's about this residency thingy for over sixties.
TRNC Minister: But we have told you that it is not necessary for over sixties.
BRS Rep: Yes but a lot of our members who over 60 are still renewing their residency.
TRNC Minister: Why?
BRS Rep: Well they are a bit nervous because it's only a gentlemen's agreement and they like to have things in writing.
TRNC Minister: Do they not take us at our word?
BRS Rep: Well it's not so much that it's just that they like to stick to the letter of the law.
TRNC Minister: How many are still renewing residency, even though we have said it's not necessary?
BRS Rep: Well, quite a few really and they think it's unfair that they are still taking out residency while others who are a bit more relaxed about the whole thing are not.
TRNC Minister: Are you still doing it?
BRS Rep: Well yes.
TRNC Minister: Do you not trust us?
BRS Rep: Phwaagh, ahem, errr, well it's not that........
TRNC Minister: Look leave this with me and I'll see what we can do.
BRS Rep: OK, thanks for being so understanding.
(BRS Rep leaves)
TRNC Minister to colleague: What is it with these people? Are they crazy? Get me Ersin bey on the phone, we're missing a trick here.

Funny!

Hence my earlier comments If it aint broke dont fix it.

Well, maybe the next stage like some other countries you will only be able to have 90 days tourist in anyone year. This will stop people just popping over the border to top up and mean monies for the Government's coffers. Does anyone have the email address for the Minister, before someone else knicks my money making idea

Frontalman you crack me up. A very witty scenario. Loved it but what’s it going to change. The die is cast we are all on the same playing field from now on. You obviously have a beef with the BRS so if you can’t beat them then join them and direct policy. When you have done that give Boris a hand with Brexit and send a missive to the EU.

Storm in a teacup! Filled in my P85 before I left the UK, knew I would have to pay tax not to live there, knew I would have to pay a huge annual fee to live here. Learnt and understood the law on immigration, did everything I was asked to do. Happy here, double the cost of being able to stay if you wish, still wont leave till thrown out. No axe to grind because never tried to take any shortcut or believed anything that did not come direct from the TRNC Govt. Either like it or leave it but stop moaning about it!

So now we have it. If the article in today's Cyprus Today is accurate, it appears that the BRS has been badgering the TRNC government on many occasions to put into law a racist piece of legislation which would treat UK expats as special cases, which it obviously could not do. It seems the TRNC authorities were doing their utmost to look after UK expats by maintaining this informal agreement, but the BRS seems to have taken over the Government's role, and in so doing, to have screwed this up big time. One part of the article says they wanted the handshake agreement to be put into law, then later they contradict themselves by explaining why UK residents could not be treated differently from other nationalities.

The final comment from a BRS former deputy chairman would be funny if it were not so serious, and it were not such a self-fulfilling prophecy. 'We kept on at them and finally they cracked'. (These are my words, not his). And he has the cheek to gloat in arrogant self-satisfaction - I told you so. The only light at the end of this tunnel is that nothing has been set in stone yet and the BRS still has time to redeem themselves.

Frontalman,
Well at least everyone over sixty will understand what their obligations are, there should not be any confusion now as to whether you need a stamp or not.

This paragraph is part of this morning's article in Cyprus Today, "Cyprus Today reported an initiative by Interior Minister Aysegul Baybars in March signalling changes to immigration rules which would include an end to the verbal agreement negotiated by the British Residents Society in 2010".

Can someone please tell me what kind of an organisation agrees a cracking arrangement for their members, then tells them all to ignore it, costing God knows how much over 9 years? I seriously do want an answer to this.

I am beginning to believe that the BRS went to the govt. on bended knees saying please do away with this arrangement, we've told our members it will come to an end someday, and we are beginning to look like complete "ooops".

Mr Chinnery wrote:Frontalman,
Well at least everyone over sixty will understand what their obligations are, there should not be any confusion now as to whether you need a stamp or not.

That's like buying a gun, blowing my brains out and saying, "I knew it would happen one day, but now it's clear."

Thanks for the feedback, anyway.