What is a residence permit (ВНЖ) or permanent residency in Northern Cyprus?

Residence permit — is the right to long-term residence on the territory of Northern Cyprus.

The authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) issue permits for residence for **6, 12, and 24 months**. However, the immigration officer may grant a residence permit for a different duration than requested or may refuse altogether.

There are two ways to obtain a residence permit in Northern Cyprus:

1. Independently through the state online platform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, this process is quite labor-intensive, and even a minor mistake can lead to rejection;
2. Through the legal company Dejure — we have been handling this for over 10 years and offer professional assistance, making the process as fast and efficient as possible.

Residence permits in Northern Cyprus are issued under 17 different categories:

• Family for spouses
• Family for applicant's children
• Family for applicant's parents
• Based on property ownership
• High income
• Medical tourism
• Vocational training / internship
• Student exchange program
• Yachtsmen
• Judicial or administrative appointment
• Filming of artistic or documentary films
• Graduates of TRNC educational institutions
• Retirees
• For licensed athletes competing
• Integration of foreigners into the country's culture
• Family for partner of the applicant (cohabitant)
• Humanitarian permit

When applying for a residence permit independently, you will first need to determine the basis on which you are obtaining the residence permit. Let's consider the two most popular categories of residence permits:

• Based on high income 
• Based on own real estate

 

Obtaining a residence permit based on own housing

Previously, to obtain a residence permit based on your own housing, it was enough to have a purchase and sale agreement registered with the tax and land committee, now in addition to this you will need an application number for approval from the council of ministers to purchase real estate by a foreigner in Northern Cyprus.

Full list of documents for obtaining a residence permit based on own housing:

• Purchase and sale agreement
• Application number for purchase approval
• Copy of passport (main page)
• Copy of the page with the stamp of the last entry to the island
• Certificate from the muhtar (issued by the district muhtar based on the purchase and sale agreement)
• Photo 3 by 4
• Bank account statement*

If documents are submitted by the whole family, a notarially certified translation of the marriage certificate and children's passports will also be required.

*According to new laws, by the time of applying for a residence permit, you will need to have a minimum of 12 minimum wages of the TRNC on your deposit account. As of April 2024, this is about $11,000 (equivalent in euros, pounds or lira).

Our specialists are ready to take on all the hassle of collecting documents and registering a residence permit. With us, your move to Northern Cyprus will be comfortable and carefree.

 

Obtaining a residence permit based on high income

Many call this "residence permit by lease agreement". If you do not have your own real estate, then you will rent something anyway, but officially it is called "residence permit by high income". You must prove to the state that you are solvent and have sufficient income to live here. It differs from the previous basis by a three times larger amount on the account.

 

Full list of documents for obtaining a residence permit based on high income:

• Certified lease agreement in the tax office
• Copy of passport (main page)
• Copy of the page with the stamp of the last entry to the island
• Certificate from the muhtar (issued by the district muhtar based on the lease agreement)
• Photo 3 by 4
• Bank account statement*

If documents are submitted by the whole family, a notarially certified translation of the marriage certificate and children's passports will also be required.

*According to new laws, by the time of applying for a residence permit, you will need to have a minimum of 36 minimum wages of the TRNC on your deposit account. As of April 2024, this is about $33,000 (equivalent in euros, pounds or lira).

Recently, many people are getting refusals in obtaining and extending a residence permit because they do not know the laws and nuances of arranging the right to long-term stay on the island. But our specialists work for the result and are ready to take on all the hassle of collecting documents and registering a residence permit on any basis.