Permanent Residency - The Very Latest

[JBA]

Today I went to renew my residency and asked for permanent as I am over 60 have been here for more than 5 years.

These are the facts as given to me:-

1. Yes, they will accept my application today.

2. The process takes 3 months so is not a viable alternative to imminent renewal. I have thus renewed for 1 year while I apply.

3. Each case is considered personally by the director.

4. The cost is 1,500tl - about 6 years worth of annual renewals including stamps, muktah letter, petrol etc. but with annual increases I personally think I will break even after 5 years.

5. You apply at the normal renewal place in Lefkosa - when you get to the counter just tell them you want permanent.

6. You need to supply the following (I was given a printed list so it is probably accurate .....for today at least).

a) Passport + copy.

b) Criminal record from TRNC police + copy.

c) Ins/Outs for 5 years although they later said they could look this up - they also said an exit for more than 90 days may be a problem.

d) Proof of income + copy. Bank account lump sums are not sufficient - they need to verify annual income.

e) House title deed/purchase contract or rental agreement + copy

f) Marriage certificate (if appropriate) + copy

g) Birth certificate + copy (must contain father's and mother's name)

....no mention of little blue (or pink) book, muktah letter, x-ray or blood test.

The guy at the counter took me to another office to talk to the 'expert' so I am fairly sure of my facts.

[ailletoo]

Thank you very much for this well presented information... much appreciatded.

[Halffull]

Thanks for the comprehensive review, as you say probably change tomorrow, but its got to be worth it just not to have to do it again

[sophie]

Just think....there must be quite a number of people who have a line drawn through "Fathers Name" and will be turned down for Permanent Residency. Talk about feeling like a 3rd class citizen!!! In the 21st Century. I don't think so.

[JBA]

Sorry Sophie - I don't follow the logic of that. Father's and Mother's names are required on Muktah letters and applications for ordinary residency. So why do you assume that the absence of a father's name would be an impediment to permanent residency. Or do you suggest that affected people have lied to get the 5 years of temporary residency necessary to apply for permanent.
I doubt anyone in such a position would wish to report their experiences here, but I would be very surprised if every such person had lied year after year or, alternatively, failed to get temporary residency because of it.

[mamachina]

News from a visit BRS paid to Immigration yesterday is that an xray and blood test will be needed for Permanent residency - the rest is as already so ably put in by another Kimkomer.

[sophie]

JBA, the only reason I said that is that I suspect someone I know has already been turned down because there was no name on the section of the birth certificate where "Name of Father" would normally be printed. Many people will write the name of an adopted father on the intial paper work and on the Muhtar letter but on the Birth Certificate, it could be left blank. On your (g) it clearly states Mother and Fathers name. It could be an interesting scenario to check that out wouldn't it?

[cyprusishome]

So the cost will be around 1700tl with the addition of medical leading to a payback time of close to 7 years.
Personally enjoy the trip to immigration every 2 years so will be giving a miss for this coming year and wait and see if the cost becomes more sensible.

Thanks to mamachina for keeping us updated.

[DieHard]

What are the benefits of permanent residency besides not having to apply every 2 years?

[Deniz1]

As I understand it there are no benefits other than not going every time. You dont get any different rights and no kimlik card.

[Philoz]

I have done a bit of number crunching on this (I am a retired IFA and used to doing similar calculations)-
Cyprusishome is correct,I calculated the payback to be around 7.39 years.

That was taking into account lost interest on your lump sum payment at around 9.5%.

I think it is a little like buying an Annuity(A guaranteed income in exchange for a lump sum)-you are taking a gamble as to how long you expect to live.

So,If you apply when you are 60,It sounds like a good deal to me given that the average male life expectancy at that age is currently 20.36 years-for females the deal is much better,given that a 60 year old female can expect to live for 23.65 years(I have never understood why women get their pensions earlier but live longer ).

Overall,I think the big benefit is that you are drawing a line in the sand.

And of course not having to take the best part of a day out of your life sitting in a stinking hot waiting room every one or two years full of screaming kids has got to be worth something if you value your time and sanity- Although I note Cyprusishome enjoys the experience????.

The other thing is that, as everyone who lives here knows, things change here on a daily basis-next year the fee (Excluding medicals) may double,or treble, you never know here.

My conclusion is therefore, If you are 60, or near 60, don't like uncertainty,or queueing and have a decent life expectancy- then go for it!

If you are 75, of either sex,and have a dodgy ticker,and your doctor has recommended that you do not renew any annual subscriptions you may have-then forget it a go on a 'pay as you live' basis.

PS- If you have a stamp in your passport saying you are a permanent resident here-the NHS or tax people in the UK may have issues with this-but I just don't know the answer to that one.

[cyprusishome]

philoz,
An excellent summary of the options. The only person who can make the decision is yourself and once made have no regrets.

As for my experiences, met some really nice people while waiting there and had some pleasant and sometimes informative conversations. It is the people watching thing especially Brits who start stomping around after they have waited for 5 minutes. Most of us have nothing better to do for an hour so just enjoy what is going on around you and maybe you will learn something, perhaps practice some of your Turkish with all those others who are going through the same crap.

[Philoz]

Cyprusishome- thank you for kind comments.
Although I have to disagree that there are better ways than getting to know people than In government offices!,although I do agree they are good 'people watching' hotspots.
Dole offices in the UK are the best for people watching(Never been on the Dole ,but had a friend who worked in one)
Now they are like that weird bar off the first Star Wars film.

[cyprusishome]

Lets play one up man ship!!

My wife worked in a dole office.. NA,NA!!!!!

[andrew4232]

posts going off topic so now locked if you get more info please start a fresh post