Guide to North Cyprus Residency

5 Year North Cyprus Residency Visa for ALL Property Buyers!

On 1^st May 2025 the North Cyprus Government made an exciting announcement:

Now North Cyprus overseas property buyers of all ages (with a title deed in their name) can apply for a 5-year residency visa for Northern Cyprus with no income requirement!   This 5-year scheme brings North Cyprus in line with other property destinations, including South Cyprus.

• Previously only those foreign property buyers in North Cyprus over 60 years of age qualified for 5 years via the Visa Exemption Scheme.  
• Before, those under 60 had to show proof of income (equivalent to the TRNC minimum wage) and only receive a one or two year visa at a time.  
• The residency exemption scheme is still in operation for the over 60s – click HERE to read.

Now anyone of any age can also live full time in North Cyprus for 5 years at a time before having to renew their residency visa, provided they have the deed in their name.  

Family member residency for North Cyprus Title Deed holders

A North Cyprus property owner can also sponsor their partner or spouse for the same period of time.   The new regulations also take away the need to apply for residency for children under 18 who are attending a North Cyprus educational establishment.

They no longer have to show proof of income if they have the title deed.

Summary of New Overseas Property Owner Residency/Visa Regulations 

NB These were only announced on 1^st May 2025 and may be subject to clarification.

The type of visa which you get depends upon the stage you are at with your purchase and also whether or not you wish to live all the year around in the TRNC.

The stages of purchase for a North Cyprus property purchase are:  sales contract, being granted Permission to Purchase (P2), and finally having the title deed transferred into your name.  At present this three-stage process can take up to 18 months.

1. SALES CONTRACT ONLY – VISITOR VISA

If you have a sales contract but only want a long visit, you can extend your 30-day arrival visitor visa to 90 days.  Please note, we do not advise you travelling with North Cyprus property documents via south Cyprus.  You should leave these in the North of Cyprus and present them to the authorities once you are in the country to have your 30-day visa extended.

If you do not wish to live full time in North Cyprus, the 90-day period may be sufficient for you.  Please note you cannot do two 90-day periods consecutively and should only do two of these per year.  For clarification on this please consult The Foreign Residents (TFR) website.

2. SALES CONTRACT ONLY – RESIDENCY APPLICATIONS – 2 YEARS

If you wish to live full time in North Cyprus and have not yet received your Permission to Purchase (P2P) but have a sales contract, you can apply via the online North Cyprus Residency application process but will initially only be given a two-year residency visa.  You will have to show proof of income.

Please note, 2 years is also now the shortest visa period granted to any overseas or foreign resident.

3. SALES CONTRACT & PERMISSION TO PURCHASE – 5 YEARS WITH PROOF OF INCOME.

If you have permission to purchase AND a sales contract, you should apply via the online process.  You will need to prove 1 x minimum wage for residency as you do not yet have your title deed.  You will be given a five-year visa.

4. PROPERTY OWNERS WITH TITLE DEEDS IN THEIR NAME

If you have the contract, permission to purchase, have paid all of your taxes and have the title deed in your name, upon application with the necessary documents via the North Cyprus government online residency visa application portal, you will receive a 5 year residency visa without needing to show proof of income.  You can sponsor your partner or spouse for the same period.

These new residency visa rules show that the North Cyprus government continues to support those who wish to invest in North Cyprus real estate.   Upon the recent announcement, the TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said, “We continue to implement with determination the steps that directly touch the lives of every segment of society living in our country. Our understanding of the social state is an understanding that embraces both our citizens and everyone who is in our country, who invests, produces and contributes to us.  I believe that these regulations will create a solid foundation for a more peaceful social life, a stronger economic structure and a more contemporary public administration”.

FAQs – New 5-year North Cyprus Residency Visa

Does property ownership automatically entitle me to a residency visa for North Cyprus?

No, property ownership does not automatically provide you with residency of North Cyprus, but is the requirement for the 2- or 5-year residency application.   

If I rent a property long term, can I also get a North Cyprus residency visa?

Those renting property long term in North Cyprus can also apply for residency but face more stringent income rules up to 3 x the minimum wage.  These rules vary by nationality too.

How can I get in person help with my North Cyprus Residency application?

If you wish in person assistance with your visa applications, you can speak to TFR staff during their weekly clinics in North Cyprus or arrange an online (paid) consultation.  Please write to TFR for details via their Facebook page.  If you do not have Facebook, please write to us at NCI and we will send you the email.

North Cyprus International are property consultants and not able to assist with residency applications but provide these details as assistance to our property buyers.

What’s the difference between the 5-year North Cyprus Residency Visa and the 5-year Visa Exemption?

If you are under 60 with at least contract and permission to purchase (P2P) you use the online portal to apply for your 5-year visa as normal.  If you and your partner are over 60, please visit our article on 5-year visa exemption for the in-person process to get exemption for needing to apply online.  You can also contact TFR.
What is the 1 x Minimum Wage for North Cyprus?

The TRNC minimum wage is set in Turkish Lira and therefore the amount when changed in currency can vary.  At the time of writing (May 2025) it’s about £10,000 per year.

North Cyprus Residency Visa Rules Updates

The new North Cyprus Residency Visa rules have only recently been announced at the time of writing and may be subject to updates and changes.  For further or updated clarification on all the new residency visa rules, please visit The Foreign Residents (TFR) Facebook page and click on FILES.