Residency = Advice on another "new" rule

[Taximax]

Went to Girne Police Station to renew my residency, I am a blood donor with up to date donations and am under 60.

I produced all the required documentation being:

Copy of Passport
Muhtar letter
Copy of Bank Statement
Copy of Sales Contract
Pink Card
Copy of Blood Donor Card

This was all checked and OK. I was then told that I should go to Immigration in Lefkosa in 14 days time to collect my residency having collected my latest blood results from Lefkosa Blood Bank to take with me.

I asked if I needed to go and get an xray and was told "NO as you are a blood donor" by the female police officer who appears to have replaced Hasan Mert.

Can anyone shed any light on what is actually required as I don't want to arrive in Lefkosa to be told I need an xay!!!!

[Marions]

I think BRS is the organisation to give your answers. Hopefully Mama China is reading this, but if not then take a look at the BRS web page - unless someone can give you the answer (with authority!) before that.

[puppylover]

I did my residency 3 weeks ago and like you I am a blood donor.

Did not have to have an x ray either.

No problems at Lefkosa Immigration. Just took my blood donor card and blood results letter.
I was slightly worried as the results collected at Lefkosa were not put in a envelope as required...again no problems.

I'm not sure if you have collected previous results from Lefkosa hospital, but should you have any problems finding your way around, go to the main reception and ask for "Tayfun" who is normally on the reception desk.
Speaks perfect English and will go the extra mile to help you.

[Taximax]

Thank you for your response Puppylover, very helpful ..... I'll go with your experience and hope the rules haven't changed again in the meantime!!!
As far as the BRS website is concerned, Marion, that was the first place I looked and all was as clear as mud : it has a link to the blood donor rules about not needing to have a blood test but does not mention the xray!! Perhaps someone from BRS could update the site and clarify......

Thanks again to Puppylover.

[Marions]

glad you have your answer. As to BRS site, I will pass on the message. I don't know who actuallyis responsible. I know who does the Facbeook for the blood donation, but the web site??????????????/ Maybe I should have checked myself before recommendin g it. I will ensure in future that I do.

good luck!

[zarafet]

When I did my residency end of last year, as a blood donor, Hasan said I didn't need an X ray. Went to Lefkosa with blood results and they didn't ask for the X ray, so I guess this means no X ray is needed for blood donors.

[IPMAN]

How come blood donors are exempt from the blood test and x-ray for residency - but they are still required for a work permits? does not seem fair to me.

[puppylover]

Blood donors are not exempt from the residency blood testing.

A sample is tested from the last donated pint which has to be within 30 days of when your residency is due.

I'm not sure why donors do not have to have an x ray, but at a guess it could be because donated blood has to go through stringent testing and the donated blood would probably be tested for TB, therefore a chest x ray would not be needed.

[IPMAN]

Blood donors are not exempt from the residency blood testing.

A sample is tested from the last donated pint which has to be within 30 days of when your residency is due.

I'm not sure why donors do not have to have an x ray, but at a guess it could be because donated blood has to go through stringent testing and the donated blood would probably be tested for TB, therefore a chest x ray would not be needed.

Ok then - why is it not the same for work permits? You could give blood the day before, and still have to have you blood tested! and pay for it!

[andrew4232]

its all part of the fun of being here you never know what to expect, and also why do people working in catering/food/bars have to do twice a year when the locals dont need it?

[puppylover]

IPMAN

I'll have to pass on that as I don't make the rules...I just follow them as a guest in a foreign country.

[Deniz1]

When I was getting a work permit not that long ago I was told as I would be working as a secretary I needed a blood test but if I was working as a teacher I wouldnt. ???????????????

[BLUE BUTTERFLY]

And why are students, [some of them from countries rife with AIDS,] not required to have a blood test?

[Philoz]

Blue Butterfly-I couldn't have put it better myself!
A retired couple from the UK that have been together for maybe 30yrs and are in their mid-fifties have to go through the humiliation of
an annual AIDS test ,yet a student from an AIDS ridden country in Africa doesn't.
Same applies to those that frequent the 'Night Clubs' here .
And before anyone starts on the 'You are guests in this country' line-well I just want to be treated, fairly,and equally,and most of all with a bit of respect and common sense.

[sophie]

Don't get me onto the subject of being a Guest in this Country. If you are a Guest at a party, a wedding, a funeral etc., it's because you have been INVITED. If you are a Guest at a hotel, then you paid good money to go there and you expect fairness and value for money. No-one invited me here, I came of my own volition. If you are a guest, then you should be treated with respect. Nuff said.

[Munchkin]

"TREATED, FAIRLY, AND EQUALLY, WITH A BIT OF RESPECT AND COMMON SENSE" WAKE UP PHILOZ YOU'RE HAVING A DREAM !

YOU WILL NOT GET THAT HERE WITH THE RELENTLESS GOVERNMENT LED (AND POSITIVELY ENCOURAGED) DISCRIMINATION AGAINST EX-PATS, IT’S ALL TAKE, TAKE, TAKE, GIVING NOTHING IN RETURN, IT’S ABOUT TIME THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THE MASSIVE CONTRIBUTION EX-PATS HAVE MADE TO THE T.R.N.C ECONOMY OVER MANY YEARS AND GIVE SOMETHING BACK! BEFORE THE T.R.N.C GOES DOWN IN FLAMES LIKE THE REST OF THE P.I.G.S (Portugal,Italy,Greece,Spain)

[andrew4232]

can we please stay on topic

[sophie]

Sorry A4232, it's the word GUEST that really rubs me up the wrong way.

[£eagle]

I crossed into the TRNC yesterday and was told by the immigration officer that as I was over 60 I did not need a tourist visa at all and that I could stay indefinitely! He then stamped my passport with a 90 day tourist visa. Weird.