Work Permits - Another change

charlie15


Joined: 23/04/2008
Posts: 131

Message Posted:
18/01/2009 19:34

This from The Cyprus Observer 16th Jan



Even if you have a work Permit

"A Residency Permit is obligatory"



"The Immigration Office has issued a reminder that all foreigners working in northern Cyprus with work permits need to obtain residency permits that include their wives and children according to the rearranged regulations.

Office Manager Nafiye Gunalp stated that, after 30th June 2009, a penalty will be applied to defaulters of the daily minimum salary per day when they leave the country. In simple terms this means that foreigners working with work permits will now need to take out residency permits for themselves, Gunalp stated, as well as for their spouses and children according to the Foreigners and Immigration law rearranged after 1st January. "







Previously you either had a Work permit OR a Residency permit you couldn't have both.

Now it seems you will need both. Even more income from us.....................

Harlequin


Joined: 02/10/2008
Posts: 346

Message Posted:
18/01/2009 19:42

The was a reference to this in Cyprus Today and the Star but the way it was worded it was only the spouses and children that needed residency if you had a work permit.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
19/01/2009 00:16

Agree with harlequin.



CT's report was you need either a Work Permit or a Residency permit. Never has both been an issue.



Problem is that work permits and business permits do not lead to an application for Perminant Residency application in 6 years under current legislation.

Harlequin


Joined: 02/10/2008
Posts: 346

Message Posted:
19/01/2009 10:46

I wasn't actualy disagreeing or agreeing. I was just observing that the other papers presented it in a different way.



I have a work permit so I need to investigate. No doubt, before we get to the facts there will be another half dozen versions of the new regulations.

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 12:25

Does anyone know what the outcome of this thread was? As David in Msg 3 pointed out, work permits (and as far as I understand too) do not lead/count toward an eventual application for permanent residency. If one wishes, is it possible to have both temporary residency (to continue the countdown to a permanent residency application) running concurrently with a work permit?

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 12:31

If any member of the public wished to know if another person had a work permit .

is there a way one could find out ? just curious !!

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 12:33

We've got our application going through for work permits at the moment and were told last week we had to apply for residency too, so went off down to the hospital last week for the bloods etc.



By the way, for anyone interested, we went to the state hospital for our tests and were charged 165TL each. We had to go there apparently cos the applic. relates to our business permit! But our Turkish friends asked had around for us and apparently the private hospital in Lefkoşa only charge 125TL!!

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 12:40

So Pippie. you are saying that you have been told that you MUST have residency as well if you want a work permit are you, as per the original post? Who told you this please?

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 12:44

Yes. Our Turk-Cypriot friend made some phone calls, not sure who to, and this is what he was told.

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 12:54

Would you be able to find out from your friend please and post on here as there appears to be conflicting information on this subject. Thanks.

spanna


Joined: 12/01/2009
Posts: 544

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 14:16

I have just been given my work permit and have not been told of any need for residency in addition to this...? Process was done by a Turkish Cypriot accountant - I would have thought he would have informed me if this was, indeed, necessary?



Would appreciate any other clarification on this...

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 14:48

There you have it! Completely conflicting experiences from Pippie and Spanna. If residency is required in order to have a work permit from 30th June 2009 as per the original post from Charlie15 above, how does that affect people who were given a work permit before then who didn't need temporary residency at that time and have still NOT applied for it? Are they facing fines when they leave the country as reported above?



Also, if it turns out you don't need both, can one choose to have both in any case as per my message 5 above.

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 15:18

when i first arived i got a resedancy when i got my work permit my resedancy had to be canceled first you cant have both obviosly another load of i dont knows trying to cause problems or pahaps just hoping they are working legally trash

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 15:30

OK everyone,here is how it works;

If you have a work permit,you dont need residency permit for yourself.

If you have family with you not working,they would need residency permit in order to stay in TRNC.



As for TRNC citizens,if you are married to a non-citizen,you would need to get a residency for you partner as well.(appearently thats how it is done in UK,AT LEAST THATS WHAT THEY TOLD ME IN THE OFFICE)



I was there this morning with my wife to get her kimlik card,and thats when I found out about all this.



As for getting blood tests done,I know somewhere in Lefkosa thet you can get it for 80 tl,well it was about 2 months ago.

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 15:35

thank god we dont all believe the things people post check first or be in that frame then coment hear say no good

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 15:36

yorgozlu could you possibly answer message 6 ?

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 15:54

Pipie;msg 16;

Work permit is something that you get when you work for someone else.If a person is working for a company ,it is the company's duty to gain that for that particular person.



Anyone working(foreign) by themseves and saying they have work permit is pulling your leg or telling a fib(in my terms:f**king lying),unless they have their own ltd.company,in which case they would not need work permit.

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 17:14

Yorgozlu, are you able to answer Msg 5 as well please? I have five residency stamps in my passport. Once I have six I can apply for permanent residency. However, if I become employed I need a work permit and have been advised that my temporary residency will be cancelled, perhaps even before my full permit is granted. Are my five years of temporary residency "safe" in terms of applying for permannt residency after six stamps (whenever thy might be accrued) or do I have to start the whole process all over again if for example I stop working and don't renew my work permit?



Also Pippie states above that a friend of theirs enquired about this for them and was told that you needed to apply for residency as well if you wanted a work permit? Perhaps you can clarify the situation please especially as it will save Pippie time and money. Thanks

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 17:25

if you have five resedancy permits you can aply for citerncy then it is up to the goverment to say yes or no if you have 5 years as work permit you dont need any more but your tax nat insurance and all has to be paid i have accountants and know this ilegals dont if you want to check me out come round and i will take you to my accountants and show you how much money it all costs you know my web site and can get my numbers welcome any day you like you cant work without a work permit thats why people pay all that money and tos dont

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 17:30

another way of telling an ilegal is by there posting i know sombody who can email me how many times have you seen this on this site how many times have i been attact and every one is an illegal with no gaurantees and could be on the next boat home with your money it is in motion now so when you employ one beware

Wiser


Joined: 30/07/2008
Posts: 796

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 17:32

I have just had blood tests done by the private clinic in Girne near to HSBC bank and it cost me 90tl.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 17:35

Yorgozlu .



It was messege 6 i needed answering !! cheers .

Lazy days


Joined: 24/07/2008
Posts: 847

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 18:52

Yorgozlu

Bit of a nippy post that last un you answered mess 6 & 16's reminder, quite simple to understand your answer too, 90% of ex-pats who say they are legal are not and all they need to do is open their passport and show there business permission if they are not lying.

A

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 19:14

Yorg...Do you know what the situation re social security payments are for a person working "part time" are ? Assuming that such a thing exists here! are they pro-rata'd down or do they remain the same;also does the minimum wage situation exist for a some one working "short time" hours?

Thanking you in anticipation.

TonyE

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 19:17

Now I'm confused!

If I have a work permit can I still apply for duty exemption to ship my household furniture etc. out here?

Thanks.

JohnW


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 601

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 19:26

elkiton



There is no such thing as "part time". You either have a "residency" and are not allowed to work or you have a work permit.



I agree entirely with the sentiments expressed by Gates. There are many brits here thinking that they can just do a "bit on the side". Their problem is that they will be caught and deported.



John

charlie15


Joined: 23/04/2008
Posts: 131

Message Posted:
18/01/2010 20:09

Re Message 1 original post"

If you check the date I posted this last January 18/01/2009

It was a "Quote" from the Cyprus Observer.



I have just renewed my work (Business) permit last week and Residency was Not mentioned.

This is my 6th permit and have been told it's now 10 Years before I can apply for citizenship and not have to get a permit.



Gates: I would like details of your accountant who says you don't need one after 5 Years. If this is so then why have I just had to pay nearly £550 + 165 TL blood tests for another year?

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 00:49

Is it me or my jet lag, but I'm totally mystified by Gate's two postings!



Richard

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 01:23

No Richard...it's not you and unfortunately still no one has been able to answer my question in Msg 5 after picking up this year old thread which is :



"Can someone choose, voluntarily, to keep their existing residency permit going as well as having a first time issued work permit running concurrently for the time being, or is this not permissable. If not, why not and again if not, do the existing temporary residency stamps in someone's passport count towards the six stamps required to apply for permanent residency if desired to avoid the yearly excursion to Nicosia and yearly ongoing costs?"



From Charlie15's Msg 27 it does appear that the Cyprus Observer article mentioned in Msg 1 was inaccurate in that Charlie 15 was able to renew the work permit without a need for a residency permit after all as mentioned in Msgs 2 and 3 and further down the thread.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 03:19

msg 5;

Yes you can apply for permenant residency weather you have work permit or residency permit for premanent residency/citizenship.

However,when I went there yesterday,I had a friend who is from Turkey with me that has been here just over 5 years working with the 6th stamp on his passaport to apply for citizenship and was told that "you can only apply for that after you'd been here 6 years in full"

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 03:33

msg 24

elkiton;

The rules and regulations seems to be changing at the moment,however,there is no such thing as "part time" as JohnW points out on msg 26.



As for pension scheme, a person must contribute for minimum of 15 years in to national security before being entitled for reteriment.Though,I do know few people(ex uk cypriots)that had worked for few years and paid the rest out their pockets to make up the required time for a pension because of their age,and at the moment thats what I'm aiming at.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 03:43

msg 25

Pippie;

Work permit or residency permit dont come into that.



What you need to know is;

If a person,regardless Cypriot or not had been in this country (TRNC) for less then 365 days in the last 2 years,you are a VISITOR,if your answer to that is "YES" than you will be entitled for duty exemption.That is what the "ins-outs"for,to work out how long you had been here.

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 09:21

Yorgozlu, thank you for your reply. Just to confirm, are you saying that to be eligible for permanent residency all that someone needs is, for example, 5 years temporary residency stamps and 1 year work permit stamp or 4 plus 2 or 3 plus 3 to then be able to apply for permanent residency?



In other words, there is no need to have residency and work permits running concurrently because all that matters is that someone has the required 6 stamps in their passport of either residency or work permits or a combination of the two in order to at least then be able to apply for permanent residency status?



Please clarify this for me if you can. Thanks

JohnW


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 601

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 09:39

satranc



My understanding is that work permits don't count. Only residency contributes to obtaining permanent residency. But, then again I may have been misinformed.

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 09:49

so what if you think someone is working with out a permit how do you find out other than asking them to show you there passport is there a register of some kind?

satranc


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
19/01/2010 09:53

John, that is my understanding too and that is why I have asked Yorgozlu or anyone else for that matter, for clarification. If work permits don't count, then as long as someone is allowed to continue accruing their residency stamps in their passport, there isn't an issue. Otherwise, someone will have to start the whole 6 stamp process all over again, to then be eligible to apply for permanent residency status.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 01:24

Messege 35 I have tried and tried to get an answer to this seems no one seems to know !!

snd1966


Joined: 10/06/2009
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 07:37

Pipie as we all know the only way is to go to the right department and ask and if you decide to go ahead, unbelieveable it will still be different. I remember when we went to get our gun licence at the police station we were told of all the things we required the next day went back and he only asked for the passport and stamps. And believe it or not that is one of the things which put a smile on my face and let me enjoy life here. Rules and reg could be be bent.

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 07:49

i had to cancell my resedency to get a work permit you cant have both and you only need a work permit any way to get in and out of the country but it does not unfortunatly go towards citizen ship but after 5 yrs you dont have to apply any more as it continues on 1 to go

kibsolar


Joined: 14/09/2008
Posts: 552

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 12:24

It seems that a lot of you want „everything“, visitors permit, tax exemption, pemanent residency, citizenship and of course they want start and stop work whenever they want...



To obtain a temporary residence (1 year visitors permit) you have to show that you have assets, money, eg being retired, but not necessarily. if you do this for 10 years, you can get permanent residency (permanent visitor). But if you dont have money (or you dont apply) you get a 90 days visa (you are EU, eg Turks getting 14-30 days), after that, please leave.

Visitors are here because „of the sunshine“ and not because they want to (continue their) work as an electrician or nurse, whatever. Certainly this economy is not interested to house people who "claim to be retired" and finally moonlight.

if you apply somewhere „in the middle“ of your temp residences for a working permit, the authorities assume that your status from "i have money" changed to "i need money". your (years of) residency comes to an en

kibsolar


Joined: 14/09/2008
Posts: 552

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 12:26

The authorities know " how much a local registered company usually pays", and nobody really believes you that you are just "a little bit bored at home". How an officer dicribed it “ ...if they are bored, they can work in the garden and enjoy life....“



Even if you show them that you are a billionaire and bored...if you have money and you want to work, get a business permit, create jobs. They dont want the labour market flooded and certainly not with people who arrange a „cover up“, working „only part time“, charge 30 Stg an hour and write a receipt for 5. from this kind the cypriots have enough of their own folk.

And be aware: a local company can sack you any time and you have to leave the country within, i believe, 14 days, or apply immediately for a new visitors permit.

If you are in trouble with your „cover up“, it might happen that they stop paying your social insurances without telling you and you might be very surprised that you are „illegal“ since half a year.

kibsolar


Joined: 14/09/2008
Posts: 552

Message Posted:
11/02/2010 12:27

The authorities know that foreigners (expats and turks and all) are working without permits and this is their threat: „we might get you or change your status“. Accept that, you are a visitor!



But the „expats problem“ is not behind that (not) new regulations from msg 1....

During the last years an estimated 60.000 turkish workers without permit left the island. now thousands of them come back for work, incl wife, sister, 4 kids and grandma. not because of the expats they want to "control" that and demand residency for family members.

Interesting is msg 7.

Pippies „ ….application going through for work permits at the moment...“ , but needs „... residency too...“ and went “...for the bloods etc....“.

what do you think, Pippie?

No „....bloods etc....“ needed for a working permit?