Are BRS dealing with this only they have gone very quiet.
There are many people who don’t rate the BRS so please
NO NEGATIVE comments This issue effects us ALL
This is becoming a frightening time for Renters and Owners alike, goal post being moved at every turn.
Now people are going to police who are requesting more paperwork in way of utility bills none of which BRS have advised we require.
All expats bring money into TRNC, most use private hospitals, all the money spent in supermarkets, employing tradesmen to carry out work.
All will lose out When mass exodus starts.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. BRS let us know what is happening What BRS are doing who you are talking to before that exodus begins.
Thank you
I understand your frustrations but I think you are being unfair targetting the BRS it's as though you are making them a scapegoat for the rogue Immigration Police/staff. The BRS do sterling work taking our collective grievances/problems and liaising with the relevant ministers. They can hardly be blamed for individuals representing Immigration going off piste.
I'm also sure that the authorities wouldn't lose any sleep if there was a 'mass exodus ' because the places would be taken by the next influx of foreigners with the added benefit of sales taxes. We are after all in their country we haven't got a good given right to be here.
Luckily residency does not effect me but my customers worry, I hope businesses, local people show someone the future which to me will be empty homes where people can not sell, businesses struggling to survive, the island a concrete jungle.
New rumours the 3 x minimum wage must be in a bank here but surely if your pension covers this amount why does a year have to be lodged? And show proof that it's yours.
They used to love old people here, people have lived here 15 plus years and have shown their commitment to the island.
The whole ex pat community could up sticks and leave, the authorities would not bat an eye lid. In fact they would say " dont bang the door behind you bye"
Also, what would be quite devastating is, if Brits fall out of love with trnc, as many seem to be, who will then support the charities? Not the new influx of nationalties, I am sure. It's not just the money we bring in, nor the support for the Trnc recognition, but cancer, animal, and other charitable causes. Brits are famous for a helping hand.
snd1966, I think the 3 times minimum wage rumour being lodged in a bank is in relation to "High Income" people - renters/leasers - rather than Property Owners. Us old pensioners who rent/lease here and are therefore classed as "High Income" people have that hanging over our heads all the time. We can either have 3 times minimum wage (Gross) as income and proof of it OR we can have, saved up from our pensions, 12 times the 3 times minimum wage - currently £26,135.00 - lodged in a local bank and provide proof that it is ours and not just borrowed from a mate for the purpose of gaining residency!
But I can't see any problem with that says my mate who owns his own house!!!
Neither can I as my monthly pension comes in at £2,200.00 and that means I can save £26,400.00 in a single year - provided I don't eat or drink or drive or pay any bills - I can meet the current minimum requirements. Of course if the minimum wage were to go up then I am stuffed!!
Don't worry he tells me, the TL will hit 50 to the £ this year so you will be fine - lol.
Anyway my leaving won't affect the local population will it? But if 100 of us in the same situation leave then that could easily be a loss of 100 times £26,400.00 that is not going into the country's coffers every year!!! It's just basic math - £2,640,000.00 a year of income lost forever, good planning that!
No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.
For a number of years persons over 60 did not require residency. The BRS actively lobbied the government to "clarify" the arrangements for over 60s. Result - the current arrangements, thank the BRS!
snd1966, I think the 3 times minimum wage rumour being lodged in a bank is in relation to "High Income" people - renters/leasers - rather than Property Owners. Us old pensioners who rent/lease here and are therefore classed as "High Income" people have that hanging over our heads all the time. We can either have 3 times minimum wage (Gross) as income and proof of it OR we can have, saved up from our pensions, 12 times the 3 times minimum wage - currently £26,135.00 -
Neither can I as my monthly pension comes in at £2,200.00 and that means I can save £26,400.00 in a single year - provided I don't eat or drink or drive or pay any bills - I can meet the current minimum requirements. Of course if the minimum wage were to go up then I am stuffed!!
Don't worry he tells me, the TL will hit 50 to the £ this year so you will be fine - lol.
Anyway my leaving won't affect the local population will it? But if 100 of us in the same situation leave then that could easily be a loss of 100 times £26,400.00 that is not going into the country's coffers every year!!! It's just basic math - £2,640,000.00 a year of income lost forever, good planning that!
I still am being a bit thick , this person had a text stating she must have in her local account but surely if like you you can prove your pension covers the monthly minimum why do they need it here in a lump? It does seem a case of people not understanding in the office.
I must admit I feel for everyone who has lived and loved the island for years. I know everyone's case is slightly different but mainly it's the worry how everyone in the office interpretates the regulations . I expect you can live quite well here on your pension as long as the house owner does not get greedy, one thing not linked to the minimum wage.
Because it is the current rule for immigration, that is all. Why is it that way - who knows because it makes no sense to me either. The only thing I can think of is greed! There are a lot of people here who are happy, peaceful and living out the last years of their lives in comparative comfort, not rich and choking up the roads with stupidly large vehicles - just because they look great - just living. These are the people the Government seem to want to get rid of, why?
Maybe it goes back to the original rules and law for immigration - I used to have a copy of that but it had changed so much down the years that I threw it away. Then it was all about having proof of enough money for 90 days before you were allowed off the ship! Now, you have to prove you have three times as much for a whole year - madness and I hope they wake up and see what will happen before they sell all of the North to foreign buyers.
No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.
Well Medjoul1 I’m pleased you understand my frustration, it would seem reading the replies, there are MANY frustrated folk, do you understand their frustration also.
There are many worried people out here and wondering where their future lay, will it be in TRNC their home, or pasture’s new, many may be at an age now where this is not the time of life to be looking to up sticks and go.
Are you one of the few who hasn’t a care in the world because you meet the criteria or haven’t encountered the problems that seem many people have, you dont mind waiting months before your residency comes through, and are happy to have it a short while before you set the process off all over again.
Where do you feel I was targeting the BRS, I merely asked a question and by the response a lot of others are thinking the same. At no point did I make BRS a scapegoat they are normally on the ball with all this. Just to say they have tried alternative suggestions but hit a brick wall, it would let not only BRS member's but everyone know our corner is being fought.
Yes BRS do good work liaising with the relevant ministers, but this feed back would be appreciated, I have on occasions had to contact BRS for help and could not be more appreciative of the time effort and help one individual gave.
Who blamed them for “individuals representing Immigration going off piste”, I didn’t.
No maybe authorities wouldn't lose sleep with a mass exodus, but would the next ' lot of foreigners stand for queuing with the supposed relevant paperwork, only to be sent away and come back with paperwork not previously requested, I think not, not many foreigners are as polite and patient as the British.
We as ex pats live here because we all love the country, and what it has to offer, the life style the freedom to walk around safely.
As you stated “we are in their country it not a god given right” but we PAY to be here it’s not FREE we take NOTHING out, but put huge amounts IN, as we would in any other country we choose to live in.
As Mrsgee said we support the charitable causes look at the wonderful work Tulips do for cancer charity and patients, the animal charities and welfare, and other charitable causes. Brits are famous for a helping hand, what other countries would set up or support these charities.
All I ask is update us on exactly what we need to produce at the police appointment, where we can complain when turned away, for not having what they have now added to the list of must have’s.
A list set in stone would be lovely and I would not think that difficult, the renewal one could be smaller but one step at a time. Complain, to who, that would be new and I do think why we get so frustrated, we have everything why do we need this and only to return to see a different person who gives it back to you. It used to funny when you could return within half an hour but with traffic etc
poppy++1 yes I understand eveyone's frustrations because I am in the same situation and feel less secure here than here than I used to. At present I do meet the criteria but my worry is that the powers that be can change the rules on a whim and my situation become more precarious.
I'm not sure how you expect things to change for the better if you do get behind our representatives who are working hard behind the scenes to come to a more positive outcome. A rant on a forum might make you feel better but you're preaching to the converted I'm afraid.
Btw the TFR are working equally as hard on behalf of all of us.
That’s reassuring Medjoul1 you understand everyone's frustrations.
You’re lucky you meet the criteria as it is at present , a lot of people dont and feel less secure here.
It was not a rant as you put it or preaching, but being left in limbo, clearly my feelings have stirred a lot of people’s feelings if you read other comment’s on other Residency discussion's on here . The forum is for sharing good and bad news or is anyone’s comment on what you dont agree with seen as preaching.
How can anyone get behind our representatives, who as you say “are working hard behind the scenes”, perhaps if they came out from behind the scenes and share their findings, we would all be happier in knowing what the situation is, and what they are trying to do, more would be in favour of their work if they share what they know and what they are doing to help us.
I’m not in TFR are you ?? as you appear to have knowledge of what they are doing, I dont belong to any other organısatıon, so any work they do is of little consequence to me I’m afraid.
I am a fully paid up member of BRS and would like to know what my future here holds not much to ask is it ????
Yes I am in the TFR and the BRS. Caroline Houghton of the TFR and Mike D of the BRS work so hard and give up so much of their time answering worried peoples questions. Safety in numbers for me.
When you realise that the BRS are not really setup to help YOU but as a puppy dog conduit for the government here to keep YOU intact then it will all make sense, for that service they get certain spoils and privileges over YOU but just remember who they are really working for.
The evidence?...well what is the only thing of significance they have done in the last 10 years or so ah yes getting the 'agreement' of free residency for the over 60's overturned meaning that all the over 80's and others in poor health now have to go through this 'Dickensian process' of renewing residency every year or two and the stress that that entails.
The sudden financial stress on people here who should be enjoying their retirement is actually terrifying, I mean we didn't retire to Monaco did we?
Poor show BRS I mean what are they doing to challenge this now? Surely they could at least fight for an easier path to residency for people who have been here already for 5, 10, 20 years etc??
Last edited by techtrader on Mon 29 Jan 2024 9:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Spent hours yesterday trying to sort out my daughters residency at Girne police station. Left for the second time in two days with the application being rejected for reasons that we did not understand. A massive shout out to Mike from the BRS who we met up with yesterday and kindly gave us over one hour of his valuable time to explain what we needed to do. Thank you Mike and all others who give up their time to help us all.
Hammerhead, the BRS are not 'doing nothing' they have only recently issued guidelines having met with the relevant Gov. personnel in an attempt to clear up the ambiguities.
If you are not happy with the outcome why not approach the Ministry of the Interior yourself with your concerns and helpful suggestions. You must either be blind or very selective if you haven't seen that Mike D spends a lot of his own precious time on various forums helping people with their problems re. residency.
Hammerhead, the BRS are not 'doing nothing' they have only recently issued guidelines having met with the relevant Gov. personnel in an attempt to clear up the ambiguities.
If you are not happy with the outcome why not approach the Ministry of the Interior yourself with your concerns and helpful suggestions. You must either be blind or very selective if you haven't seen that Mike D spends a lot of his own precious time on various forums helping people with their problems re. residency.
Totally agree, Mike D must spend most of his waking hours answering queries raised by people, and actually meeting up with people to assist. I don't know what more anyone can expect to be honest. I think a lot of criticism aimed at the BRS maybe comes from people who are not even members. Furthermore, it must be remembered all this is voluntary, and I am sure there are other things they could do with their time, but choose to offer assistance.
Please all, remember that the BRS is a local NGO run on a voluntary basis dealing mostly with quite technical and politically motivated matters. If this were run by an international NGO, they would employ staff of high education with a depth of experience in the subject of 'civil society', meeting the high standards usually set by major donor institutions. The BRS, today, achieve this without question.
The BRS relies on the excellent abilities of a small handful of astute volunteers who all have big hearts to help out those who are confused by local affairs. I remember in 2009 when I first bought my property I attended a local 'get to know us' social gathering run by the BRS. I was horrified by both the attitudes of some members who were looking for something for nothing, and on the other hand by some at the top of the organisation who were past their 'use by date' and frankly, I think an embarrassment. I did not join needless to say.
Recently I have had need for some help with my property, and horrified by the fees proposed by local professionls, I decided to join the BRS on the back of some glowing reports I had read of how it is run and managed today, and has the ability to cut through ever mounting local jargon and help its members on their increasingly difficult journey through burgeoning TRNC officialdom. I was sure that all I needed was someone who could explain the detail of current processes which I could then undertake. It was the correct assumption thankfully.
Mike is obviously the rock of the organisation on the ground, and deserves great praise for his work and achievements for the BRS along with his colleagues. I just hope that he does not carry too large a burden and that there are others coming along in the BRS who can share the workload with the professionalism shown by the current leadership.
Reading the current BRS output on the residence issue and then reading the comments posted here and other forums, I really do wonder if the critics actually understand the the huge efforts made on the membership's behalf. The BRS has my full support, well done to them.
m
Realistic
Not unkind !
Everyone has a right to their opinion.
Experiences vary .
Glad you had a positive experience. Lucky you.
Others have not been so fortunate !
Since you obviously appear to have knowledge of others that have 'not been so fortunate ' perhaps you would like to give examples of of these and exactly where the BRS has not been supportive or helpful to their members, and, in fact often to people outside their membership. To suggest that people giving positive feedback are friends or associates of BRS is quite frankly an insult to those people. You clearly have an axe to grind, so be it. Unless you are a member of the brs and can speak with first hand experience maybe best to keep your opinions to yourself. Of course if you are a member I trust you have made your opinions known to the committee and people who voluntarily offer help.
My opinions are mine.
No axe to grind
Free speech
Democracy
Not answerable to you or anyone else for that matter
Yes brs member .
Mrs gee I suggest you chill out.
You obviously are grumpy about something
Have a good weekend
Ha you are so funny, thank you so much for your most constructive suggestion that I 'chill out' .... and if I may just respond to your assumption that I am Grumpy, well you are clearly not 'happy', you may be a bit 'dopey', obviously not 'bashful'...., I must admit your posts make me 'sleepy', so hey hoooooo...... Power to the People, Wolfie..... enjoy your weekend too, hope it is calm, and chilled, as mine will be.
If you care to go to https://icisleri.gov.ct.tr/ you will find all the information you require - apart from what documentation is required at the Police Check, should you be fortunate enough to actually get one - on the web site. Apart from one minor error where the "Regulation on Residence Permits and Visa's" takes you to the "Announcement to Farmers and Livestock Breeders" it is not a bad site. A word of warning if you are checking on requirements for Short Term Residency that used to be under "High Income", that is no longer there and instead it is now "Short-term residence permit according to income" - a further word here in that it shows a requirement of 3 minimum wage IAW RESIDENCE PERMITS and VISA REGULATION Article.15. However, on another page of the web site you will also find under the title SHORT-TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT that at the bottom of the information it states "those foreigners whose monthly income is equal to the total of 5 minimum wage"
Which one is correct I have no idea - maybe the ever popular, caring and sharing BRS could get that sorted so that the rest of us poor souls know how much we need to have.
In fairness, the web site is trying to be helpful but it does need an overhaul and much more information, I pointed this out on my last trip to the ministry last week and was told that it is all in hand!! Note: There is also a complaints form available on the web site should you wish to pop your head over the top of the trench - lol
No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.
I think we all have to remember that not everyone has the same frame of mind as to how things should or should not be done.
Voluntary groups try to help in whatever way they can. One lady in particular is very, very helpful especially where residency is concerned. Her knowledge is second to none.
Sadly not everyone has encountered favourable first hand knowledge & experiences of certain individuals within certain voluntary groups.
As usual a lot of critical non constructive criticism, people mentioning talking to ministers …. Have they actually tried that themselves yes we are visitors and yes we on the whole try to comply with all required documentation that is listed , but sorry the BRS group cannot change this ……they are no different from you or I
enjoy your weekend too, hope it is calm, and chilled, as mine will be.
