Under 60's Residency

Asia111 · Post by **Asia111** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 10:57 am

For those of you who are under 60 and going for blood tests you may be interested to know the latest Saga!

Go to Immigration Police Office
Hand over your paperwork and passport
You receive a slip of paper to take to the hospital pay office together with your paperwork and passport
The hospital pay office is now on the top floor
Here is the best bit -
You have to queue in one line to hand over your slip and passport. An administrator keeps both, fills in a form which is attached to your slip and passport and then you are asked to join a 2nd queue. This 2nd queue is right next to the 1st queue!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When it is eventually your turn in the 2nd queue, the administrator dealing with the 1st queue passes your passport etc to another administrator sat next to her dealling with folk in the 2nd queue. This administrator fills in a receipt, takes your money and gives to a directions map to a laboratory.
Everyone you has queued to pay for blood tests is being sent to the same laboratory. It was like a 'cattle market'. The said laboratory was struggling to cope with the nos whilst the other 99% of laboratories must be 'twiddling' their thumbs.
Go back to Laboratory in 2 days to for one result and go back again after Byram for the rest.

Why do the authorities have to make life so difficult when it could be so easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KWAKERT4 · Post by **KWAKERT4** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 11:05 am

You ask why, the one word answer is "Cyprus"

T

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 11:52 am

I think a much better answer would be "Cousins" rather than Cyprus.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 1:53 pm

Acacia.... process you describe is not new. Did our visa extension 2 months ago.....the queue system in the hospital was the same then. We also got sent to private clinic for the blood tests. Hospital queue was short, however clinic queue was pretty long as everyone was being sent there.....but it was pretty efficient.

Munchkin · Post by **Munchkin** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 5:29 pm

Many under 60's ex-pats have spent 100's of thousands of pounds in the TRNC and they are treated like diseased animals where residency is concerned there is NO need for these residency tests they are completely unnecessary it's just a money making con it's no wonder many hundreds have taken there money and moved on, I fear for my health when I enter any of the so called TRNC hospitals or clinics they have no idea of cleanliness it's appalling.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 6:19 pm

Munchkin wrote:Many under 60's ex-pats have spent 100's of thousands of pounds in the TRNC and they are treated like diseased animals where residency is concerned there is NO need for these residency tests they are completely unnecessary

I think that, in the case of most British expats, coming from a country with a good, free, health service, you are right .

I have no doubt that the regulations were drafted with 'settlers' in mind - that is, ex-pats of Turkish origin, mostly from poor, deprived backgrounds, who are presumably considered to be somewhat of a health risk. All ex-pats are treated the same in this respect (about the only thing in TRNC that is remotely 'PC' ) - hence the aforementioned tests'.

it's just a money making con

I don't think so - see previous comment...

it's no wonder many hundreds have taken there money and moved on

I think that it's a leap of the imagination to link the regulations and tests to the 'Many Hundreds' (your estimate) who have 'Moved On'

I fear for my health when I enter any of the so called TRNC hospitals or clinics they have no idea of cleanliness it's appalling.

While a lot of the State Hospital facilities are quite run down, and in need of refurbishment, and the furniture and bedding leaves a lot to be desired, I was impressed by the attention to personal hygiene (hand washing, anti-bacterial gels etc) displayed by the nursing staff. I would be much more concerned at acquiring an infection in a UK hospital - the statistics are appalling! I don't have any idea of the statistics for 'Hospital Acquired Infections' in TRNC, but of all the people that I know, who have been treated in TRNC hospitals, NONE - to my knowledge - have been infected with anything while in hospital.

Do you have any statistics that would make a case to contradict this?

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 6:49 pm

Munchkin wrote:Many under 60's ex-pats have spent 100's of thousands of pounds in the TRNC and they are treated like diseased animals where residency is concerned there is NO need for these residency tests they are completely unnecessary it's just a money making con it's no wonder many hundreds have taken there money and moved on, I fear for my health when I enter any of the so called TRNC hospitals or clinics they have no idea of cleanliness it's appalling.

Sorry but I have to disagree. The TRNC is a place people have chosen to come and live, therefore should they not comply with the laws of that state? In the same way we would expect those coming to the UK to abide by and respect our laws....not saying it always happens tho. The residency tests make sense for a fledgling state that is recognised by no one except Turkey. The bank checks etc are to ensure that you have sufficient funds to support yourself whilst living out here....seems reasonable to me. The health checks are to ensure you are not in some way harbouring a disease or something that could be passed on to others. Both are also checks to ensure that you will not be a burden to this small state, who have enough things to manage. Also the checks are not just aimed at ex pats, they are for everyone who is not a citizen of the TRNC. So there is no discrimination. The price for this......fees for the health checks are very reasonable, for the visa extension itself
again if you work it out at a cost per day it is very very reasonable. The cost in time to wander around and visit everywhere to get things sorted......not much ( We combined our trip to immigration in Lefkosia with a day out.....did the business first thing and then had a lovely day in town).

TRNC HOSPITALS - Apart from visiting Girne hospital to pay and pick up blood test results, we happily have not had to visit or stay. Admittedly when we were there one morning it was packed out and did seem a tad chaotic, but a search on this forum does reveal a good number of people who praise the state hospitals. My last job was with the NHS in the UK and I can confirm the outbreaks of c diff where high, often resulting in ward closures. Again a trawl on this forum will find many praising the health service they have received especially when going private. Costs seem reasonable, you do not wait forever for test results and if treatkent is needed it seems to be available quickly.

There have been lots of discussions about the visa extension and whether under 60s or anyone needs to go down this road, its a personal decision and for us we believe it is the sensible thing to do. At the end of the day if you choose to live here then you should comply with the laws of this small state.

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 6:58 pm

"I have no doubt that the regulations were drafted with 'settlers' in mind - that is, ex-pats of Turkish origin, mostly from poor, deprived backgrounds, who are presumably considered to be somewhat of a health risk"

What's this Keith where did you get this little snippet from? Screen testing for HIV, Typhus etc. is done for all nationalities wanting to reside in NC.

Whatarotty · Post by **Whatarotty** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 7:11 pm

Easy answer to this, be a blood donor! (If you can) It helps you at the renewal stage and certainly helps the blood banks here!!
We have just started the process after a year of donations, this was our experience
1, gave last blood donation 1 week prior to going to Girne immigration
2. Went to Lefkosa hospital to pick up blood result.....5 minute wait
3. Straight to Girne immigration in and out within 15 minutes
4. 2-3 weeks before going to lefkosa immigration for stamp in passport ......

Easy Peasy!!

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 7:38 pm

Whatarotty wrote:Easy answer to this, be a blood donor! (If you can) It helps you at the renewal stage and certainly helps the blood banks here!!
We have just started the process after a year of donations, this was our experience
1, gave last blood donation 1 week prior to going to Girne immigration
2. Went to Lefkosa hospital to pick up blood result.....5 minute wait
3. Straight to Girne immigration in and out within 15 minutes
4. 2-3 weeks before going to lefkosa immigration for stamp in passport ......

Easy Peasy!!

Cheers and great advice....Girne immigration, whatbdo you mean by this? Police/Hospital?

Will consider this when renewing

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 7:43 pm

Ooooh! - Look who's got a posh new avatar then Dalartokat!

Dalartokat wrote:... Screen testing for HIV, Typhus etc. is done for all nationalities wanting to reside in NC.

Yes, my point was that the test is (fairly) applied to all ex-pats, whether from a country with a good health record (apart from 'c diff' etc!) or not. I suspect that the incidence of TB amongst undernourished ex-pats from the hinterlands of Turkey would be considered a potential threat to the health of the general population of TRNC.

This is not derived from any source other than my own reasoning - if I was in charge, then, faced with the prospect of an influx of potentially unhealthy 'peasants', I would be inclined to do the same. Don't forget that the arrival of Turkish 'Settlers' started soon after the Turkish Intervention, - long before the mass influx of Brits, and in typical Cypriot fashion, the regulations were applied to all. It is only thanks to the work of the BRS that the health requirements have recently been simplified somewhat - Cypriots seem loath to relinquish any piece of legislation that provides employment!

Dalartokat · Post by **Dalartokat** » Mon 13 Jul 2015 7:52 pm

Keithcaley wrote:Ooooh! - Look who's got a posh new avatar then Dalartokat!

Dalartokat wrote:... Screen testing for HIV, Typhus etc. is done for all nationalities wanting to reside in NC.
Yes, my point was that the test is (fairly) applied to all ex-pats, whether from a country with a good health record (apart from 'c diff' etc!) or not. I suspect that the incidence of TB amongst undernourished ex-pats from the hinterlands of Turkey would be considered a potential threat to the health of the general population of TRNC.

This is not derived from any source other than my own reasoning - if I was in charge, then, faced with the prospect of an influx of potentially unhealthy 'peasants', I would be inclined to do the same. Don't forget that the arrival of Turkish 'Settlers' started soon after the Turkish Intervention, - long before the mass influx of Brits, and in typical Cypriot fashion, the regulations were applied to all. It is only thanks to the work of the BRS that the health requirements have recently been simplified somewhat - Cypriots seem loath to relinquish any piece of legislation that provides employment!

Ok Keith accept "your" reasoning.

(Glad you like new avatar, it's my dancing dress, struggle with the head wear sometimes)

JoandJelly · Post by **JoandJelly** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 5:33 am

The 2 queues at the hospital has been around for years. It has just moved up a floor!

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 5:45 am

JoandJelly wrote:The 2 queues at the hospital has been around for years. It has just moved up a floor!

So we should all feel elevated by the experience!

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 6:16 am

For my 2 penny worth. The 'residency' (sic) process was the subject of a BRS initiative 2 years ago to improve the efficiency of the system. What ever progress was made then appears to have been lost through passage of time, change of processing staff, unwillingness to change and/or bloody mindedness from the Government down through the relevant Ministry to the staff. My point is that bemoaning it on this forum will not change their system/attitude et al. Like numerous other issues here - property scams, judicial injustice, driving law enforcement etc, expats will have to accept the 'warts 'n all' downside living in the RNC entails.

Lottidotti · Post by **Lottidotti** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 7:53 am

If they want to keep out illness why are they not insisting on everyone having blood test.Why under 60 and not over 60.
Why not test the 90 day stayers who then go over to the south for a few hours and return.
You can live in the TRNC for 365 days a year as a foreigner and not need to be tested.
It seems to me that expats who want to do things by the book are thought of by the government as in the same league as the people who work in the nightclubs.Why are they not testing people who come on holiday and are likely to use the nightclubs.
Do they test London Cyps on returning.
So the excuse of wanting to keep illness out of the TRNC doesn't wash with me.

topten · Post by **topten** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 8:42 am

[ I fear for my health when I enter any of the so called TRNC hospitals or clinics they have no idea of cleanliness it's appalling.[/quote]

I totally agree with your hospital comments I was under a doctor in one hospital that took thousands of pounds off me and still my illness was getting worse, he was like a rabbit in the headlights didn't no what to do next. I eventually saw a Dr Shorebagi at Near East and he got me back to some form of health, so yes choose your Hospital.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 9:27 am

Lottidotti wrote:If they want to keep out illness why are they not insisting on everyone having blood test.Why under 60 and not over 60.
Why not test the 90 day stayers who then go over to the south for a few hours and return.
You can live in the TRNC for 365 days a year as a foreigner and not need to be tested.
It seems to me that expats who want to do things by the book are thought of by the government as in the same league as the people who work in the nightclubs.Why are they not testing people who come on holiday and are likely to use the nightclubs.
Do they test London Cyps on returning.
So the excuse of wanting to keep illness out of the TRNC doesn't wash with me.

Some interesting points made for sure.

1. As far as testing the over 60s is concerned I suppose its all to do with this "agreement" that you do not need a visa extension to stay beyond 90 days. This however is only an agreement and not law, so could be changed or interpretted differently at any time. Maybe its a cultural thin, for example a sort of respect for
those of a more mature age? I have no real answer to this one.

2. As for the under 60s who are 90 day stayers who pop across the border and return hoping for another 90 day stamp.....that is fine but what happens when one day you return and only get a 7 day stamp or maybe 14 days. That is when the panic sets in as you then have to start the visa extension process, get the blood tests, bank checks etc or leave. It will probably never happen.............will it?

3. London turkish cypriots coming in....why should they need testing.......I dont need testing when I head back to the UK.

A lot of the above could be answered perphaps because they do not have the necessary infrastructure in place to capture all the detail required and policing it would be nigh on impossible. I certainly do not understand the logic sometimes but hey this is not my country so will try and abide by the rules as best we can.

For those who would prefer to moan or sail close to the wind, good luck....we would much prefer to relax and enjoy our time out here....warts and all.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 9:31 am

Lottidotti wrote:If they want to keep out illness why are they not insisting on everyone having blood test.Why under 60 and not over 60....Why not test the 90 day stayers who then go over to the south for a few hours and return.
You can live in the TRNC for 365 days a year as a foreigner and not need to be tested....So the excuse of wanting to keep illness out of the TRNC doesn't wash with me.

I see that Posh has posted while I was typing, but never mind : -

Lottidotti, if you read my previous post, and then apply a little thought, you will see why.

As I said, I believe that the regulations were originally brought in with 'Turkish peasant settlers' in mind. They would not be allowed (even if they had the cash) to go South, or jet-set around the World, so the setup was a 'good fit' for that scenario.

Having got the procedures in place, then later on, it was just applied to all foreigners, including the Brits etc when the great influx started.

Nobody thought, or cared enough to bother wondering whether the rules were still relevant.

They just carried on doing what they had been told to do.

The people who drafted the regulations (& who might have had a clue!) were presumably long since gone from power.

It is always hard to convince governments that a change is necessary, as they prefer to just sit back and take it easy.

Don't forget that they don't care about us, we don't have the vote, so we can't get them into power, or get them out. Try to look at things from their perspective, and just be grateful that they let you stay here - you don't have a God-given right, you know, and you did choose to move away from the one Country where you had citizen's rights and the freedom to speak out...

Lottidotti · Post by **Lottidotti** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 9:43 am

All I am saying is that the governments excuse doesn't wash.Dont get me wrong I am all in favour of regulation the more stringent the better.The blood test is fine if it applies to everyone but it doesn't.
If they wanted to change the rules for the blood test I am quite sure they could do it quite quickly.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 9:50 am

Lottidotti wrote:..If they wanted to change the rules for the blood test I am quite sure they could do it quite quickly.

You miss my point.

I think that they don't actually, actively WANT to change the rules - because I think that they don't actually CARE - one way or the other

I think that we are so far down on their list, that they don't even think about us!

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 12:43 pm

Keithcaley,

Agree. We as foreigners have no vote or say in the TRNC, so no government is going to spend time worrying about us.

The rules/laws are in place and interpreted in a variety of ways. Frustrating as it may well be, if as a foreigner you choose to live here then you have to take the Cyprus way things happen. It may not seem fair but then again thats life sometimes and in the grand scheme of things the visa extension checks are really not that inconvenient nor expensive.

Obviously if the Cyprus problem is ever resolved and the TRNC merges with the ROC and is in the EU there will be huge changes and the visa/residency issues will in time have to come in line with EU rules.....but that is a whole different debate.

Personally we prefer things as they are, the island has been at peace for 40 years and long may it stay that way.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 4:20 pm

Keith, It might have been the "Settlers" that started the blood test ball rolling but also don't forget that the nearly invisible Pakistani garden brigade and restaurants also have to have their blood test as well - and there are lots and lots and lots and lots of them changing over all the time. The constant cash flow must be quite useful, certainly no government anywhere would like to lose a solid and free income. I equate it to the damn BBC TV license - most people don't need it and nobody wants it but everyone has to have it - or not.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Tue 14 Jul 2015 7:55 pm

waddo wrote:...no government anywhere would like to lose a solid and free income. I equate it to the damn BBC TV license - most people don't need it and nobody wants it but everyone has to have it - or not.

I don't disagree

Whatarotty · Post by **Whatarotty** » Thu 16 Jul 2015 1:43 pm

Poshindevon - immigration was just the Girne Police Station, it was really very simple and no fees so far....when we go to get the stamp at Lefkosa the process is the same as everyone else......I will post on here my experience of the lefkosa immigration at the end of the month but at the moment we are very pleased with what we have gone through.

come_on_aylin · Post by **come_on_aylin** » Thu 16 Jul 2015 1:56 pm

Whatarotty, sounds like it's changed since last year as I had to go to the hospital to get an xray and then I take the results of that together with the blood test results from last donation to the police station. Very happy if I don't have to go through that process again this year.

Btw, the other useful thing about giving blood is if you have to have an operation in state hospital and they ask for blood tests then you can use the results from your last donation, provided it was fairly recent.

Whatarotty · Post by **Whatarotty** » Fri 31 Jul 2015 10:19 pm

As promised an update as today we finalised our residency renewal at Lefkosa, arrived 11:10 and was out at 11:26 all done, no questions.......and went shopping to south side too......

We did not have to do blood tests because we are blood donors and we didn't have to visit the hospital for X-ray or jabs. Maybe we were lucky this time but it was a painless procedure throughout......I can not promote being a blood donor enough ( if you are able to) please do it, it has so many benefits.......

mrsgee · Post by **mrsgee** » Fri 31 Jul 2015 10:40 pm

At the risk of being shot down in flames....oh what the heck, go ahead.......isn't it a pity that there are not such rules in Uk....maybe that way UK would at least get a bit of revenue to compensate for all the hand outs.....wooooo tin hat at the ready!!!!!!

Whatarotty · Post by **Whatarotty** » Sat 01 Aug 2015 6:30 am

Mrsgee you won't get any flack from me, I totally agree!!!

Gatsby · Post by **Gatsby** » Wed 05 Aug 2015 6:35 am

Advice needed: Have been renewing residency each September for the last 4 years. At the end of August will be in Sicily for most of the year and back for visits under 90 days.

Once in the residency renewal system are you in it for good, or can I get 90 days visa when I come back at Christmas and not have to worry about expired residency, late fines etc?

ozonkoyboy · Post by **ozonkoyboy** » Wed 05 Aug 2015 8:32 am

Getting back to the original post
They call it Employment

dynamic · Post by **dynamic** » Wed 05 Aug 2015 11:14 am

Is it the same procedure for our second time as the first, same documents to the police station, bloods, immigration in Lefkosia later.

Thanks

JoandJelly · Post by **JoandJelly** » Wed 05 Aug 2015 9:40 pm

Yes same procedure but make sure you take the pink/blue books you were given the first time. Also, you only need stamps for the Lefkosa bit from now on. Hope this makes sense.

dynamic · Post by **dynamic** » Wed 05 Aug 2015 11:00 pm

Thanks

compass · Post by **compass** » Thu 06 Aug 2015 6:42 am

Gatsby

When you stop doing residency you automatically revert to tourist visa/90 day rule. Yes they will notice the expired residency stamps in your passport and may ask about them, but that's all.

Never caused any problems - so far!!!

C'pass

Jonesy299 · Post by **Jonesy299** » Thu 06 Aug 2015 7:39 am

Just completed our residency for the 2nd year - no problems. Quickly dealt with at police station - bit of a queue at the hospital to pick up documentation / pay for blood tests. Quickly seen at private lab for the tests and then back to the police station same day with receipts for tests so that they could complete their processing and send the documents to Lefkosia.
5 working days later went back to hospital to collect blood tests and then a few days later went to Lefkosia office - airconditioned waiting room, seen within 15 mins of arrival, monies paid and residency sorted.
It's a bit of a pain but we had the same experience last year - either we are very lucky or others are making the process seem more of a nightmare than it actually is.

dynamic · Post by **dynamic** » Thu 06 Aug 2015 4:39 pm

Sorry to ask again but do we need passport photos again?

Thanks

come_on_aylin · Post by **come_on_aylin** » Thu 06 Aug 2015 5:17 pm

No passport photos required for renewal

dynamic · Post by **dynamic** » Thu 06 Aug 2015 7:01 pm

Thanks

come_on_aylin · Post by **come_on_aylin** » Fri 04 Sep 2015 11:15 am

Did the first part of my residency today. Having donated blood 3 times in the last year, I collected the results of my latest donation (given at Girne) from the blood bank at Lefkosa this morning. Straight to Police station where there wasn't much of a queue, about 9am. However, despite 3 officers being present we were all told to wait outside. About 30 minutes later, when a large queue of increasingly disgruntled punters had formed, they started to process applications. I was hopeful that I would not need to go for an x-ray, given whatarotty's experience, but sadly it was not to be. I had to trot off to the hospital, stand in another couple of queues, get my results on CD and return to police station at 10.30, no queue. Officer looked a bit confused about CD but processed my application, though blood test results and CD didn't appear to get attached to rest of documents. Just hope that the next stage goes smoothly. It's my 10th time and nearly every application has involved a different process!

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Fri 11 Mar 2016 10:41 am

Question and help please

We are commencing the renewal of our residency next week .....both of us are under 60

We are gathering together paperwork, passports, pink card, photocopies, etc etc and having done it last year we think we have everything in place.

Do we still need a muhtars letter to take with us.....we still live in same place, bills are in our names etcetc. We got a letter last year, but wondered if we needed one again this year.

Help appreciated and if any under 60 has recently renewed maybe they could pm, email or post with details, just in case we may have missed something!

Cheers

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Fri 11 Mar 2016 11:11 am

You do need a Muhtar's letter of proof of residing in his patch. You will need one every year you apply.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Fri 11 Mar 2016 12:22 pm

Cheers for info, much appreciated.

gary&shirley · Post by **gary&shirley** » Mon 14 Mar 2016 5:58 pm

New to the Island we did our first residency in December, all went according to the BRS website, as stated by many above we decided to live here and of course will abide by the rules only wish the UK did something similar. Our only issue with the whole process was that the sealed blood test results (no x-ray) were opened at Nicosia and put straight onto our files without even being looked at which I found rather strange!!!

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 14 Mar 2016 6:38 pm

If your blood test made it to your files then there is nothing wrong with it! If there was anything wrong with it then it would never have made it that far, don't worry about it.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Mon 14 Mar 2016 6:57 pm

Went to renew residency for second time today. Having done it once we knew the process. Have to say all went well, no queues anywhere.....done and dusted in a couple of hours including photocopying the mass of paperwork twice over.

Pick up blood tests next week and Lefkosia in 2 weeks time.

As this is our second go at it, will we be given or offerred 1 or 2 years? Anyone know....we are both under 60 at the moment, with one of us reaching that milestone next year!

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