As the nature of things is always about change these days, you won’t be surprised to learn that a big change has happened to those expats who are over the age of 60 and living in North Cyprus and that change is Temporary Residency!
Things are looking a little bit more positive with a brighter future perhaps on the horizon after the TRNC government announced a lifting of travel restrictions this week – just as the summer season begins! north cyprus summer 2021
Such a country as North Cyprus, so heavily reliant upon tourism as a huge part of its economy, this can only be seen as a good thing. To miss another season of summer visitors is pretty unthinkable for many people and businesses who rely totally on the summer season to see them through the winter months.
If you’ve retired or perhaps taken early retirement and moved to North Cyprus with no intention of working ever again, and you just want to spend your time relaxing, taking up a hobby and socialising, there’s something you need to do before you sit down by the pool with your feet up. You need to ensure that you have obtained permission to do so on a permanent basis in the form of a residency permit!
PLEASE NOTE – PROCESS CAN CHANGE FROM YEAR TO YEAR – please seek updated process information from local authorities.
When travelling to North Cyprus the majority of nationalities only need be concerned with having a current passport that has at least 6 months validity remaining. Citizens of all EU countries together with Australia, Canada, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland do not require a visa prior to travelling. Other nationalities should check with their local embassy office, or indeed visit the offices of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) if they happen to have a representative in your native country.
IN NORTH CYPRUS
Several nations’ embassies, high commissions or foreign missions are located in North Cyprus and they can help with varying issues such as passport renewals, birth certificates, legal advice and much more. Local Turkish Cypriots wishing to travel to the countries which are represented on the island are required to visit the relevant nation’s offices to obtain visas for their journey.
North Cyprus benefits from a modern and well-equipped police force that carries out various tasks apart from just crime fighting. The police force has traffic, immigration, drug and fraud divisions for example, and visitors to North Cyprus will be pleased to know that they are very quick to deal with any crime committed against tourists – although rest assured, such crimes are very infrequent.