Chaos at the Police station (residency)

[PoshinDevon]

I am sure that some of the reasons for being turned away at the Polis station will be down to not understanding fully what paperwork is required depending on what category you apply for residency.

However; clearly there seems to be a case for a notice displayed outside the Polis appointment area which details exactly what paperwork is required. The requirements can be confusing for many and being arbitrarily asked to produce paperwork just adds to the confusion. The Polis should be following the rules not interpreting them as they see fit.

The system especially for appointments in the Girne area is failing. Nine months from applying to getting the Polis appointment is now unacceptable. Many will need to leave for various reasons before this. For those who are elderly, possibly infirm and not IT literate it can be very stressfu. Also if it’s leaving due to a family emergency when time is of the essence. Running around gathering paperwork and trying to get to the front of the queue to get the Polis to authorise your leaving is an awful position to be in.

I am sure it’s not easy for those trying to process the applications, however in its current form the system isn’t helping them.

I can understand why some would employ agents to do the job for them but if I had been waiting for hours and these people pushed to the front, there would be words said. I am sure the relevant ex pat organisations are doing all they can as volunteers, however I cannot help feeling that their voice isn’t being heard.

The majority of us understand the reasons for and want to comply with the rules but at expat meetings this is the only topic being discussed. I cannot understand how anyone can defend the current system/process so we can only hope that things change/improve.

[kerry 6138]

It would help if when the rules change, the immigration website was updated to reflect the changes.

[ginge]

I am sure that some of the reasons for being turned away at the Polis station will be down to not understanding fully what paperwork is required depending on what category you apply for residency.

However; clearly there seems to be a case for a notice displayed outside the Polis appointment area which details exactly what paperwork is required. The requirements can be confusing for many and being arbitrarily asked to produce paperwork just adds to the confusion. The Polis should be following the rules not interpreting them as they see fit.

The system especially for appointments in the Girne area is failing. Nine months from applying to getting the Polis appointment is now unacceptable. Many will need to leave for various reasons before this. For those who are elderly, possibly infirm and not IT literate it can be very stressfu. Also if it’s leaving due to a family emergency when time is of the essence. Running around gathering paperwork and trying to get to the front of the queue to get the Polis to authorise your leaving is an awful position to be in.

I am sure it’s not easy for those trying to process the applications, however in its current form the system isn’t helping them.

I can understand why some would employ agents to do the job for them but if I had been waiting for hours and these people pushed to the front, there would be words said. I am sure the relevant ex pat organisations are doing all they can as volunteers, however I cannot help feeling that their voice isn’t being heard.

The majority of us understand the reasons for and want to comply with the rules but at expat meetings this is the only topic being discussed. I cannot understand how anyone can defend the current system/process so we can only hope that things change/improve.

See post 24 on this thread Posh.

The biggest issue facing British residents at the moment is residency so surely the British Residents Society should be taking a lead.

If the govt is ignoring them they could still arrange workshops to help people with their applications.

[poppy++1]

Ginge you should read Residency and BRS on this forum

[PoshinDevon]

I am sure that some of the reasons for being turned away at the Polis station will be down to not understanding fully what paperwork is required depending on what category you apply for residency.

However; clearly there seems to be a case for a notice displayed outside the Polis appointment area which details exactly what paperwork is required. The requirements can be confusing for many and being arbitrarily asked to produce paperwork just adds to the confusion. The Polis should be following the rules not interpreting them as they see fit.

The system especially for appointments in the Girne area is failing. Nine months from applying to getting the Polis appointment is now unacceptable. Many will need to leave for various reasons before this. For those who are elderly, possibly infirm and not IT literate it can be very stressfu. Also if it’s leaving due to a family emergency when time is of the essence. Running around gathering paperwork and trying to get to the front of the queue to get the Polis to authorise your leaving is an awful position to be in.

I am sure it’s not easy for those trying to process the applications, however in its current form the system isn’t helping them.

I can understand why some would employ agents to do the job for them but if I had been waiting for hours and these people pushed to the front, there would be words said. I am sure the relevant ex pat organisations are doing all they can as volunteers, however I cannot help feeling that their voice isn’t being heard.

The majority of us understand the reasons for and want to comply with the rules but at expat meetings this is the only topic being discussed. I cannot understand how anyone can defend the current system/process so we can only hope that things change/improve.

See post 24 on this thread Posh.

The biggest issue facing British residents at the moment is residency so surely the British Residents Society should be taking a lead.

If the govt is ignoring them they could still arrange workshops to help people with their applications.

Residency affects all expats whatever country you may originate from.

The ex pat organisations that I am aware of all offer support and help with applications. However; it is the process and systems in place that are overwhelmed (Especially those applying from the Girne area). As a result the staff having to manage the applications are under tremendous pressure. Until the process is reviewed and action taken to resolve the problems the lengthy time taken for residency will continue. Of course this then causes concern and frustration for all.

I am not a BRS member so cannot comment on what support the BRS may or may not offer. The expat organisations in the TRNC are all run by volunteers. I have no doubt they are doing there best on behalf of their members.

Hopefully things will improve.

[tutor4u]

TFR - The Foreign Residents in the TRNC

TFR Delegation at the Ministry of Interior
Last Friday a delegation of TFR visited the Ministry of Interior in Lefkosa to discuss (again) the huge problems foreigners are facing with the residency application process and the recent changes to the taxes re. buying a property in TRNC.
Participants: Serdar Denktas (well known politician and organizer of the meeting).
TFR members: Sandra Kilic (as a representative of the realtor sector), Laura Özkerimler (as a business woman and specialist dealing with residency cases on a daily basis), Simge Serdahoğulları (as a representative of Resolute Tracking Office), Naomi Mehmet (well known solicitor in Girne, specialized in property issues), Horst Gutowski (in his function as Chairman of TFR), Naci Kaya (in his function as a TRNC notary) and humble me (TFR Information & Internet Manager)...
In the nearly 2 meeting hours all relevant points had been brought onto the table... as a result a report will be created by the Ministry and a follow-up meeting will be arranged with the responsible functionaries to find solutions as quick as possible...

[Mollie the cat]

Thanks for that update, lets hope something good comes out of it, it cannot go on like it is its ludicrous. People we have known here for years are leaving the Island in droves, as we are now thinking of doing.

[alphamike]

Thank you tutor4u. I really hope that things do get sorted out. As Mollie said, there are so many people leaving now that have been here for years. I am getting very disillusioned also and thinking of moving on. I'd rather stay here, but the older I get, the less inclined and able I am, to have to jump through all the hoops.

[poppy++1]

Well done The Foreign Residents, lets hope they can get something sorted out to the fiasco hitting us all.

[RAZR63]

So many people are getting stressed over this and rightly so. They are playing russian roulette with the expat community. Why o why we cannot just have a definitive list of what is required to complete residency is beyond belief. There are people making money out of this because it is so confusing and complicated which does not sit well with me. Let's hope that we can all get the right information quickly and freely to the people that need it.

[poppy++1]

Whilst we are now aware there are meeting etc going on. Perhaps if BRS, The Foreign Residents and Anglo Turkish Turkish society’s all got together, as case of 3 heads better than one, between them they might come up with a workable solution that could be put to the ministry, and do away with the chaos at the moment. Girne is being swamped with renewal’s, where it appears smaller areas are flying through.

[PoshinDevon]

Whilst we are now aware there are meeting etc going on. Perhaps if BRS, The Foreign Residents and Anglo Turkish Turkish society’s all got together, as case of 3 heads better than one, between them they might come up with a workable solution that could be put to the ministry, and do away with the chaos at the moment. Girne is being swamped with renewal’s, where it appears smaller areas are flying through.

I think I am correct in saying that the 3 expat organisations mentioned have attended meetings together with officials from thenTRNC government to raise concerns and put forward ideas. Unfortunately it appears that the minister they met then changes roles and hence the concerns are not actioned.

The process and systems in place do require a complete overhaul in order to better manage the applications. Reallocating the attendance at a Polis station to balance out demand is one quick win. I am sure the majority would be happy to travel to make this work. Making the process fully “ on line” rather than still having to present reams of paperwork. Only those applying for first time residency attend Polis station. Renewals do not. Attend the Polis station at the end of the process once paperwork uploaded, checked, health checks if required completed, payments made and authorisation for residency granted. Before permit issued the Polis check identity against the application number and press the button to allow your residency document to be printed. Granting more than 2 years residency with annual payments being made each year to account for increases …….payment not made within 30 days results in residency cancelled. Once the application has been started and registered on the system there should be no need to have to run around with masses of paperwork should anyone have a need to travel, especially for emergencies or at short notice. Your details are logged. It is stressful enough having to leave for a family emergency without the added worry of trying to go to the Polis station to try and get paperwork authorised before doing so. If it was a holiday period or over a weekend this is not possible.

I am sure it’s not that simple a solution and we must understand that as well as affecting all those applying for residency, it also puts tremendous pressure on those trying to administer and process applications. Plus of course the representatives of the ex pat organisations are volunteers doing their best.

Let’s hope it improves soon.

[waz-24-7]

OMG..it complicated for sure.
I suspect these type of complications, issues and perhaps obstacles are experienced by Ex pats the world over. Unless of course you're a mega wealthy investor or lobbyist.
I think , in TRNC, there is a clear lack of interest and or desire to support, encourage or attract foreigners to reside in TRNC. Students are possibly an exception as they support an investment strategy; namely education. Education, particularly the numerous universities , bring a level of respectability to a region essentially devoid of a normal functioning economy.

[snd1966]

The system seems very broken at the moment, apply for renewal 21 days before expiry, 8 months time police appointment. Under 60's apply for a year it seems they do not have the real benefits of temporary residency, free movement on the island, unless they take their plane tickets to the police station to be fastracked. I see Serdar Denktaş has been mentioned but not sure of his position within the residency procedure. I understand as a politician he has a better access to government officials and his father encouraged people to settle here.

[JoandJelly]

Under 60's apply for a year it seems they do not have the real benefits of temporary residency, free movement on the island, unless they take their plane tickets to the police station to be fastracked.

We are under 60 and on our 2nd lot of 2 year residency. Mind you we have been doing it since 2007

[snd1966]

We are under 60 and on our 2nd lot of 2 year residency. Mind you we have been doing it since 2007

Wow, pleased for you but know plenty that don't but some that do! Like now it's a case of what's happens on the day.
Even with my beyaz kimlik my husband was only allowed one year even when 60 in.that year, had residency stamps since 2004 and I was covered for 22 months of that period.

[solic200]

Can anyone remember when we had to go to Lefkosia to get our residency in an old building in a car park where you climbed the stairs. The office opened around 9 but you had to be there hours earlier some even slept in their cars overnight.
I left the trnc 7 yrs ago after living there for 17yrs & it’s the best move I have ever made. The residency procedure & attitude towards us Brits was rapidly going down the pan then so I can only imagine what it is like now.
In 1999 it was paradise on earth & local Cypriots had basic living needs but now it’s run & owned by mainland Turks & the local Cypriots are all rich after selling their lands or becoming builders & moved on

[Mollie the cat]

Remember that well, it was a real pain but at least you got sorted the same day, it was half a day you never got back in your life but compared to now it was heaven. Its truly appalling whats going on in the TRNC at present.

Would you mind sharing when you moved to?

[amelia]

Yes, remember those days. Up at 5am. Queuing on the stairs, nowhere to sit, in the heat of July, Then waiting for the staff to finish reading the paper & their coffee before they would allow the first person in.
The trip to the basement of the hospital was awful for the dubious chest xray. Happy days

[snd1966]

Those were the days, on the stairs, smoking, paper stored under them. Lefkoşa state hospital, the xray with winter coat on, blood test and the long cotton bud
Then it seemed to get better the office with the waiting room, the clinic and no cotton bud

[Medjoul1]

I was the last person at the counter on the old system and the lady said 'closing now come back tomorrow ' I was there next day at the crack of dawn and when they finally opened it was the same lady, 'hello' she said, 'rules changed at midnight go to Girne police station'. I drove back to Girne to the police station and the policeman said 'we don't know anything about that come back in a fortnight'!

[mrsgee]

I was the last person at the counter on the old system and the lady said 'closing now come back tomorrow ' I was there next day at the crack of dawn and when they finally opened it was the same lady, 'hello' she said, 'rules changed at midnight go to Girne police station'. I drove back to Girne to the police station and the policeman said 'we don't know anything about that come back in a fortnight'!

We were the very last people to get residency under the old system. Saw a lovely young lady, gave her all our stuff, she was working frantically watching the clock, then I think just before 3.15 , she said run run and pay...... so we dashed off to the payment office which was about to close, they locked the door as we got in. Gave them everything, then they said, passports..... realised we had not had them back from the lady at the desk. I told hubby to stay in payment office whilst I ran back up the corridor meeting the lady running towards me with passports..... dashed back down, job done phew...... we all laughed a lot... in relief..... we were the last under that system. Much flippin easier than now.

[Medjoul1]

mrsgee I remember it well I was behind you! Another few minutes I would have been home and dry.

[mrsgee]

mrsgee I remember it well I was behind you! Another few minutes I would have been home and dry.

Ooooo sorry about that, but we were as quick as could be. It was a frantic few minutes to be sure.