TRNC Immigration Amnesty Published on 26 May 2026: Detailed Guidance
The TRNC Legal Assembly has introduced a new Immigration Amnesty, which was published in the Official Gazette on 26 May 2026.
The purpose of this amnesty is to provide an opportunity for certain foreign nationals who have breached immigration regulations, overstayed their tourist visa, failed to extend their permits, or became subject to deportation measures in Northern Cyprus, to legalise their immigration status in the TRNC without being required to pay the fines that would otherwise apply.
Eligible individuals must submit their applications within the period specified below and those whose applications are approved will generally be required to pay an amnesty fee equivalent to one monthly minimum wage (60,618TRY), after which they will be granted a temporary legal status enabling them either to leave Northern Cyprus lawfully or apply for the appropriate permit or enter the TRNC if they are abroad.
PERSONS WITH EXPIRED VISAS OR INCOMPLETE PERMIT APPLICATIONS
The amnesty applies to foreign nationals who:
- Have stayed in the TRNC after the expiry of their tourist visa;
- Failed to complete applications for:
- Residence permits;
- Student permits;
- Work permits;
- Permanent residence permits;
- Business establishment permits; or
- Exemption permits.
- Failed to renew an expired permit; and
Have become liable for immigration fines as a result of the above circumstances.
TRNC Amnesty Application Period
Applications must be submitted within 45 days from 26 May 2026.
After Approval
If the application is approved:
- The applicant must pay an amnesty fee equal to one minimum wage within 10 days.
- Upon payment, the applicant will be granted a 60-day residence permit.
During the 60-Day Period
The applicant must either:
- Leave the TRNC lawfully; or
- Submit an application for the appropriate residence status.
Work Permit Applications
Applicants who wish to obtain a work permit will be exempt from the usual pre-authorisation work permit procedure, which normally requires a foreign national to leave the country before obtaining employment authorisation.
Amnesty for Family Members
An important feature of the amnesty is that it also benefits certain family members of eligible applicants. Once an applicant obtains the 60-day residence permit under the amnesty, the following family members may also benefit:
- Spouse;
- Unmarried children under 25 years of age; and
- Disabled children.
Provided that an online application is submitted and approved within the 60-day period:
- Existing immigration fines against such family members will be waived; and
- They will also be granted a 60-day visa/residence period.
PERSONS SUBJECT TO DEPORTATION ORDERED ISSUED BEFORE 26 MAY 2026
The amnesty also applies to foreign nationals against whom:
- An arrest order and deportation order were issued by the Immigration Department before 25 May 2026;
- The orders were based on unauthorised residence or unauthorised employment; and
- The deportation order could not be executed for any reason.
Conditions
The applicant must not be considered a threat to public order or public security.
If approved, the applicant must pay the amnesty fee of one minimum wage; and a 60-day residence permit will be issued.
Work Permit Applications
Applicants who wish to obtain a work permit will be exempt from the usual pre-authorisation work permit procedure, which normally requires a foreign national to leave the country before obtaining employment authorisation.
PERSONS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE TRNC: FAMILY RELATIONSHIP GROUNDS
The amnesty also covers certain foreign nationals who are currently outside the TRNC and whose entry has been prohibited by the Chief Immigration Officer.
The applicant must be a first-degree relative of:
- A TRNC citizen; or
- A person legally residing in the TRNC with:
- A residence permit;
- Student permit;
- Work permit;
- Business establishment permit;
- Exemption permit; or
- Permanent residence permit.
First-degree relatives include Spouse, Mother, Father and Unmarried child.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted to the relevant TRNC Representative Office within 45 days from 26 May 2026, together with documentation proving the family relationship.
Approval and Entry
If approved:
The applicant may enter the TRNC within 30 days of the approval. Upon entry, the applicant must pay an amnesty fee equal to one minimum wage.
Work Permit Applications
Applicants intending to obtain a work permit will be exempt from the usual pre-authorisation procedure.
Children
Children under the age 18 years are exempt from the amnesty fee, provided the required applications are completed through the relevant system.
Students
Students falling within this category may also apply through their last registered university, subject to the requirement of demonstrating completion of at least 50% of their academic programme.
PERSONS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE TRNC – PROPERTY OWNERSHIP GROUNDS
The amnesty also benefits foreign nationals whose entry into the TRNC has been prohibited by the Chief Immigration Officer where:
- They own immovable property in the TRNC; or
- Their spouse owns immovable property in the TRNC; or
- They hold a Contract of Sale registered with the District Lands Office; or
- Their spouse holds such a registered Contract of Sale.
Applications must be submitted to the relevant TRNC Representative Office within 45 days from 26 May 2026. Supporting documents evidencing ownership or the registered Contract of Sale must accompany the application.
Approval and Entry
If approved:
The applicant may enter the TRNC within 30 days of the approval. Upon entry, the applicant must pay an amnesty fee equal to one minimum wage.
PREVIOUSLY DEPORTED PERSONS
The amnesty also extends to certain foreign nationals who have already been deported from the TRNC following arrest and deportation proceedings for illegal residence or illegal employment. Applications must be submitted to the relevant TRNC Representative Office within 45 days from 26 May 2026
Eligible Categories
A deported person may apply if:
Family Connection
The applicant is a first-degree relative of:
- A TRNC citizen; or
- A lawful resident of the TRNC holding a residence permit, work permit, student permit, business establishment permit, exemption permit, or permanent residence permit.
The applicant must provide:
- Evidence of the family relationship; and
- A criminal record certificate.
Property Ownership
The applicant or their spouse owns:
- A title deed property in the TRNC; or
- A registered Contract of Sale recorded with the District Lands Office.
The Ministry will assess whether the applicant's entry would be compatible with public order and public security. If satisfied, the application will be approved and the applicant may enter the TRNC within 30 days.
Where the principal applicant benefits from the amnesty, the following family members may also benefit:
- Spouse; and
- Unmarried children.
Each family member must pay the applicable amnesty fee of one minimum wage.
Additional Payments
Where a deported person (including students) had their return travel expenses paid by the State at the time of deportation, the applicant must pay:
- The amnesty fee; and
- An additional amount equal to one and a half times the deportation travel cost previously paid by the State.
Special Provisions for Students
Students who have fallen into an irregular immigration status may benefit from the amnesty by applying through their last registered university within 45 days from 26 May 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
The application will be assessed if the student can demonstrate that they have completed at least:
- 50% of their academic credit requirements; or
Supporting documentation must be submitted through the university.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Yes. The amnesty is specifically intended to assist foreign nationals who have overstayed their tourist visa, failed to renew a permit, or failed to complete a permit application. Provided you submit your application within 45-day period from 26 May 2026 and satisfy the relevant requirements, you may benefit from the amnesty regardless of the length of the overstay.
Yes. The purpose of the amnesty is to allow eligible individuals to legalise their immigration status without paying the accumulated immigration fines that would normally apply. However, applicants must pay the amnesty fee of one minimum wage (currently 60,618 TRY), and certain deported persons may be required to make additional payments as specified by the legislation.
The 60-day residence permit is a temporary measure. During this period, you must either leave the TRNC lawfully; or apply for and obtain the appropriate immigration status, such as a residence permit, work permit, student permit, or other permit for which you qualify.
Failure to take the necessary steps during the 60-day period may result in further immigration violations.
Possibly. The amnesty allows certain persons who have been prohibited from entering the TRNC due to illegal residence or employment to apply for permission to return. Eligibility may arise if:
- You are a first-degree relative of a TRNC citizen or a legal resident of the TRNC; or
- You or your spouse own property in the TRNC or hold a registered Contract of Sale.
Applications must be submitted through the relevant TRNC Representative Office within the prescribed time limit.
Yes. One of the most significant benefits of the amnesty is that eligible applicants who wish to obtain a work permit are exempt from the usual pre-authorisation procedure. This means that they may apply for a work permit without first leaving the country to obtain a pre-authorisation approval.
Not necessarily. Certain deported persons may benefit from the amnesty if they meet the eligibility requirements relating to family connections or property ownership. Each application will be assessed individually, and the authorities must be satisfied that the applicant does not pose a risk to public order or public security. If approved, the applicant may be permitted to re-enter the TRNC and regularise their status.
