90 days maximum stay???

[Ailsa]

90 day maximum stay - does that apply to over 60's????? My friend is staying in Cyprus and hasn't been over the border to get his passport stamped and he has been there for over 20 weeks. Any information would be appreciated, so that I can let him know. Thanks!

[TRNCVaughan]

I have a friend who wants to stay here all summer (6 months).
Will he be able to get a second 90-day stamp at the time?

[stellasstar1]

People always seem reluctant to reply to these questions, if they are over 60, have been South and don't have residency. What is said when you leave and is your passport stamped and what is said when you come back.? Be nice to hear from some people that have done it.

[Erkin]

The Maximum stay in the TRNC is 90 days from the date of arrival, irrespective of age. You then have a right to apply to the Immigration police in Local area but better to go directly to Nicosia police Hq and get an extension for a further 90 days and pay them the fee,not sure of how much now as the fee's went up last week.

or 2nd alternative is cross to the south and return back, but the Border Immigration can give you anything between 7-90 days so it is more risky. Unless you can charm your way and tell them that you want 90 days as a tourist.

If you can show that you have a place to stay and cash to support yourself they will go for that.

[Ailsa]

Thanks Stella, there have been over 100 views but no one seems to either know the answer to my question, or, as you have said, may be reluctant to reply!!! So I will keep looking to see if someone in the know can help me with a definitive answer!!!!!! Thanks Erkin for your reply. So it's not looking very good for my friend!!!!! At the moment he has been in Cyprus for about 130 days!!!!!

[Ailsa]

So maybe the best thing for him to do would be to go to the South and try that!!!! Seems to be the only thing he can do!?

[Jonnie]

You could try that first, if you have overstayed you may get fined at which point you could decide to go to immigration police and try for leniency! The fines are minimum wage per day I think, if that helps.

[stellasstar1]

Just put a long reply on and it never made it for some reason. Anyway, briefly, according to the BRS website if you are over 60 you do not need residency, so Ailsa read that and see what you think. If your friend is over 60, it shouldn't be a problem, they only recommend doing residency for the over 60 's because it could change at any time, and then it would be a hassle starting the whole procedure again.

[Mollie the cat]

I did not renew my residency last October, I am over 60. I did have residency but chose not to renew. I have since been South numerous times, and in and out of the country with no problem. I just get the 90 day visa. Despite having residency the past 8yrs, the officers at the crossing don't bat an eye lid.

I really don't see any advantage in having residency, I am never in the country more than 90 days, yes we do live here not in the UK.

People have said there may be an issue when it comes to renewing your driving licence however, as I understand it you only need a mukthars letter.

[Ailsa]

Thanks Mollie, so the 90 day thing will not apply to him then? I will ask one of my friends in Lapta who used to be on the BRS thing to see what she says. Your reply is much appreciated.

[ozankoys]

I believe they do not fine you if you are over 60 but it probably depends how they feel on the day. We also did not renew our residencies last time but we go South frequently & always receive another 90 days.

[Groucho]

I believe they do not fine you if you are over 60 but it probably depends how they feel on the day. We also did not renew our residencies last time but we go South frequently & always receive another 90 days.

And therein lies the rub...

It's not enshrined in law and so it's open to interpretation. However one thing I'm pretty sure of.... if you have an accident and it transpires that you have outstayed the official period without applying for residency then the police will regard the accident as your fault.... Especially if it's a local you are up against. So you pays your money and you takes your pick.

[kaiserphil]

I believe they do not fine you if you are over 60 but it probably depends how they feel on the day. We also did not renew our residencies last time but we go South frequently & always receive another 90 days.

And therein lies the rub...

It's not enshrined in law and so it's open to interpretation. However one thing I'm pretty sure of.... if you have an accident and it transpires that you have outstayed the official period without applying for residency then the police will regard the accident as your fault.... Especially if it's a local you are up against. So you pays your money and you takes your pick.

And that is why people are reluctant to answer questions on this sort of subject.

[elkiton]

My understanding is, and always welcome to any comments re where this might be wrong, based on experiences of people known to me is:-

a) There is an unwritten acceptance legitimised by govt spokesperson statements that over 60's can stay indefinitely without official yearly temporary residency.
However, the Visa position is that you will need contiguous 90 day visas as these have not been waived.
b) If you are under 60, and stay here for "more than a holiday time period", as many do, then you are at risk for not having temp residency when the powers that be decide to have a purge.
Knowing a couple of people in this position from experience the fines are punitive, ie heavy.

I am over 60, and at the moment have a temp res just for safety.

[Groucho]

I believe they do not fine you if you are over 60 but it probably depends how they feel on the day. We also did not renew our residencies last time but we go South frequently & always receive another 90 days.

And therein lies the rub...

It's not enshrined in law and so it's open to interpretation. However one thing I'm pretty sure of.... if you have an accident and it transpires that you have outstayed the official period without applying for residency then the police will regard the accident as your fault.... Especially if it's a local you are up against. So you pays your money and you takes your pick.

And that is why people are reluctant to answer questions on this sort of subject.

It's because if you advise someone not to bother making their position 100% safe and it all goes wrong - they (some would say - quite naturally ) blame you...

Of course there are loads of people who take the chance and all is fine - until it's not.. When things go wrong then all of a sudden the police take a hard line... based on the letter of the law and don't give two hoots for the interpretation of politicians that excuse the over 60's from going through the proper channels.. I just wish the TRNC Govt. would have the courage to make the necessary changes and ratify the easement situation so that everyone knows where they stand. As I say, as it stands if can't rely on it then it's not worth taking the risk - and for what - money? Convenience?

[Ailsa]

Thanks for all your helpful replies!!!! I think that the sooner he gets it sorted the better!!!! It could be a big fine!!!Tomorrow he will have been in N. Cyprus for 133 days without getting his passport restamped!!!! So I will give him a bell tomos and get him to arrange for someone to take him over the border ASAP.!!!!! Would it help or not if a policeman took him over??!! By the way my friend does not drive so hopefully any accident will not be down to him!!!!! I will wait and see what happens. Thanks again everyone!xx

[Ailsa]

Good news!!!!!! My friend went over the border today and although he was about 130 days over the " permitted" 90 day stay it turned out O.K. He had his passport stamped with another 90 days and no questions asked!!!!! Whether this was because he is over 60 it made a difference we don't know!!!! But I guess it's as someone else said on this topic, it just depends on how the border people are feeling on a particular day!!!! So huge relief all round!!!!!!

[caz11]

we are both over 60 and did not renew our residency last year. have been south today, both times at passport booth said "run out"

just said "over 60" and stamped paper and off we went.

[Ailsa]

Good news cas!!!! So maybe it must make a difference if we are over 60!!!!! At least some benefits for being a wee bit older!!!!!!

[Ailsa]

Sorry, I should have said caz!!!!! God!!!! Maybe I'm dyslexic as well as being over 60!!!!!!!

[Belfast Belle]

we are both over 60 and did not renew our residency last year. have been south today, both times at passport booth said "run out"

just said "over 60" and stamped paper and off we went.

So are you saying then caz11 that if you are 60 + you can come into North Cyprus, do not do Residency + have indefinite leave to remain.

Just an observation.

[caz11]

we did our residency for 5 years but did not do it this year. our driving licence is up in april, will have to wait and see what happens when we take in a muktahs letter.

[Deniz1]

I am still undecided whether to renew mine or not. I normally get two years but seeing the price increase I am dithering. I hardly ever go to the greek side or anywhere else for that matter. i have 2yrs left on my driving license.

[stellasstar1]

I'm in the same position as you Deniz1, mine is due for renewal this April - should I or shouldn 't I and driving licence in 2 years

[Bonnie]

We were both over 60 when we moved out here in 2009. It seems we should never have needed to apply for residency but we were unaware of that.
This year with all the publicity the over sixty residency has received we dithered & dithered.
Like you Deniz1 we rarely go South & may or may not return to the Uk once within a year, therefore we wouldn't be getting any relevant stamps in our passports
Eventually we decided to err on the side of caution and trotted off to get our residency for another year. No one at the residency office mentioned that it wasn't necessary, well they wouldn't would they.
I know it's gone up again & there are many other ways I would have preferred to spend the money but what price for peace of mind and sense of security in this lovely but odd country where they rewrite the rule book whenever they feel inclined.

[Deniz1]

I know Bonnie thats why I am dithering.

[Owl Lady]

I am going to continue to do it until I get a stamp in my passport saying PERMANENT! I love the country, but don't trust any government, not to change the rules over night.

[elizabeth]

I am going to continue to do it until I get a stamp in my passport saying PERMANENT! I love the country, but don't trust any government, not to change the rules over night.

I think that shows that you are a very wise Owl.

[chrisandsue]

Our experience, for whats its worth!
Chris lost his passport last year and had to wait for a replacement, which took eight weeks. The first time we crossed the border the immigration officer asked why he didnt have a stamp, his reply " I'm over sixty and don't need residency they stamped his passport (paper). On the way back over, they asked again and he gave them the same answer. The passport was taken away to the supervisor and then they just stamped it as normal.

The officer on the desk did check, but It was all ok.

Hope this helps!

Sue

[cyprusishome]

Picking up on the theme of "90 days" for under 60's.

It has usually been the case that if you did not have residency you just went south and got another 90 visa, not any more. Two friends have similar experience, first got 90 days on return from UK, went south and got 90 day renewal, next time they were questioned as to their intent to stay and if they are staying here to get residency and given 30 days. When 30 days were up they only got 7 days and told to sort out residency. The second friend is now on the same route of decreasing visa length.

This method of renewing 90 day visa has had tacit approval for the years we have been here and people chose not to get residency because of that. So is there a change in attitude to "visa tourists"? As with not getting residency over 60, the only law on the books as I understand it, is that if you are staying here for more than 90 days then you must apply for residency,

[Ailsa]

So maybe my friend only got his stamp after exceeding the 90 days because he is over 60?

[dippersgirl]

When we renewed ours last year, the man actually volunteered the comment:'You know you don't need this!' then he said 'But do it, if it makes you sleep easier at night.' We are dizzering now, yes-no-yes-no. We've got until June. Aren't there election then? Will that make a difference???
Who knows??

[elkiton]

I think that as an over 60 you are safe if you have contiguous 90 visas in your passport (white paper slip). Nowhere have I seen it written that your visa is waived if you are over 60.
This year, as a retired but working musician, over 60, and gigging just in the summer season only I will shortly be applying for the 6 month work permit, and testing the water with 2 x 90 day contiguous visas for the off season Oct - March..... so come back to this thread at Xmas to see if it went ok.!

[Ailsa]

What's a white paper slip??? I've never had one. I just get a stamp in my passport.

[Mollie the cat]

When you come through any of the crossings you will see a pile of white slips in the booths. If you complete the form it saves having lots of stamps in your passport. The information on the form is minimal, passport number, nationality and name, think that's all. Keep the form with your passport you can use it until its full of stamps, then simply grab another form. Useful if you make many trips out of the TRNC.

[elkiton]

Agreed Mollie, if you are traveling South frequently you could fill your passport pages up with stamps, we kept several of the white-slips that were full up over the years and yes it would have used up several passport pages, not too clever if you work in the south daily and also travel abroad (from the North!) a lot.

[Ailsa]

Thanks Mollie and Ekitron!!!!!!