90 day rule

[MoonageDaydream]

We're planning an extended visit to the TRNC later this year.
We know we can stay for up to 90 days, but how long do you need to be away from the TRNC before you can stay another 90 days? And do you have to leave the island completely or is it suffiient to just cross the Green Line and spend a few days in the south?

[SKYBLUESAM]

To be pedantic you must leave the country and come back in again (Turkey Usually), but most people I know just pop over to the South and get a new 90 day stamp.

[wanderer]

If a pensioner the rule does not apply over 60
If you border hop you can get away with it for years then they decide "out" for no reason you are out

[CatalkoyChris]

So what do most people do when they 'hop' over the border to get their 90 day stamp renewed?

Is it literally just a few minutes in the south, more of a shopping day trip, or do you actually have to stay overnight in a hotel/B&B?

[PoshinDevon]

I would suggest beware....yes there are many that "pop" over the south just for a day, stay overnight or even a few days and get another 90 days stamped....but there is always a chance that you may not get away with it and find that when you try to come back to the TRNC you may only get 30 days or even just 7 days.

We decided that we would not want that risk nor the worry so are going down the extended visa/temporary residency route.

[TRNCVaughan]

So what do most people do when they 'hop' over the border to get their 90 day stamp renewed?

Is it literally just a few minutes in the south, more of a shopping day trip, or do you actually have to stay overnight in a hotel/B&B?

I haven't renewed my visitor visa as I am over 60.
I occasionally go South for an hour or two in Ledra Street then return.
TC immigration stamp my passport and write "90 days" on the stamp.
Wonder why this necessary and what happens if I let it expire.

[jimm127]

I have been told that you do not even have to go back and forwards over the border once you reach 60, but bearing in mind the usual mis-information I still pop across. The last time I was in a hurry and didn't even enter the south side, just walked around the potted plants in the buffer zone and came straight back in. Your visa stamp doesn't show the time, so no problem, still got the 90 days, no questions asked.
I would add that the Greek side are now scanning all passports going in and out and I have heard of a few people getting stuck in long queues, particularly if you get stuck behind a tour group. The customs people were also checking goods being carried in, with particular emphasis on what they call pirate or impersonated goods. This is affecting the Greeks more than anyone else, I have seen a right argument from an older Greek couple when the customs girls took the woman's matching set of Burberry..ish shopping bags, purse and even carrier bag. So careful what you are carrying.

[Kanonier]

Jimm127, they may not stamp the time on your visa but rest assured it will be logged on their computer.

[MoonageDaydream]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Are you saying that you can go over the 90 days once you are over 60? If so then as I'm 60 in early 2016 I may only have to do the 'border hop' once.

[Belfast Belle]

Surely if you have to go South or where ever every 90 days to get your stamp, you may as well for peace of mind get your Residency.
It is so easy & hassle free now if you are over 60, & plus if you have to keep going out of the North it costs euro 25 every time you go South, plus the thought that they might only give you 7 days, & with a new government due soon who knows what will happen, but if you want the worry carry on, to me it is a no brainer.

Just Saying.

[elkiton]

No need to drive over, just done it, park at Metehan, walk down through greek side and back up through the Turkish side. there is no 7 day business for us oldies, they issue a 90 day every time your temp res has expires. Only if you are "under age" do they give 7/10/30 or what-have-you, to give you an incentive to get the new residency stamp in the passport.

[Geoff1131]

Just for information. Last September when my residency ran out i decided not to renew and see how things went. I dont go over the crossings much, but the first time i did i was a little apprehensive as you can imagine.No problems at all, the girls in the office asked why my visa had expired and when i told them my age they checked in my passport and were ok with it. I went over to Larnaca at the end of March to pick my friend up and it had been well over 90 days since my last crossing. Again no problems and next week i am going to renew my driving licence so this will be the final hurdle. If all goes well i can relax with the visa issue. I am not advising others not to renew so please no arguments these are just my observations.

[Keithcaley]

On the odd occasion when I have been across the border after my visitor status has expired, and before getting my new 'stamp' (I still do it, 'cos I'm a coward ), when the immigration official has gone to write '90' or whatever on the Visa slip, I've stopped them and pointed out my age, at which point they have agreed that there is no limitation, and handed my passport and Visa back, unendorsed.

I think that the reason why some 'over 60's ' are getting '90 days' is that the officials don't often check your age unless you point it out to them - well, perhaps only if you're as youthful and handsome as I am

[harita]

Geoff1131 .. No problem to renew your licence at the tax office behind the hospital in Girne ..

Muctars letter .. 2 passport size photos .. Copy of passport photo page .. Filled in form ( available from tax office in English) ..
Last but not least the money .. Do this on the left at the last desk of the road tax kiosk ..
You will be given a pink form & told to collect in one week ..
There is a specific desk for collection on the right hand side opposite to where you get the road tax ..

[Groucho]

On the odd occasion when I have been across the border after my visitor status has expired, and before getting my new 'stamp' (I still do it, 'cos I'm a coward ), when the immigration official has gone to write '90' or whatever on the Visa slip, I've stopped them and pointed out my age, at which point they have agreed that there is no limitation, and handed my passport and Visa back, unendorsed.

I think that the reason why some 'over 60's ' are getting '90 days' is that the officials don't often check your age unless you point it out to them - well, perhaps only if you're as youthful and handsome as I am

Still p*ssing myself.... That's old age for you...

[tonyr]

We decided that we would not want that risk nor the worry so are going down the extended visa/temporary residency route.
We are coming out to stay for a year soon, what is required for this route,will need TRNC driving license too.?

[Keithcaley]

We decided that we would not want that risk nor the worry so are going down the extended visa/temporary residency route.
We are coming out to stay for a year soon, what is required for this route,will need TRNC driving license too.?

If it's not your first application, Muhtar's letter, passport + photocopy, pink or blue residency booklet, 10.5 TL stamp (you can get this & any photocopies required from the cafeteria) , completed residency application form (from the counter in residency office) & cash!

If it is your first application, it's more complicated, but I haven't got the details to hand.

You do not need a residency stamp in your passport to get a driving licence, according to the BRS website.

[PoshinDevon]

A quick search on the forum will bring up infor for both first time residency and second, thirds etc applications.

We are applying for first time and under 60. Brief summary below.

Muhtars letter required. We took our kocan with us but he never looked at it, or if renting some evidence of rental agreement.

Go to immigration at police station Girne for us.....take with you (We took everything below and anything we could think maybe needed like birth certs plus copies of....just in case)

Muhtars letter
Kocan
Passport and copies of each
Bank statements showing enough funds to live out here....to show you dont need or are not looking topossibly work illegally
Marriage certificate for married couples
TL stamps

We also took photocopies of just about everything just in case

If paperwork ok you will get chit from immigration and go to hospital for blood tests and possibly x ray....some say x ray needed others not! Get tests done. Pay for tests.

Wait for results. Police immigration will in meantime send paperwork to immigration in Lefkosia.

Approx 1 week later collect test results in sealed envelope....do not open. Approx 3 weeks later go to Lefkosia immigration with all paperwork and test results. If all ok residency issued...probably need some TL stamps as well. Think you can get 1 year first time applying and then 2 years thereafter. Pay the fees due - done.

Afterwards apply for TRNC driving licence....a slightly easier process.

Thats a brief summary if under 60.....dont think anything vital missed, things do change tho and there are various takes on the process.....

[tonyr]

Thanks for info, will search BRS site. We are both over 60!!!

[harita]

We decided that we would not want that risk nor the worry so are going down the extended visa/temporary residency route.
We are coming out to stay for a year soon, what is required for this route,will need TRNC driving license too.?

You do not need a residency stamp in your passport to get a driving licence, according to the BRS website.

You don't Keithcaley .. Iv'e just done mine, a replacement licence, a bit more to it than a renewal .. The same end result ..

[PoshinDevon]

Thought you did need residency stamp to get TRNC licence....if this is not the case can someone quickly list what is required, where to go to complete paperwork and of course cost.

Cheers

We may be able to start this process as well....with luck....hopefully.......
You can PM if you wish!

[harita]

PoshinDevon .. Not sure about applying for your first licence, we did ours through the driving school near to the Wednesday market ..
Go to the tax office behind the hospital in Girne ask for & fill in a form, it's in English ..
You will need
1 .. A Muctars letter ..
2 .. A copy of your kocan or rental agreement
3 .. 2 passport size photos ..
4 .. Copy of passport photo page ..
5 .. Filled in form ..
6 .. Last but not least the money ..
The above is what you require to renew .. If for any stupid reason you have to go to Lefkosa, they will tell you ..
Provided you are over 60, a residency stamp is not required ..
.

[kaiserphil]

I never had a Kocan, so maybe they accepted our sale contract.

Can't remember, it was back in 2005.

[harita]

Maybe you are right kaiserphil .. It's proof of where you live .. Kocan, rental agreement, contract of sale .. Etc ..

[PoshinDevon]

Thanks for advice re driving licence. This is our first time applying and whilst we have all the paperwork listed, not sure if we do need residency confirmation....this is going thro at the moment. Just wanted to know if we could just apply for first TRNC driving licence without the residency bit ......was just trying to get this job ticked off as well.