Five years residency for over 60's

[waddo]

Interestingly, after talking with my TC friends - some wealthy and some not - they both came out with the same ideas on health insurance. For a start they both pay into Social Sigorta but neither of them prefer to use it these days as they find the hospitals are full of “foreigners” and the waiting times are too long! They both understand the UK system of NHS and place a direct comparison to the system in place here - long waiting lists but cheap prices for foreigners! They asked me what I do - simple really, We pay into the system here because we have to and because we are too old to get any private medical insurance. We use private medical as and when needed, we budget for this and try to keep a lump sum available to cope with disasters - difficult! We try to eat well, drink little and exercise often, myself at 77 and having been a smoker for 65 of those years, I guess cancer will finish me but it’s been a good, full life!
So what about the unknown cost of medical insurance/residency for over 60’s? If asked to pay for 5 years or less then we will pay for it, if nothing else whilst we can still afford to pay it - remembering we will only be paying a token - stamp fee - for the 5 years residency - somebody who can not afford private medical will benefit from our payments!
And you never know if one day you may actually need it yourself - meanwhile, we will still have to pay for treatment received in any state hospital, the same as any other foreigner who goes there!
Bottom line from my TC friends is that they do not believe anyone over 60 should have to pay for the medical insurance to gain exemption from residency!

[gates]

I will pay just give me the 5 years of problem free. I honestly thought that there would be only good vibes for this not still moaning

[waddo]

Gates, it’s always the same, if you offered people free beer with their meal there will still be those who moan because they don’t drink! Now it’s offered 5 years of residency for less than 40tl but because they might still have to pay for something that they would always have had to pay for anyway - moan! Try giving someone something for free here and they ask what do you want for it first!

[snd1966]

Uunfortunately one dying is a certainty and funds and people who can access the accounts should be considered.
Employers have to place a bounty for employees, maybe foreigners should have to deposit for a funeral especially if insurance is not in place.

[waddo]

snd1996, Death isn’t a subject that many people will think about and even less will talk about, funeral plans are widely available yet very difficult to sell when customers need to be dragged kicking and screaming into a discussion on the future! We found one and paid for it over 4 years - done and dusted - not cheap but something else for everyone to consider to make it simple for those left behind! Trying to convince people it makes sense is almost impossible if it costs them money

[benjaminbutton]

Some time ago we did try here in TRNC to pay in advance over a period of time , but no one interested as they didn't want to be responsible for other peoples' money and funeral charges were going up all the time.

[waddo]

We used these people - contact@avalon-trustee.co.uk - our contact at that time was based in the ROC but has since moved on. I now have a contact that deals with this end of the Med but she is based in Spain. They did burial here or repatriation to the country of your choice, we are heading for Dhekelia Military Cemetery when the time comes - lol.

[benjaminbutton]

Pity that, cos I reckon it can catch people (and their family) out at a time when they least need it.

[waddo]

Avalon still deal with Cyprus, they just no longer have an agent based here!

[alphamike]

Got my residency permit yesterday. Famagusta region.

Timescale
Applied online 25th June (before new 5 year exemption had been announced)
Police appointment in Famagusta 2nd July.
Paid 1 year health insurance 2nd July with Chase UK debit card (can't remember TL amount now) £82.81
Checked 17th July, at 70% and paid residency fee of 873.70 TL (inc stamp tax) with Chase card.
Permit issued giving me 6 months, so will be able to get 5 year exemption in January 2025.

When I was at Famagusta police station, after they spoke to Immigration, I was told I would get 6 months, and then get 5 year through at Lefkosa.
However on seeing that I had applied for 2 years, they weren't sure, and I may well be issued with 2 years. Fair enough.
When the health insurance came up, realised it was only for 1 year, so assumed I wouldn't be getting 2.
As it is, have indeed been given 6 month permit, although the figure that I paid, didn't tally with my estimate of paying for 6 months (it was less).
No complaints from me. Am glad that my renewal is changed to January now, rather than in the heat of summer, and I can make travel arrangements back to UK for next summer. That's assuming they don't kick me out, and fail to give me 5 year exemption!

[waddo]

alphamike, Thanks for the update. I am going to go to immigration on the 14 days prior to my residency renewal (High Earner) instead of applying online for a police appointment, just to see what will happen. It will either work or not, if not then I just apply as normal and as I am in the Girne catchment I will wait, wait, wait and wait a bit longer in months to get the appointment. By then I expect the whole system will have changed another two or three times so I will probably meet you at the airport as we both get kicked out - lol. Take care out there.

[alphamike]

No problem Waddo. I do hope that they announce something soon for high earners. They could have done an over 60's for everyone, why they chose not to is beyond me.
I have heard that Girne waiting times for new applicants is a lot quicker now. Those already stuck in the system just have to wait.

Pick me up in the taxi to Ercan then, I prefer the road over mountains Tatlisu end to the one along your end. We can save on the fare as we leave.

[waddo]

The Head of Immigration already made the position clear to the press on the first announcement of the over 60's exemption bit so if he goes back on that he will have a hard time convincing anyone he is to be trusted with anything else - it just needs to be published in the Resmi to make it law and that is all the High Earners are waiting for. Meanwhile I will press to test and see what comes of it - can't be worse than the current situation for us in any case so it's worth a shot. My TC mate has been through all the stuff in the Resmi and the laws and says there is nothing to stop it so we will go together and he can argue my case as well. After all this will only be the third time this year I have been told "NO", shrug, so nothing will be new for us - lol. I have an old motor that would take us all up to Ercan then I can just leave it there, saves the cost of a taxi - lol.

[alphamike]

Understood Waddo, best of luck then. You can let us know how it goes.
Lol, an old motor will be absolutely fine, am quite happy to chip in for the petrol money.

[Keithcaley]

...quite happy to chip in for the petrol money.

Petrol money? - I think that a shovelful of COAL is nearer the mark!

[waddo]

alphamike, ignore Keith he is only jealous because my old motor can still get from 0 to 60 in less time than you can do it walking - sometimes - lol...You just can't beat a solid fuel engine that does not need oil changes...

[alphamike]

KC What are you like?

Don't you worry Waddo, any kind of vehicle will be way faster than me. Plus didn't they build things better and to last in the past, none of this built in obsolescence?

[Velmore]

Has anybody obtained their 5 year exemption by applying MORE THAN 3 days before the end of their residency expires?

[Dropshort]

Or even a first time application from scratch?

[Dropshort]

Could anyone please point me in the direction of documents required for applying for (initial) 5 year residency. Thought I’d seen the list posted on Kibkom but can’t find it. Thanks in advance

[Dropshort]

Found it. Thanks tutor4you for posting. Still no reports of anyone applying or having success though???

[rockpebbler]

we got 5 yrs within the first week it was available, took just over 15 mins in total for both of us

[Kanonier]

we got 5 yrs within the first week it was available, took just over 15 mins in total for both of us

How many days before your current Temporary Residency expired did you apply ?

[kerry 6138]

Could anyone please point me in the direction of documents required for applying for (initial) 5 year residency. Thought I’d seen the list posted on Kibkom but can’t find it. Thanks in advance

Just for clarity its, 5 year exemption from immigration rules, so could have affects on future permanent residency or citizenship applications.

[Dropshort]

Kerry 6138. Thanks for the clarification.