"Moving to the Emirates is Cheaper": Why Obtaining Residency in Northern Cyprus Became Too Expensive?

As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage has increased in Northern Cyprus. For almost two months now, the minimum wage has been 27,587 Turkish Liras GROSS – i.e., before all taxes, and 24,000 Liras net.

Immediately after the wage increase in the country, a quite predictable process began – prices for all goods and services swiftly skyrocketed. Over the course of two months in Northern Cyprus, the prices of essential food products, water, gasoline, gas, as well as many tariffs and fees, have increased.

The sharp rise in prices has affected not only Turkish Cypriots who work and live in the country but also those who are in Northern Cyprus with residency or who plan to settle in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for an extended period.

Thus, with the increase in the minimum wage, the amount required to obtain or renew residency based on property ownership or high income has also increased, which is calculated based on the following formula: one Minimum Wage (GROSS) * 12 for property owners and 3 * Minimum Wage (GROSS) * 12 for high income for a family of up to 4 people. It is worth noting that the Minimum Wage (GROSS) currently stands at 27,587 liras.

Through simple mathematics, it turns out that to obtain (or renew) the coveted residency, one must have nearly 1 million Turkish Liras (993,132 TL, to be precise) in their account. This is approximately 32,000 dollars or almost 30,000 euros. Or almost three million rubles.

It is important to note that providing a statement from a foreign bank is only possible when obtaining residency for the first time. For subsequent renewals, you will be asked to deposit the required amount into a local bank. And during renewal, you will be asked to show the account activity as evidence of your solvency.

However, according to specialists who deal with document processing daily, it is not necessary to spend money from the deposit account. However, if you had to withdraw some amount, it must be replenished. Moreover, you cannot withdraw and replenish large sums, as the police may suspect that the money in your account was borrowed.

To be fair, it should be noted that in some cases, doubts are justified. It is no secret that previously many people used the services of so-called "assistants" who, for a certain fee, could "help financially" - deposit the necessary amount into the applicant's account, and after obtaining residency, the money was returned to the creditor. However, in the past six months, this "loop" has also been practically closed.

Most "assistants" refuse to participate in the scheme because the risk is quite high, and the guarantees of success of the whole operation are minimal: "too many refusals," former helpers claim.

• And how zealously they treat these statements is a separate conversation – yesterday's is no longer suitable, they made me take a duplicate on the same day, although it is clearly seen from the statement that I have had money in the accounts for more than a year, - complain Russians on a thematic forum.

Moreover, forums actively discuss that an announcement allegedly hangs on the Ministry of Interior website stating that the required amount is even higher - 12 Minimum Wages x 3 for property owners and 12 Minimum Wages x 5 for high income. However, from reliable sources, it is known that this formula is not yet being applied, and when applying for residency on the website, the old amount, which is still relevant, is displayed.

But even the old amount seems, to many Russians already living in Northern Cyprus or planning to come to the island in the near future, to be, to put it mildly, unreasonably high. With the catastrophic inflation, which, according to the most modest estimates of official statistics, left more than 83% last year, for many Russians, the question of further stay on the island becomes more than relevant.

• Right now, it's easier and cheaper to move to the Emirates than to Northern Cyprus," complained a Russian who has been living in Northern Cyprus for several years but ultimately decided to leave the island with his family for a while.

Many compatriots followed his example, leaving Northern Cyprus after the New Year. Many prefer Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam or Thailand, which are much more lenient in terms of visa policies.

"The border service of Northern Cyprus promotes tourism in Thailand and Vietnam and other countries," they joke on forums.

There are also those who have become so attached to the island that, after their visa expires, they continue to live here illegally – in violation of the visa regime. However, when such citizens attempt to leave the country, an unpleasant surprise awaits them. With the increase in the minimum wage, the fine for illegal stay in the country has increased - 1273.24 TL for each day of delay for each violator, including children.

However, depending on the total number of illegal days, it is possible to request a replacement of the entry ban into the country for several years.

Reference:

What other fees have increased in Northern Cyprus since the beginning of the year:

• Fees in the section "Citizenship, passport, visas, and related issues" increased on average by 65%. According to the document, the fee for obtaining TRNC citizenship increased from 2340 TL to 3860 TL. The fee for residency in TRNC has increased from 1750 TL to 2890 TL.

• The fee for "sending a request or recommendation to the competent authority of a foreign state for issuing or renewing a passport or other travel document or identity document, or for issuing a visa" has increased from 302 TL to 500 TL.

• The fee for "providing any document requested by a foreign competent authority for obtaining residency" has increased from 302 TL to 500 TL.

• The fee for preparing and issuing a document confirming Cypriot citizenship, or a citizenship certificate issued in exceptional circumstances, or any other document not specified in the passport replacement instructions, has increased from 585 TL to 965 TL.

• The fee for issuing a visa valid for up to one year by passport or other travel document has increased from 585 TL to 965 TL.

• The new fee for marriage registration is 1455 TL if the marriage is registered in the Civil Registry Office, and 2955 for those marrying elsewhere (except the Civil Registry Office).

• Certification of a marriage notification now costs 148 Turkish Lira, filing an objection notification - 143 Turkish Lira, obtaining a postponement notification certificate - 148 Turkish Lira, obtaining a marriage certificate or any of its copies - 148 Turkish Lira, and the fee for marriage registration in the register is 583 TL.

• Duty for marriage, birth, and death registration: From February 13, 2024, fees have been established for marriage, birth, and death registration. Accordingly, birth and death registration now cost 500 TL.

• The cost of services "Search for a record in the consular register of birth, death, or marriage" and "Issuance of a certified copy of the record in the consular register of birth, death, or marriage" is also 500 TL.

• The commission for those applying to take qualification exams, competitive exams, and foreign language exams is set at 180 TL.