Staying longer than 90 days?

Foreigners who stay in North Cyprus longer than their visa or visa exemption allows, or longer than 90 days, must get a residence permit. A work permit or permanent residence permit also counts as a residence permit.

A residence permit is issued for 60 days less than your passport's validity. If your passport expires soon, renew it first.

University students apply for a residence permit through the application on the Immigration Department's website. You must enter North Cyprus with a valid passport. Your university's international office will also guide you.

Your employer first gets a pre-approval. Within 15 days of your arrival the employer applies to the Labour Department, and the process is completed within 30 days. A work permit counts as a residence permit.

According to the Immigration Department's application page, you apply within 30 days of the start of your visa to the Immigration Office of the district police headquarters responsible for where you live.

A health report may be required. Fees are paid to the Tax Office and the receipt is added to the application.

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Lala Mustafa Paşa · Gazimağusa · 📷 A.Savin · FAL

Residence & work permits

Application steps and required documents

Which town are you in right now?

South Cyprus · Coming soon

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Rules can change often. This page is for guidance only; confirm the current requirements with the Immigration Department before applying.

What should I do?

Pick your situation and tick the steps in order. Your ticks are remembered on this phone.

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Your arrival date

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1. Make sure your employer has the pre-approvalBefore you come on a work permit, your employer must obtain a pre-approval for you. Ask for a copy and keep it.
2. Check your passport's validityPermits are issued for 60 days less than your passport's validity. Renew your passport if it expires soon.
3. First 15 days: your employer must applyWithin 15 days of your arrival, your employer applies to the Labour Department, and the process is completed within 30 days. Put the dates above in your calendar and remind your employer.
4. Be ready for a health reportA health report may be required during the process. Ask your employer where to get it.
State hospitals →
5. Make sure you are insuredAsk your employer whether you have been registered with Social Insurance; if in doubt, call the Social Insurance branch in your town.
Social Insurance branch →
6. Keep your permit once issuedA work permit also counts as a residence permit; you don't need a separate one. Note the expiry date and talk to your employer about renewal in time.
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1
Staying longer than 90 days?
Foreigners who stay in North Cyprus longer than their visa or visa exemption allows, or longer than 90 days, must get a residence permit. A work permit or permanent residence permit also counts as a residence permit.
2
Check your passport
A residence permit is issued for 60 days less than your passport's validity. If your passport expires soon, renew it first.
3
If you are a student
University students apply for a residence permit through the application on the Immigration Department's website. You must enter North Cyprus with a valid passport. Your university's international office will also guide you.
4
If you will work
Your employer first gets a pre-approval. Within 15 days of your arrival the employer applies to the Labour Department, and the process is completed within 30 days. A work permit counts as a residence permit.
5
Other cases
According to the Immigration Department's application page, you apply within 30 days of the start of your visa to the Immigration Office of the district police headquarters responsible for where you live.
6
Documents and fees
A health report may be required. Fees are paid to the Tax Office and the receipt is added to the application.