Foreign students in Northern Cyprus complain about a twofold increase in the cost of residence permit renewal

In Northern Cyprus, expenses for foreign students to renew their annual residence permits have sharply increased. According to students, the total amount of mandatory payments in 2025 reached 9,758 lira — almost double last year’s cost of about 5,000 lira.

According to receipts published by students, payments are distributed as follows: Ministry of Health — 8,704.34 TL, Department of Revenues and Taxes — 1,053.70 TL, totaling 9,758.04 TL. Young people note that this amount has become a serious financial burden. “Tuition and housing are already expensive, and now these mandatory fees as well. We simply can’t cope,” they say.

Meanwhile, official data from the Migration Department of the TRNC (Muhaceret Dairesi) indicate much smaller state fees. For student permits, the base rates remain unchanged:

• up to 6 months — 690 TL,
• from 6 to 12 months — 1,015 TL,
• from 12 to 24 months — 2,025 TL.

The difference apparently comes from additional mandatory expenses not included in the “migration fee” category itself. These include required medical examinations, tests, medical certificates, as well as bank fees and charges related to issuing electronic cards (e-kart). According to students, these payments — handled through the Ministry of Health — make up the bulk of the 2025 total, exceeding 8,700 lira.

Thus, the official government fee for renewing a student residence permit remains relatively low, but the actual total cost of the procedure — including all related payments — reaches nearly 10,000 lira. This has caused outrage among students and is being discussed by university councils.

Several student associations are already preparing appeals to government authorities, asking to review the payment structure, clearly distinguish between mandatory and additional charges, and consider lowering costs or providing discounts for students with limited financial means.

At the time of publication, no official statements had been received from the Ministry of Health or the Migration Department. However, university representatives note that the increase in overall student expenses has been a trend in recent years, driven by general price rises and indexation of administrative fees.

Until official clarification is issued, student communities are advised to keep all receipts and, if necessary, contact their university admissions offices for consultation.