Policy on Residents Permits for persons over the age of 60

runner



Joined: 04/03/2009
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 10:37

Can anyone enlighten me? On more than one occasion, I have been informed that once a person reaches the age of 60 years, they are no longer required to renew their Residents Permit annually. I have spoken to the Superintendent at Girne police station, who put the question to his Immigration Department Inspector. The answer was very airy-fairy; you may or may not have to. Basically, I think they just did not know. Recently a friend was passing through a crossing point and was told by the Immigration Officer that she did not need the permit stamp because she was over sixty. Confused or what? I have a feeling that you may not need to renew once you reach that age and it is the authorities who want to keep it quiet because of all the revenue they will lose.



Answers on a postcard to, “Do I or don’t I?” No seriously folks, does anyone know the answer please?

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 10:41

Many fairy tales about 60+ people in circulation (residency, work permits etc), runner. Best way to find out: don't renew your residency, find out the consequences and do let us know (undoubtedly from the UK, because you will be expelled from TRNC).

runner



Joined: 04/03/2009
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 10:45

Cheers DC, very helpful.

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 11:23

There is an element of truth in residency permit not required for the over 60's i am pursing it at the moment with the immigration department.

As soon as i get a definitive answer and prove it then i will post.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 11:27

Hippo, do you really have reasons to suggest that "they" take money from all or certain 60+ people where that is not allowed by law or necessary? Or are you teasing?

runner



Joined: 04/03/2009
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 13:03

Your sensible reply is much appreciated Hippo, thanks. Look forward to your post if you get the answer we seek.

rigsby


Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 912

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 13:11

I asked the same question on my sixth renewal.I can still hear them laughing as i left the building.

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 13:13

As I said before I am following a lead. it came from a comment by a TC friend when i was complaining that my month for doing my residency was not convenient in that i would like to be away at that time.

He said over 60 no need, he works for the government, not in immigration, so at the moment we are digging, the trouble is to actually find out who can give a definitive answer.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 15:32

Hippo,



You must have seen the TV series "Yes, Minister."?

It is an axiom of civil service behaviour to always err on the safe side.

When a member of the public applies for a permission or an exception, the following always applies:

Any "No" decision can always be reversed at a later date, no harm done.

A "Yes" decision, later found to be wrongly given can often not be reversed.

Therefore, if in doubt, a civil servant will always say "No", or pass the buck, in order not to take any later blame.

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 15:39

Sounds a bit like the "can get a 2 year residency" - saw it in the papers, with price just before going in to renew at Girne Police station, asked as we filled in papers and they laughed and said "no" - what about over 70's then? Still no.

runner



Joined: 04/03/2009
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 18:24

This is the reply to my question from the BRS:



If you have a temporary residence permit, you have to renew it every year regardless of age.



If you have a permanent residence permit, we have just been informed (but need to check) that you will be exempt from the checks made every two years on permanent residents, if you are over 60.



The place to ask for up to date information is the Immigration Department of the Ministry of the Interior: they make the rules.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 18:32

Shouldn't that be

"They make up the rules(as they go along)"?

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
13/02/2010 19:27

Oh come on guys. I put down what was required on a thread earlier, and I had received that info from Immigration. I also have a contact name and phone number, but I appreciate that things move .



One of the main problems is that 'the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing' , in other words not all the Civil Servants speak the same language.



Of course you don't HAVE to renew your visa, you can revert to coming and going in and out of the country and getting a 90 day stamp (but please go out via Ercan and go somewhere other than just over the border).



As to 60 year olds, if you want two years instead of one - ASK FOR IT.



Permanent residency -MAYBE yuou will be financially checked every 2 years, but not confirmed.



I also saw a notice from BRS headed 'How to renew your Permanent Resident's Visa' which seems a contradiction in terms to me!



So if you are not sure - and why should you believe me - contact Immigration direct and ASK. Not BRS, and not the Police