Life in the TRNC for Foreigners – KKTC Enformasyon Dairesi

Visa regulations for traveling to the TRNC change according to the foreigners’ country.

A valid TR passport or identity card is required. The TRNC Immigration Police Officers at the ports of entry to the TRNC are authorized for permitting the entry and stay if the responses to his/her questions are satisfactory.

A valid EU passport or national identity card is required. The TRNC Immigration Police Officers at the ports of entry to the TRNC are authorized for permitting the entry and stay if the responses to his/her questions are satisfactory.

A valid passport which belongs to his/her country is required. TRNC Immigration Police Officers at the ports of entry to the TRNC are authorized for permitting the entry and stay if the responses to his/her questions are satisfactory.

The nationals of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Armenia are under obligation to apply in person to a TRNC Representative Office abroad to obtain a visa prior to traveling.

A valid passport
£85 (Sterling Pounds) or equivalent per day the visitor intends to stay
Round trip ticket
Proof of confirmed hotel reservation
For visiting family or friends, a letter of invitation which provides name, address, phone number and other contact information in full
If traveling for higher education, an official acceptance letter from the university
If traveling on a business trip, an official letter of invitation from a company in the TRNC
NOTE: The TRNC Immigration Police Officer at the ports of entry is authorized to issue a maximum of 90 days permit to enter and stay if the responses to his/her questions are satisfactory. The visitors who intend to stay longer than the permitted period should apply before the visa expiry date to the Immigration Department of the Police Headquarters for an extension. Visitors who stay longer than the expiry date without an extension of stay will be given a notice of “visa penalty” fine at the port of departure. The fine will be paid by the visitor at the re-entry to the TRNC.

Visa regulations which are applied for entering from other ports is also valid for entry from South Cyprus.

Those who want to bring non-commercial livestock animals with them to the TRNC click here

The employer has to apply to the Interior and Labour Ministry and have preliminary permission in the name of the employee before arriving in the TRNC. The employer can apply for preliminary permission in case the employee is overseas.

Foreigners who entered the TRNC without the permission of the Ministry cannot be employed anywhere and cannot apply for a work permit.

Foreigners should apply to the District Police Directorate where he/she is residing for obtaining a visitor (residence) permit.

Foreigners who have work and residence permits have education opportunities for their children of all ages. Students who came from overseas state or private schools, can be transferred to similar state or private schools in the TRNC. For this reason their parents should submit their work and residence permits or official duty licences.

Foreigners who have work permits and their dependent partners or children can benefit from the healthcare system in the TRNC according to the “Health Institutions Wage Scale Regulations” by paying the fee determined for the insured employees.

Foreign people can buy immovable property within the borders of the TRNC by applying to the Ministry of Interior and receiving approval from the Council of Ministers.

Foreigners can use their motor vehicles for traveling in the TRNC with the condition of having a valid passport and having the vehicle registered in their name.

Foreigners who come to Cyprus as a tourist, can use their motor vehicles with their valid driving licence which is approved by the TRNC Immigration Police Officer at the port of entry when they entered the TRNC.

However, the people who enter the TRNC other than tourism (with the aim of working, education etc.) have to apply to the TRNC authorities to get a TRNC driving licence by presenting their own driving licence.