The Famous/Infamous White Card

[waddo]

We were told at Lefkosia immigration at the start of this month to watch the newspapers for the announcment about the above - which should happen either this month or next month!!!

Has anyone heard anything yet and if so what?

This is the mythical White Card that will - if applied for and issued - negate the need for some people to ever have to apply for a "Visitor" stamp again. Plus there are supposed to be other advantages attached to it, however, that is simply rumour at this time so I will not repeat them.

[IPMAN]

Do you mean white Kimlik? - this was supposed to happen a couple of years ago apparently - think it was 5 years residency or work permit to qualify - supposedly you do not have to apply for PTP, or residency work permit again! bit like permanent residency. never happened then!

[waddo]

Doubt it will happen now as well but we can live in hope!!

[tomsteel]

Maybe the 'expat' liaison team with the TRNC Government at the BRS might wish to enlighten us as to where this initiative has got to. I live in hope!

[waddo]

Well, in the May 3rd (2014) Star it was reported that it was the Making North Cyprus Better(MNCB) organisation that had moved on with further consultations involving the Task Force and the Prime Ministers Office on this issue - this following three years of campaigning much of it below the Radar. So don't hold your breath for the BRS to let you know anything unless it happens and they can claim the glory! At that time it was reported: "Proposals now include issuing a white card to permanent Residents which will entitle them to all benefits of Citizenship other than voting. The qualification details have yet to be finalised but will include 5 years Residency stamps plus income and investment in property and/or bank deposit qualification. It is currently proposed that after a short qualifying period, Medical tests for European Residents will be abolished. Different conditions will apply to work permits." That is what it said people so don't blame me if it has all changed (that would be a surprise) again!!!

As a poor pensioner who rents a property and has a very small deposit in the local bank - guess I will not be allowed to be part of the great "Skint" Cyprus citizenship anyway - lol.

[tomsteel]

Waddo, I have more faith/hope in the MNCB approach, but maybe, just maybe, the BRS will prove me wrong. Also from an OAP with a stealth mortgage imposed and no hope of Sercem sorting this out with Koop Bank.

[waddo]

tomsteel, me too! Heard from a friend of mine today and he has been told that he will receive his "new style" white card towards the end of next week!!! Now I cross my fingers ad wait - hope its not dependent upon the NO/YES vote - lol.

[Marions]

That story of MNCB was written in Kib Kom Times too, as we have great faith in that team, - but we all have to accept that TRNC Government timing is a bit like that of God Himself - often coming as a great surprise, unexpected and often holding much disappointments as expectations do not quite match reality. But as with God Himself, we must wait with patience.

Some of us are full of hope, and patience. Time will tell whether it was worth waiting and towing all the party lines ot be eligible. Not sure about a lot in the Bank thougth, so could be unacceptable.

We went to Australia on a visa that demanded certain financial criteria. We could not fulfuiill those now and so cannot return, so fingers and toes crossed that it is not as difficult here when the time comes.

But I do believe that MNCB speak only of that in which they have a degree of confidence.

And just asa little plug, KibKom Times will continue to write of any news (we get to hear) on this subject as it is so veryimportant to a lot of people.

[waddo]

Marions, I have the feeling that the "income and investment in property and/or bank deposit qualification" may well be an exercise it people proving that they actually support the TRNC and not one that means you are depositing large sums to make money out of the bank interest rates available - that actually does little to assist the TRNC. If you look at "normal" retired people who, let us say, have a joint income of £20K a year in pensions, then look at how many times they have left the country to spend this money elsewhere and how long they have been here. Add that to how much money they have actually spent in the TRNC in property purchase or rental you will come up with a sizeable figure that, year on year, assists the TRNC economy much more than the swallow or tourist?

For instance: Let us say, for the sake of argument, that you have been here for 8 years, that figure times £20K spent in the TRNC amounts to £160K and continues to grow at £20K per year, every year that you remain here. Make it easy for you to stay here by the issue of the White Card and you are supporting the TRNC and proving your commitment to remain here in that support.

I do realise that the above means that people in power would need to have figured this out for themselves but if you base the average income of the local population on the minimum wage of 1460TL - a little under £5K per year, then double that to £10K per year, the normal retired person will fall easily into that bracket! I give up on how many times I have been asked by locals why I have not got a Kimlik and then tried to explain why it is I can not have one - I have never met a true local who is not confused by the whole system!!

But like yourself, I have faith in the MNCB and will await the Government message about the issue of the card - that it will cost us each a months minimum wage to obtain I have no doubt, but that price is well worth the benefit it will bring in security and peace of mind alone. Now just waiting for the news!!

[PoshinDevon]

Interesting read, especially the last few posts. Not taking any offence but since we purchased our small place 3 years ago we have visited 9 times, staying for up to 3 weeks on each visit. Next great our plan is an extended stay of up to 5 or 6 months. Swallows we are, if that needs to classify us.

When we come out we spend in local shops and restaurants and employ local people to carry out any jobs or repairs. Maybe next year we will also invest money in local banks to take advantage of the better interest rates offered - which gives the banks the opportunity to use this money.

So I believe that in our own way we invest a fair amount of capital into the local economy. We read and watch with interest the ongoing developments re residency etc to try and understand wether for us it is worthwhile. Not of retirement age but do have pension income from a number of sources.

For next year we are saving hard for the extended visit and this money will go into the TRNC economy.
However we appreciate their are rules and regulations in any country and we will abide by them.

Guess what I am trying to say without raising hackles is that many of us swallows also invest a substantial amount of money into the TRNC given the percentage of time we are visiting. What I am certain of is that the TRNC needs all investment it can get wether that be from residents, temporary residents, swallows or tourists.

[Lottidotti]

When this 'White Card' subject reared its head a good few years ago 7 or 8 years I think,one of the criteria that the government were considering then was that 300K sterling would have to be deposited in a TRNC bank.
Whether you have that money or not I don't think many would trust the banking system here to look after that sort of money.
I would certainly invest it in the UK with an investment company which if invested properly should double in 10 years.
300K invested in the TRNC although would give you some 8% per annum but as inflation is running at about 10% you would be losing money especially over a 10 year period.

[waddo]

Posh, I was in no way pointing any fingers at "Swallows" nor was I saying that such visitors do not invest capital into the local economy. I was, perhaps badly, trying to differentiate between the groups of people who live here on a permanent basis and those who visit, no matter how regularly! Everyone who comes here contributes to the economy, that is without doubt. Not everyone who comes here wants to stay here for life! The Island, on a full time living basis, doe's not lend itself to European living - very hot and humid for some months of the year etc, lack of care for the aged (that will be me very soon) and many other considerations need taking into account.
However, there are still some who wish to buy their final "Plot" (No PTP or Kocan required) and live here towards the day they will own that small bit of land forever! I simply have a feeling that "Proof of income and investment" will take many forms and that in a country that is still scrabbling for existence a Kurus is still a Kurus!!!

The first I heard of the White Card was in 2003 but by now I think that everyone who threw the figures of £300K around will have their new cars and homes and be retired - perhaps sanity will replace the dream in the end!

[Lovelife]

Found this on the other online news paper, whilst it is not aimed at expats thought I would post for interest.

http://www.lgcnews.com/trnc-burdened-ma ... rants-erk/

LL

[BOERBOEL]

As Waddo says, in no way was he pointing fingers but have to agree with what he is saying. We also rent and don't have X amount in the bank and although we have just done our 8th residency (visitor) stamp we will probably be excluded if and when this so called White Card comes into effect. This of course is unfair but no doubt we will just have to do the Cyprus thing and shrug our shoulders and get on with it

[waddo]

Lovelife, interesting article but it is about citizenship which the White Card will not give to anybody. In fact the White Card will be a great help to the immigration dept and assist in reducing their workload. Don't forget that the new electronic scanners are due to come on line at all the crossing points and what a boon that would be to both parties if all that was required was a quick scan of a card instead of a long input of details? You never know what is in the mind of the Government - any Government - lol.

[Marions]

Thanks for all the interesting comments. It wa s interesting to read what was said about mainlanders not becoming citizen,s but I understand this to be because they need work. Citizenship requested by several Brits is because they have thrown their lot in here, and either have their own businesses, or are indendent. I5t seems the government is waiting to r4esolve the problem with the mainlanders before it is given to anyone else. Quite understand it, but although it has little to do with the White Card, it was in the planning stages alongside it. In other words,the question of who may live here with what visa etc. I thought they were working towards 5 years offers (potentially) a white card, and 10 years offers (potentially) citizenship. ~Seems not much progress has been made.

[Deniz1]

Why am I not surprised?

[waddo]

Marions, I can quite understand the "citizenship" part being put on hold - by whatever means - when you look at the state of the "Peace Talks" and how the USA has now taken an interest in the Island (Officially instead of under the counter, some would say) and wish's for a settlement to happen the sooner the better. If that happens in the next couple of years - Deniz1 will be surprised and not be alone - then the North will be part of the EU with all its full rights! That also means that EU citizens would have the same rights here as in any other EU country - http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/re ... dex_en.htm - not necessarily citizenship of course but equivilent to what the White Card proposals would give you now! So maybe, just maybe, the TRNC Government is looking ahead to the future and is actually one step ahead of the game??

[Owl Lady]

Came to Cyprus to get away from the EU and all the bureaucracy, also the possibility of the Euro!!! Can't bear the thought of that. Once Health and Safety get here, every thing will be closed down.

[waddo]

Health and Safety has been in the South since 2004, you would be hard put to spot it!!

[sophie]

Waddo, I have seen hi viz jackets, hard hats and safety boots been warn on some builders in Nicosia, not so long ago. I actually remarked on the fact that things appeared to be a'changing!!

[waddo]

Yep, and its only taken them 10 years to do it. The motorcyclists still prefer not to wear helmets mind you but guess that falls under another EU law. This is the Mediterranean and they tend to follow the EU laws that suit them, unlike the UK that turn a new page in the law book every day to see if they can make money out of it!! If the North join (fully) the EU today I think I will be long in my grave before it really effects me so I don't worry. As for the Euro - if the basic wage is 1500TL and suddenly the country goes to the Euro do you think they will be happy with 528 Euro's a month instead? It will be a long hard fight to get them away from the TL and I don't blame them one little bit.

[waddo]

Don't get too excited about the thread titled - Draft for White Card is published - it is about the new law regarding residency and not about the White Card!!!