Residency rules change.

[Medjoul1]

Don't bother going to immigration in Lefkosa, the rules changed at midnight. I was there this morning to be told "go to Girne police station to apply for residency".

Went straight to Girne police station to be told "we don't have the forms yet but you have a year to apply and soon you'll be able to do it online".

No mention of blood tests/ hospital visits. I am over 60 but was never asked.

Good luck.

[Chriswright03]

Good to know that the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. My understanding is that once you have applied then you don't have to leave at the end of your 90 day visa BUY that will depend on who is interpreting the rules at the time I guess. Clear as mud to a blind duck.

[Medjoul1]

Yes Chris, we all appear to have been blindsided with this. Its even more annoying as I waited all day yesterday from half ten to finally get to the counter to be told "we are now finished, come back tomorrow". Got off at the crack of dawn this am to be no 4 in the queue only to be informed of the change so thats two completely wasted trips from Lapta to Lefkosa. I can only feel for the poor souls that don't have their own transport.

[Medjoul1]

Ok, as I'm not tekky savvy enough to put the list up, here it is from the nice policeman;
Documents to be attached,
Para A - for all types of Permits
Applicants passport page with last entry stamp
Documents to prove applicants income (Bank Statements)
A domicile cert. (Muhtars letter)
Rental agreement of the domicile on behalf of applicant (except for yacht tourism)
1 passport photo taken within the last X months (Its badly photocopied so can't make it out)

Para B- for specific types of Permits
1 Immovable Property Ownership
a) Title deed or
b) Sale agreement and receipts proving the total price is paid
c) A document to prove that the application is made to the Councel of Ministers to obtain a letter for immovable property ownership

The other specific permits include;
Health tourism
In Service training/Student exchange
Yacht tourism
Judicial/Administative assignments
TRNC Graduates

For me it poses more questions than its answered but no doubt that it has been put out just be later ammended. I'm most concerned about Para B, part b in that I like many others I don't have my Title deed as, subject to contract final payment is made upon transfer of Title. As I refuse to be blackmailed by the builder to transfer title so have with held final payment, this could be a tricky one.

Your thoughts.......

[PoshinDevon]

I cannot really understand why some are trying to interpret rules which as far as I can tell are not set in stone. Hearing something from a friend, a policeman or whoever is of no help whatsoever. I am sure these people are trying to be helpful but remember that it’s their interpretation of the regulations. The messages get confused, diluted until they are meaningless.

From what I have read thro various on line links it appears that the initial information that was published in papers a while ago are now being revisited following meetings with TRNC politicians where concerns were raised by a number of organisations. One of these organisations may well be the BRS , although I have no evidence of this.

I am still hoping that as the BRS raised queries re the over 60s residency rules earlier this year that they would at least provide information as they understand it at the moment and provide updates on any changes or anomalies. I cannot understand there reluctance to do this as it affects everyone not just BRS members. I do understand that any information they post is still in a state of flux but to not make any comment seems somewhat strange to me. Even if the comment made were along the lines of “the BRS are working with the TRNC administration in order to clarify the new residency rules and further information will be available in due course”.

I will say now I am not a BRS member.

[13roman58]

Thanks for the update.

[offshoredi]

I crossed the border early hours of this morning only got 30 day stamp on my passport she told me the rules changed today will have to apply to Immigration for a residency!!!!

[Chriswright03]

I attended a meeting with the BRS recently to find out what was going on. In actual fact they knew very little for certain and assured us that when they did they would let us know. I spent time talking to the Chairman Peter Wilkins and did suggest that it would do no harm to post something on here even though everyone on here isn't a member of the BRS I thought it would show a good will to the community as a whole. I did arrange for him to be in contact with the forum admin and he said he would consider posting once he had spoken with the rest of his committee.

As there has been no post from the BRS I can only assume that for some reason a decision was made not to post on here. I am saddened by that but it was their choice. If through the notifications from BRS I found out anything concrete I will copy and paste it in here.

[jayceebee]

I attended a meeting with the BRS recently to find out what was going on. In actual fact they knew very little for certain and assured us that when they did they would let us know. I spent time talking to the Chairman Peter Wilkins and did suggest that it would do no harm to post something on here even though everyone on here isn't a member of the BRS I thought it would show a good will to the community as a whole. I did arrange for him to be in contact with the forum admin and he said he would consider posting once he had spoken with the rest of his committee.

As there has been no post from the BRS I can only assume that for some reason a decision was made not to post on here. I am saddened by that but it was their choice. If through the notifications from BRS I found out anything concrete I will copy and paste it in here.

I am a member of BRS.
To date nothing received from them regarding this issue.

[Loobyloo]

Crossed today about 4.30pm told we needed 30 day visa told the guy not as far as we knew, we were over 60 and had been told we had 12months to apply for our residency, also that there had been no verification of what the situation was to be. He looked bemused and just handed back passports. Think right hand and left hand but what’s new

[waddo]

Wait for Residency V1.01, right now they are using the beta version of Residency V1.00!

[Loobyloo]

Maybe having unnecessarily poked this issue the BRS might like to help us understand what the situation is and who requires what when

[Medjoul1]

Posh in Devon,

I don't fully understand your comments if they were directed at my post, have you read the thread from the beginning? This was not heresay or gossip, this was from the immigration counter in Lefkosa and from the police station in Girne. As I said we wait for the inevtible ammendments but unfortunately this is how things stand at the present. No doubt the BRS are in consultation for clarification and will inform the members in due course.

[PoshinDevon]

Posh in Devon,

I don't fully understand your comments if they were directed at my post, have you read the thread from the beginning? This was not heresay or gossip, this was from the immigration counter in Lefkosa and from the police station in Girne. As I said we wait for the inevtible ammendments but unfortunately this is how things stand at the present. No doubt the BRS are in consultation for clarification and will inform the members in due course.

I have read all the posts on the various topics re residency. My comments were not specifically directed at your post but I was trying to highlight what others have said re things not being clear.

What I am trying to emphasise is that the rules and regulations are not set in stone. I have been here long enough now to realise that even the officials at the immigration office and also the police often interpret things differently. This may well be because the rules and regulations are not clear to them. If you then add the thoughts of “friends”, “friends of friends”, “policemen friends” or whatever then the situation becomes very confusing.

Appreciate your post but things are far from clear at the moment. It is however interesting to read about everyone’s different experiences.

[mrsgee]

Medjoul1 I think you were the man we met yesterday at immigration, and I have to say you are both calm and logical about the whole thing. You had two wasted days, but have still posted information to assist others. We were the last ones to get our 2 year residency yesterday under the old rules, so we can, I think, be calm for the next two years. What I truly do not understand is why there are people on this forum constantly blaming the BRS for bringing the issue up in the first place, or as loobyloo said, 'unnecessarily poked' … so do you know that for a fact? Maybe the BRS found that the rules were being scrutinised around the 'gentleman's' agreement, and so sought clarification rather than waiting until rules changed without any input. I do not understand people, who are not, and have stated will NEVER be, members of the BRS choose to criticise, and even expect BRS to inform them of the current situation. In fact there have been articles in Cyprus today on the subject, stating the position and also stating that the BRS are still seeking clarification. At the end of the day maybe all these people who choose to criticise the BRS but maintain they are not and will not join and therefore do not support the organisation, should get off their backsides and seek clarification themselves......and yes, I AM a member of the BRS....

[teatime]

I think the problem is the police interpret it as they want to, they think they are superior to anyone else.
The BRS are becoming a joke in my eyes, I am a member, they don't reply to emails, I sent one a week ago and a friend of mine nearly 5 weeks ago and neither of us have had a reply. I have lost faith in them and am considering ending my membership. Why pay them when they do absolutely nothing.
My situation is now getting near the stage of being desperate. I have been doing all in my power to abide by all the rules and am running out of time. If I am forced by this inefficiency to leave I have a lot of animals that depend on me and will suffer. Not my animals, whom I would do all in my power to take with me, but many street animals which I feed twice daily.
What sort of government bring in new rules when they are totally unprepared to implement them properly? (OK, perhaps the UK at the moment).
Please don't close this thread like the last one regarding this situation was, as I'm sure many of us are dying to know what to do.

[teatime]

Mrs gee

I am a member of the BRS and through a third party, who I am not prepared to name but they rang the head of the BRS last Friday and that person told them that they were meeting with the Prime Minister and the person who has invented these new rules on Monday and that the BRS would clarify via email to members all the information regarding the new rules later that day. As a member, still nothing. Regarding my email to them, still nothing. I can only assume they don't give a fecal matter about their members. (Bit like British MP's I suppose).

[PoshinDevon]

Medjoul1 I think you were the man we met yesterday at immigration, and I have to say you are both calm and logical about the whole thing. You had two wasted days, but have still posted information to assist others. We were the last ones to get our 2 year residency yesterday under the old rules, so we can, I think, be calm for the next two years. What I truly do not understand is why there are people on this forum constantly blaming the BRS for bringing the issue up in the first place, or as loobyloo said, 'unnecessarily poked' … so do you know that for a fact? Maybe the BRS found that the rules were being scrutinised around the 'gentleman's' agreement, and so sought clarification rather than waiting until rules changed without any input. I do not understand people, who are not, and have stated will NEVER be, members of the BRS choose to criticise, and even expect BRS to inform them of the current situation. In fact there have been articles in Cyprus today on the subject, stating the position and also stating that the BRS are still seeking clarification. At the end of the day maybe all these people who choose to criticise the BRS but maintain they are not and will not join and therefore do not support the organisation, should get off their backsides and seek clarification themselves......and yes, I AM a member of the BRS....

Firstly a warning to everyone to please keep to topic. If this topic starts to go downhill it will be locked.

My understanding is that it was indeed the BRS who raised the subject of the “gentlemen’s agreement” for those over 60 and the requirements for residency. I am perfectly happy that clarification should be sought, it was needed. However; since these new rules affect everyone and not just BRS members I feel it is incumbent on them to provide as much information as possible regarding any changes/updates to these regulations. This forum is the ideal place to do this.

This is not a criticism of the BRS it is a genuine suggestion and an opportunity for them to help the whole community. I do not think being a BRS member in this instance is applicable. Better the information comes from one central, well respected source for the benefit of everyone whether a BRS member or not.

Any derogatory comments re the BRS would be moderated as they would be doing there best to keep everyone informed about the new regulations as and when they become known.

[teatime]

Poshindevon

If you are referring to my post, everything I have stated is the complete truth. I had someone who is in contact with the head of BRS ring that person last Friday. Promised that all information relating to the new rules would be sent to members on Monday. Still nothing. As a moderator I understand that you can shut down these topics but please don't as many people are seriously affected by this even if you aren't.

[PoshinDevon]

Poshindevon

If you are referring to my post, everything I have stated is the complete truth. I had someone who is in contact with the head of BRS ring that person last Friday. Promised that all information relating to the new rules would be sent to members on Monday. Still nothing. As a moderator I understand that you can shut down these topics but please don't as many people are seriously affected by this even if you aren't.

You have a pm.

I was not referring to your post. It is a general warning that if the topic starts to go downhill it will be locked/deleted.

Regarding your concerns re the BRS please take them up directly with that organisation.