Arriving in North Cyprus
When you first arrive in Northern Cyprus, you are issued with a
three-month tourist visa. Should you wish to stay longer, or have
bought a North Cyprus property during that time, you need to apply
for a temporary residence permit if you wish to stay longer than
3months a year.
Applying for a North Cyprus Residence Permit
Applications for a Northern Cyprus Residence Permit should be made
at your local Immigration Office, which is to be found inside your
local Police station. You will need to present your passport at this
stage, and you will be given an application form.
Next, you should approach your local councilors or ‘Muhtar’ in he
district you live in, to get a Resident’s Certificate. The Muhtar
will need to see:
• Documents proving your identity – a photocopy of your passport is
fine
• Proof of your address: this should be the deeds of your new
property in North Cyprus, OR a copy of your sales contract OR a
rental agreement
• Proof of a sustainable income for you and any dependents: this
might include bank statements, proof of pension payouts, etc
What happens next with your Northern Cyprus Residence Permit
The Muhtar will issue you with a Resident’s Certificate. Next, you
will need to undergo a medical examination at a designated clinic in
Nicosia, which includes a blood test for HIV and a chest x-ray. The
clinic will give you a receipt for the tests, which can cost up to
£150. The results of these tests usually arrive within three weeks –
you will need to collect them in person, but do NOT open the
envelope they are sealed in.
Once you have the Resident’s Certificate, and are waiting for the
medical test results, you can apply for your permit at the
Immigration Office:
To make an application, you will need to include:
• A written application form
• Documents proving your identity – a photocopy of your passport is
fine
• Proof of your address: this should be the deeds of your new
property in North Cyprus, OR a copy of your sales contract OR a
rental agreement
• Proof of a sustainable income for you and any dependents: this
might include bank statements, proof of pension payouts, etc
• At least four passport sized photographs
• The receipt from the clinic for the medical
When the test results are ready, collect them in person, but
remember not to open the envelope! The results should be given to
the Immigration Office in Nicosia. The police will then conduct
checks and the medical results will be scrutinized.
Issuing of a Northern Cyprus Residence Permit
Permits are issued by the Department of Immigration in Nicosia.
Their offices are near the main bus station in Nicosia. You will be
issued with a permit if all checks and tests are satisfactory, and
on production of your passport and a fee of up to £150 for your
first year’s permit. Thereafter a small fee will be charged for
renewal of your permit each year, and you will need to have the
medical test again each year.
Too much like hard work?
There are agencies that will help you get residence permits, by
guiding you through the application process, and doing some of the
tedious legwork for you. These agencies can also help with work
permits, driving licenses and the issues of importing personal
effects into Northern Cyprus.
Northern Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit
If you wish to live permanently in Northern Cyprus, you will need a
Permanent Residence Permit. You can only apply for a Permanent
Residence Permit once you have had three consecutive temporary
permits, (i.e. have stayed for at least three years previously) and
you are retired from work. The application for a Permanent Residence
Permit might take as long at two years. To apply for a Permanent
Residence Permit
You need to prove that:
• You own a property in Northern Cyprus
• You have proof of a regular, sustainable income
• You are retired
A sustainable income is considered to be approximately £6000 per
annum
