Residency
🪪How to Obtain Residency in North Cyprus: A Step-by-Step Guide to Easy Online Applications
If you’ve fallen in love with the Mediterranean lifestyle, stunning beaches, and welcoming community of North Cyprus, you might be considering making it your second home. The good news? Obtaining residency in North Cyprus is far easier than in many other countries – especially with the convenience of online processing. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process, highlight the benefits, and show you why North Cyprus is one of the easiest places to secure residency.
There is no automatic right to reside and work in the TRNC for EU citizens. If you want stay in TRNC longer than the period of a tourist visa, you have to get a residency permit. Typically you enter TRNC on a 30 day tourist visa, so you MUST apply for a residence permit BEFORE this 30 days expires otherwise you will be suibject to fines and it may jeopardise your residency application.
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🌞Why Choose North Cyprus for Residency?
📌 Relaxed Lifestyle – Enjoy year-round sunshine, fresh cuisine, and a friendly expat community.
📌 Affordable Living – From property to healthcare, daily life costs significantly less than most European countries.
📌 Safe & Welcoming – North Cyprus has a reputation for safety, making it ideal for families, retirees, and investors.
📌 Strategic Location – Just a short flight from the UK, Turkey, and the Middle East.
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👥Who Can Apply for Residency in Northern Cyprus?
Residency in North Cyprus is open to:
👉 Property Owners – If you own property, you can apply easily.
👉 Renters – A tenancy agreement also qualifies.
👉 Retirees & Long-Stay Visitors – Perfect if you want to enjoy the relaxed pace of life for longer.
👉 Families – Spouses and children can be included in the application.
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📝Residency in North Cyprus: Step-by-Step
👍The residency process in North Cyprus is designed to be straightforward and stress-free. Whether you’re retiring, investing, or simply planning to stay longer than a tourist visa allows, the steps are clear and easy to follow.
🌐The first port of call is the government website https://permissions.gov.ct.tr/staypermit? where you will enter the following:
• Personal Information
• Visa Category
• Additional Information
• Document Upload
👮The system will then allocate you an appointment at your local police station where you will need to take the following documents:
📝 Passport original and photocopy.
📝 If you have the title deeds to property in your name, the title deeds (original) and photocopy.
📝 If you have purchased a property under Contract of Sale, but have not yet received the title deeds to the property, the Contract of Sale (original) and photocopy + Counsel of Ministers Application .
📝 If you are living in rented accommodation, the Tenancy Agreement (original) and photocopy.
📝 A letter (Ikametgah Belgesi) from your local village chief (Mukhtar) to say you reside in his village. You usually find your Mukhtar in the centre of the village where you live, near to the local municipality (Belediye) building or the post office.
📝 Bank documents showing you can support yourself in the TRNC without working.
📝 2 passport photos.
📝 Stamps . The amount required is constantly changing, so take spares in case more are required.
📝 Existing Residency Certificate if applicable.
📝 Children's pasport or Birth certificate (except turkish citizens) if applicable.
🩺After you've visited the police, the system will then refer you to the Lefkosa State Hospital, or a licensed clinic, for a health test. The test will check for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and TB. The clinic will forward the report to Immigration usually within 15 days.
💲Assuming the health report is okay, the system will then ask you to make online payment to the Tax Office.
🪪 Immigration will then provide your Residency Permit online which you can download.
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🙌Benefits of Online Residency Applications
✅ Convenience – No standing in long queues or dealing with confusing forms.
✅ Faster Turnaround – Digital applications are processed more quickly.
✅ Transparency – You can track your application status at every stage.
✅ Peace of Mind – Professional support is available to help you at each step.
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👌Why Residency in North Cyprus Is Easier Than You Think
Compared to other Mediterranean destinations, residency in Northern Cyprus stands out for its straightforward system. With online processing, clear guidelines, and minimal red tape, many expats are surprised by just how stress-free the process is.
Whether you’re relocating for retirement, lifestyle, or investment, securing your residency is one of the simplest steps in your journey to life in the sun.
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➕Additional Information
📍A residency permit only entitles you to live in the TRNC, not work or set up a business. It’s initially valid for 1 year unless you are aged over 60 in which case you can get a 5 year residency.
📍Children under the age of 18 don’t require residency permits so families moving to TRNC only need apply for residency for the adult members of the family.
📍Non-citizens who give birth to a child in TRNC - You need to notify your embassy or consulate of the birth. Once this has been done and a letter to this effect has been obtained from the embassy or consulate, you apply to the District Office (Kaymakamlik) in the area in which you live, to register the child’s birth.
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🌸Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a country that combines natural beauty, affordable living, and an easy residency process, North Cyprus should be at the top of your list. With the ability to handle much of the process online, you’ll find that making North Cyprus your new home is not just possible—it’s refreshingly simple.
👉 Ready to start your application? Begin today and experience for yourself just how straightforward residency in North Cyprus can be.