Katya Livshits and her friend Nikita have been living, studying and working in Northern Cyprus for three years. They also run telegram and YouTube channels and help students from other countries prepare for admission to local universities. We asked Katya to recall her story of moving to the island and talk about the prospects and opportunities for those who want to repeat this path.
How and why we moved
In 2013, my parents came to Southern Cyprus on vacation. A year later they returned, but to Northern Cyprus - to take part in a free three-day viewing tour. Such tours have been practiced on the island for several years: tourists are actively taken throughout Northern Cyprus, told about the prospects of buying a home and the advantages of living by the sea. My parents were shown a vacant lot and told that in a year and a half there would be three three-story blocks of beautiful houses here - and mom and dad resolutely signed a purchase and sale agreement.
For me, the news about the move came as a complete surprise, but Cyprus fascinated me. I was especially captivated by the proximity of the mountains and the sea: here they rise right off the coast. In 2021, I graduated from 11th grade, and at the beginning of September we moved to Cyprus. Here I entered the American University of Girne. Girne is the second name of Kyrenia, the most popular resort. For the first two weeks, I lived with my parents in a rented apartment, which was provided free of charge by a real estate agency: our house was still under construction. And then I moved to the hostel.
Misconceptions about Northern Cyprus!
The main misconception is that a residence permit obtained by purchasing real estate allows you to find a job. This is not true; in Northern Cyprus, only the employer can issue a work permit.
The second misconception is that everyone is welcome here. Cypriots are friendly people, but if you come to this country with nothing and have nothing to offer, then the joy will noticeably diminish - local residents love those who benefit their state, care about prosperity and maintaining order!
How to move to Northern Cyprus correctly - 3 valuable tips
Let's now take a closer look at how to move to this country correctly so as not to be disappointed in it. On the Internet you can find a lot of tips and stories related to moving. Russian people actively blog, talking about everyday life. We have highlighted the main points and tips that will help you move here comfortably, avoiding a sad experience.
- Live here for a while before moving. Northern Cyprus is a wonderful place, but people's tastes can vary greatly. And maybe you won’t like this place. Give your family a long vacation, live for at least a month or two to understand whether you like it here or not. During this time, you will be able to solve many important issues for yourself.
- Figure out your means of subsistence. A business that will remain in your home country is an ideal option, however, it is not available to everyone. Be sure to resolve this issue before moving. Agree on further employment in Cyprus, think over a business idea that you can implement, and ultimately buy a ready-made company. But under no circumstances come to the unknown. If we talk about business, the most popular are beauty salons, catering establishments and rentals.
- Learn the language. Even if you plan to communicate only with your fellow countrymen, without knowledge of English it will be very difficult. And if you want to get a job, then you need to know English at a very high level, and even better, take care of learning the Turkish language, at least its basics.
From the history of Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus, or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a partially recognized state that occupies approximately a third of the island of Cyprus. The capital is located in the city of Lefkosa (Turkish name) or Nicosia (Greek name). Today it is the only capital in the world divided between two states - just like Berlin once was.
Northern Cyprus is separated from the rest of Cyprus by a buffer zone. This zone is also called the Green Line and is protected by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
To understand how the division of the island occurred, you need to go back to 1960, to the formation of the Republic of Cyprus. The country gained independence from Great Britain, and the Greek and Turkish communities living on the island received equal rights in governance. Three years later, a government crisis occurred, the Turks lost their posts, and relations between them and the Greeks sharply deteriorated. For 11 years, there were numerous clashes between the communities, and Turkey and Greece were on the brink of war.
In 1974, a coup took place on the island. President Mouskos was removed from power and was replaced by Nikos Sampson, who advocated the idea of Cyprus joining Greece. Then Turkish troops invaded Cyprus. The war led to the division of the island into the North, controlled by the Turkish Cypriots, and the South, controlled by the Greek Cypriots.
In 1983, Northern Cyprus declared its independence. However, only Türkiye officially recognized this state.
Now there are rumors among the residents of Cyprus that the North and South will eventually unite. Whether this is true or not, we don’t know, but some changes are already visible. Recently, all cars were required to change their license plates to new ones, suspiciously similar in design to those used in Southern Cyprus. The rules for obtaining a residence permit are changing: now, for example, it is mandatory to take out medical insurance, and student visas can be paid for and issued online. They are discussing a law that will allow southern SIM cards to work in the north, and vice versa.
Resident card
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, or TRNC for short, is officially recognized only by Turkey, and most of it is under military control. However, to visit this state you do not need to obtain an additional visa. Upon arrival at the airport, all tourists are given a migration sheet on which the date of arrival and the planned date of departure are indicated. With such a document, you can stay in Northern Cyprus for 30 or 90 days, depending on the data that the tourist provides during registration.
The only way to get to Northern Cyprus is by plane. Regular flights depart from anywhere in the world, but a transfer is required either in Turkey or Cyprus.
Obtaining a residence permit in Northern Cyprus is much easier than in other European countries. And the main advantages of such a document also include:
- Speed of decision making. It takes less than a month to complete all the necessary documents.
- Unlimited choice. In the country, you can purchase absolutely any housing that is offered on the real estate market; there are no restrictions on cost.
- No need to buy a business. Also, those tourists who are going for permanent residence in the country do not need to open any business or create jobs.
- Versatility. Having issued a residence permit to one of the family members, the other spouse and children will also be able to obtain documents, and this time according to a simplified scheme.
To register a residence permit, you must contact the migration service. The standard package of documents includes an application form, a bank statement indicating the minimum allowable threshold of funds per person, a passport, and a birth certificate for children. In addition, employees will need to provide a certificate of no criminal record.
Foreigners wishing to obtain a residence permit in Northern Cyprus must meet three main criteria. First, have positive characteristics. Secondly, reside in the country for at least 5 years. And thirdly, the desire to obtain a residence permit and live in Cyprus further.
Travelers who dream of visiting Northern Cyprus can apply for a tourist visa. Those arriving at the airport are given a border crossing stamp on a separate form. It allows you to stay in the country from 30 to 90 days. During this period of time, a tourist can contact government authorities to apply for temporary resident status in the northern part of the island. To do this, you must provide the police with:
- passport and its copy;
- certificate of medical examination;
- photo;
- statement of account;
- a document that confirms the presence of any real estate in Northern Cyprus;
- receipt of payment of state duty.
A residence permit is issued on average 21 days, and after its official receipt, you can live in Northern Cyprus for 10 years.
However, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit also has its own peculiarities. For example, citizens of any country over 65 years of age can live on the island without formalized documents or a visa.
Also, when purchasing real estate in the northern part of the island, foreigners automatically receive temporary resident status. And being in this status for more than 6 years allows you to apply for a residence permit. This method of obtaining a residence permit allows you to be absent from the country for some time and live, for example, in another state.
Purchasing real estate in another country not only allows you to stay on its territory for an unlimited amount of time, but can also become an additional source of income; the purchased housing can be rented out. At the same time, children until adulthood do not receive a residence permit; it is enough for them that one of their parents has such status.
Money
Northern Cyprus is a former British colony, so prices for cars and real estate here are quoted in pounds sterling, but payments are made in Turkish lira. You can pay in any store and restaurant in pounds, dollars and euros (according to the exorbitant exchange rate set by the establishment itself). For example, the dollar rate at an exchange office may be 5.8 liras per dollar, and a restaurant can transfer the bill at a rate of 5.2.
Besides Turkish and Turkish Cypriot banks, there are also many branches of international banks. All of them have English-speaking employees, and many even have Russian-speaking representatives. Opening a bank account is not difficult; to do this, you need to present a passport and a real estate purchase agreement or a certificate of electricity connection in your name. Accounts can be opened in Turkish Liras, Euros, US Dollars and Pounds Sterling. Almost everywhere you can pay with Visa and Mastercard. In big cities there are ATMs on every corner.
Local lawyers provide assistance in opening offshore companies in Northern Cyprus. Offshore companies registered in Northern Cyprus do not have the right to conduct business on the island (that is, earn money), but they can conduct various banking operations. Another advantage of banks in Northern Cyprus is the guarantee of bank secrecy, which can only be disclosed by court decision. Accounts for foreigners are opened quite quickly, and it is also possible to manage accounts and assets remotely.
Border
Citizens of the Russian Federation and other immigrants from the CIS need a Schengen or Cyprus tourist visa to enter Cyprus. When crossing the border into Northern Cyprus, the visa is not checked. I have a Ukrainian biometric passport, and I can just cross the border.
Once at the border checkpoint they refused me passage, citing the fact that I flew into the airport of Northern Cyprus (Ercan) more than three months ago. I decided to try my luck at another checkpoint, and they let me through.
When crossing the border for the first time, we did not know that the passport had to be shown first to the Turks, and then to the Greeks, and we calmly passed the checkpoint, showing the passports only to “ours.” Not only did no one stop us for it, we weren't even asked any questions when we returned later that day. I still don’t understand how the border works, but in Facebook groups they write that it all depends on the mood of the border guard.
We always cross from North to South Cyprus along the pedestrian border, and I heard that there may be problems on the road border. Over the past few months, Facebook has been actively discussing the topic of tightening the rules: supposedly all those who entered the island through Ercan Airport will not be able to cross the border to Southern Cyprus, and the automobile border will also be accessible only to cars registered in the name of Cypriots: Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can cross the border in both directions without restrictions.
You can easily cross from south to north, especially if you arrived on the island at one of the airports in Southern Cyprus. But under no circumstances should you tell the border guards at the airport about your intention to visit Northern Cyprus. There was a case where a whole group of Israelis were turned around and deported back to Israel because they mentioned that they were going to the north. My friends from Austria crossed the border without any problems, stayed with me for a week, and then flew away, and they weren’t even asked questions about their plans at the airport. I know that these questions are mostly asked to travelers from Russian-speaking countries. In general, the system here does not work well.
Housing
In June 2015, when there were six months left before the apartment was rented, my parents and I flew to Northern Cyprus again. And they discovered that in the place where our building should have stood, there was still flat ground. The developer assured that force majeure had occurred, the delivery of the project was delayed, and we would have to wait at least another year. However, according to the terms of the contract, the agency paid us £300 monthly for the late delivery of the project for almost a year, which significantly reduced the cost of my training.
Many real estate agencies provide viewing tours like the one my parents took. Usually those who wish come for 3 days, pay only for tickets, and the agency provides accommodation. Agents take you around, showing you properties from different developers, based on your preferences and budget. If you like Cyprus and want to purchase property, you can sign a power of attorney with one of the local lawyers, who will have the right to sign the purchase and sale agreement for you later. Typically, many developers only ask for a deposit to reserve the property for two weeks, and when you return home, you can pay either a down payment to your lawyer or developer, or pay the entire amount. All developers are happy to accommodate and offer different payment plans, installments, and mortgages.
Property prices vary, starting from around £30,000 for a studio apartment in the Famagusta area. In Girne, housing is more expensive: three-room apartments in the city center can cost 80 thousand pounds or more. Prices for villas start from 100 thousand.
The value of real estate also depends on the title (paper of title). Titles are Greek, Turkish and exchange. It is believed that it is safest to purchase apartments with a Turkish title, since Greek Cypriots do not have any rights to this land. Properties with a Turkish title are usually much more expensive and there are fewer available. Basically all properties have an exchange title. This means that the Greek Cypriot who owned the land was compensated for it in Southern Cyprus and has no claims.
By the way, in Cyprus it is prohibited to build houses higher than three floors in the vicinity of cities so that they do not block the view of the sea.
Advantages and disadvantages of living in Northern Cyprus
In this country, a migrant can be attracted by the following advantages:
- low crime rate;
- Russian diaspora;
- low real estate prices;
- simple obtaining of a residence permit;
- excellent ecology;
- sea and warm climate.
Of the obvious disadvantages they mention:
- inability to officially work for holders of residence permits;
- summer is too hot;
- Left side traffic;
- high price of electricity;
- problems with water supply
Transport
You can get to Northern Cyprus only with a transfer in any city in Turkey. There are no direct flights to Northern Cyprus. Many fly to the island through the airports of Southern Cyprus, but you may encounter some problems if you accidentally mention a desire to visit Northern Cyprus or show a contract for the purchase and sale of real estate in the “occupied territory”.
If you live in the vicinity of large cities, you need to have a car, since public transport usually runs only along the main street. There is no bus schedule, but minibuses pass literally one after another and run until nightfall, and some all night, especially during the season.
There are no trains, trams or trolleybuses here, so you can get around either by minibus or by car. Taxis are expensive here. The minimum price is 25 Turkish lira, regardless of distance. I once paid this amount for a distance of 2.6 kilometers, and of course, it is healthier and cheaper to walk such a distance. For a distance of 11 kilometers you have to pay 60 liras or more. Taxis in Northern Cyprus are exclusively Mercedes brands, and the cars are always in perfect condition: clean and shiny. You can pay either in cash (currency is also accepted) or by card.
Another popular method of transportation is hitchhiking. Especially among students. Personally, I have never tried to get to my destination this way for safety reasons, but I have many friends and a few girlfriends who often hitchhike around the island. For example, the men's dormitory is located on the upper road, and you can only get there using the university bus, which runs once an hour and, of course, not 24 hours a day. That is why boys often stop cars by hand and ask them to be taken at least to the turnoff to the hostel, and many are happy to help.
If you come to Northern Cyprus on vacation, it would be advisable to rent a car. In the off season it costs from £12 per day. In season it usually starts from £17, but if you rent a car long-term, for example for a month or more, the company can provide a discount.
Student visa to study in Northern Cyprus
High-quality European education is provided by universities in Northern Cyprus. Among the eight higher educational institutions:
- American University, which is the campus of the University of the USA;
- European University, collaborating with universities in the UK, France, Australia;
- Eastern Mediterranean University, which runs a student exchange program.
Educational institutions are responsible for issuing student visas. The applicant must submit the following documents to the registration office:
- Completed visa form;
- Student Writing;
- Envelope with the result of the medical examination;
- One postage stamp;
- Original and photocopy of international passport;
- One passport size photograph;
- Tax payment receipt.
The university submits a package of documents to the migration service, which issues a visa within five to seven days.
Study in Northern Cyprus
Where to apply
There are more than 20 international universities in Northern Cyprus, but there are three main ones: Eastern Mediterranean University, Near-East University and Girne American University, which are located in Famagusta, Lefkosa and Kyrenia respectively. We are learning in the latter. At the moment, the university has 15 faculties, each with at least two specialties.
Many people wonder why study in Northern Cyprus if it is an unrecognized state. I myself was often tormented by this question; I had heard plenty of legends about boys and girls who wasted four years and were unable to enroll in a master’s program. Now I can say with confidence that the Northern Cyprus diploma is valued abroad. So, two of my good friends went to college in Canada, and their friend went to graduate school in England.
It seems to me that studying here is a good start to continue studying in Europe or America. This is also an excellent chance to improve your language skills, since training for foreigners is always conducted in English.
Our university is located in the Karaolanolu district (a suburb of Kyrenia). On its territory there are several tennis courts, football fields, and basketball courts. There is also a swimming pool, a library, several cafes, bus stops, and parking. For those students who come to Cyprus without speaking English, a separate building has been built. They can first enroll in special English courses, passing a language level test, after which they are divided into groups according to level. Every six months they are tested, which allows you to move to the next level, for example from A1 (Beginner) to A2 (Pre-Intermediate). Having successfully passed the English proficiency exam at level B2 (Upper-Intermediate), the student can begin studying at the chosen faculty.
How to get a discount on tuition
The course lasts four years; students usually take five subjects per semester. The cost of education for most programs is €5,000 per year, but international students receive a 50% discount. Later I learned from my Cypriot friends that they also get a 50% discount, so I would call this a marketing ploy by the university.
Specialties such as medicine and piloting are more expensive. My tuition discount is 75% - I pay €1250 per year plus administration fees once a semester. To get a discount, I signed up for a summer school to study the language. My English was good, but I decided to do it for the bonus. As a result, our trip was canceled due to a terrorist attack at Istanbul airport: a large group of students from Kazakhstan refused to fly, and there was no point in organizing a camp for me and a couple of other people. We got our money back and were given a 75% discount as compensation for moral damages.
I know that in Belarus they generally give out a grant for studying and provide a 100% discount if applicants pass the English language test well. So, my friend from Gomel studies for free, paying only an administrative fee of around €300. Since the third year, I also study for free, because my average score is quite high, and I was given a 100% discount for good academic performance.
Discounts can also be obtained by participating in various university sports. For example, a friend of mine from Almaty plays on a basketball team for the university and studies for free. A friend from Afghanistan applied for and successfully received a 100% tuition discount from the TRNC government, which also covers living expenses. He pays no administrative fees and has been living rent-free in university accommodation for four years.
What specialty to choose
When I entered, the university administration persuaded me to choose marketing, since the business faculty had the highest accreditation around the world. I understood that I was interested in the field of marketing, but mathematics, statistics and economics did not attract me at all. That's why I chose to major in public relations at the Faculty of Communications. We had teachers from Arab countries, Pakistan, Austria and even Australia - not all faculties can boast of such diversity. Unfortunately, by the beginning of the fourth year, all my favorite teachers left the university and only Turks and Cypriots remained, among whom there were much fewer professionals.
What I like most about teaching is the sheer amount of practice. We constantly write press releases, news reports, conduct interviews, shoot short films, and conduct real PR campaigns. This gives me a better chance of going to work somewhere in an advertising agency and applying my practical knowledge.
There are subjects that must be taken to obtain a bachelor's degree, and there are several subjects called elective, that is, optional, not mandatory. You can choose any subject from any faculty. For example, I often take radio, film and television majors, which is how I learned to write scripts for video and audio commercials.
Our university has the following system: if you fail to pass some subjects, you do not fly out of the university, but simply pay for the next semester, take the subjects that you did not pass, and try to pass them again. That is why there are many people here who study for 8–10 years and cannot graduate.
student life
The higher education system in Cyprus is very different from that adopted in the CIS. Here the relationship between student and teacher is rather friendly; you can always approach the teachers for advice. They will not talk down to you or say that you are delaying the teacher because he has a lesson and needs to run. Teachers here have special office hours, when they just sit in their office and are ready to answer students’ questions about the subject or any other questions.
Many events take place here. For example, this Christmas African students staged a whole concert on the street - they played different Christmas songs on the saxophone, drums and guitar. At the same time, souvenirs, waffles with Nutella and traditional Turkish gozleme (filled flatbread baked in a pan called saj) were sold everywhere. Every year we have a spring festival that lasts a week. A huge stage is installed at the stadium, and a new performer performs there every night. These are mainly Turkish stars, which is not particularly interesting for foreign students, but the year before last, for example, William William came.
Every year, an Orientation program is held for first-year students, where they talk about university life, and also arrange free bus tours to all the attractions of the island. When my boyfriend Nikita flew here to study, he was met at the airport by university representatives with signs: they picked up new students and centrally transported them to the dormitories at any time of the day or night.
Moved: How life works in Northern Cyprus
04/13/2018 RUBRIC: Moved
Author: Anna Avlas
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At the age of 17, Anna Avlas left Belarus to study at a university in Lithuania, from there she went on an exchange to Turkey, and then to the shores of Northern Cyprus, where she received a master's degree in social sciences and remained to work in the international marketing of her university. At the same time, she teaches street dance styles and shares her travel experiences on the website.
Preparation for moving and documents
My boyfriend and I are representatives of different nationalities. We met in Ankara while I was there as an exchange student. After a few wonderful months together in Turkey, I had to return to Lithuania for my final year of university, and he selflessly followed me. After graduation, a logical question arose: what to do next? After a couple of my unsuccessful attempts during the summer to move to Turkey in order to be together again, fate had mercy on us and threw a tempting solution: my basketball player boyfriend was offered a contract in Northern Cyprus, in the seaside town of Kyrenia, and I immediately applied for a master's degree in the university, which sponsors that same basketball club, received a 100 percent grant. Everything was decided in just a couple of days and after just two weeks I find myself on a sunny island next to my beloved.
I submitted documents to the university online, after which a notification about successful enrollment was sent to my email. I simply printed it out and presented it at passport control at the airport upon arrival.
It would be useful to clarify something here. Due to political differences, since 1974 the island of Cyprus has been divided into two parts: Southern (Greek Cyprus), which is part of the European Union, and Northern (Turkish Cyprus), an autonomous, unrecognized state. So, unlike the European part of the island, no one simply needs a visa to enter Northern Cyprus, only this entry must be at Ercan Airport (Northern Nicosia). And here is the following nuance: flights there are carried out exclusively from Turkey - the only state that recognizes the sovereignty of Northern Cyprus. Accordingly, the flight from home will include a mandatory transfer at one of the Turkish airports.
At passport control they put a stamp and enter the number of days of stay as a tourist. Only then, “on the spot”, does the fuss with the student residence permit begin, that is, no special documents need to be prepared before the actual move.
By the way, the stamp of the unrecognized republic of Northern Cyprus is completely harmless; there will be no problems with the subsequent receipt of any visas. The only obstacle arises when planning to visit the Greek islands of Kos and Rhodes in the future. I once encountered this personally when purchasing a ticket for the Bodrum-Kos ferry during the summer holidays on the Turkish coast. Well, if the “mark” in the document really confuses you, you have every right to ask at passport control at the airport in Northern Cyprus to put an entry stamp on a separate migration form, which will need to be filled out right there, “without leaving the ticket office.” In this case, the ID will remain blank, just don’t lose the receipt.
I also advise you not to talk too much at passport control if you are arriving at an airport in one part of Cyprus, but the purpose of your trip is another. Although this is not an official reason, they can still be deported. The word came out - the border guards immediately became deaf to your reversals. Although, of course, everything here depends more on the principled personal views of the employee than on the prescribed rules.
To get a temporary residence permit, I needed to take a receipt from the tax office, provide a rental contract and pay a tax of about $ 30 at the police station, take an extract of entries/exits into/from the country; donate blood at a medical center for reference (once, only when submitted in the first year); order a student letter from the university; buy two stamps at the post office. All this is given directly at the university. That's all, in two weeks the document is ready. "Welcome home!" – the Mediterranean Sea shouts to you. You can relax and enjoy sunny everyday life.
“We were given a nice apartment, with a view of the sea on the north side and the mountains on the south. Fortunately, there were no windows looking out onto the cemetery from the east.”
Housing
Renting housing in Kyrenia is an expensive business. A standard 2+1 apartment (“plus one” means a large living room connected to the kitchen, the rest is the number of bedrooms) in the city center will cost about 400-450 GBP per month, and in other areas about 300-350 GBP. Prices are indicated in British pounds sterling, as all official financial transactions, such as rental/purchase of housing and transport, are carried out in this currency. This is due to the fact that in the recent past Cyprus was a British colony and in many ways the way of life retained its English style (apart from financial traditions, there is also left-hand traffic on the roads). The main currency in the northern part of the island is the Turkish lira.
In addition to the monthly rent, and many owners require payment 4 months in advance, when renting housing you will need to pay a deposit and absolutely useless, in my opinion, one or even two commissions, each of which is equal to the rental rate. This is an absurd amount of money down the drain, so it makes sense to move in with someone right away.
In the first two years of living in Cyprus, we were lucky - my boyfriend’s contract included free housing, so we didn’t have to bother with contracts and paying rent. We were given a nice apartment, with a view of the sea on the north side and the mountains on the south. Fortunately, there were no windows looking out onto the cemetery from the east.
Transport
And yet, I advise you to rent an apartment until you get your own transport in the center, since there is a problem with public transport in Kyrenia. To move around the city, except for your legs, you only have at your disposal a “dolmuş”, or minibus in our opinion. Dolmus has a rather expensive tariff for a small town (on average $1) and a very simple route: in a straight line, crossing the city from west to east. Walk up or down from the main road on your own. Accordingly, living in remote areas without your own wheels is inconvenient, and taking a taxi is an expensive pleasure. By the way, in Northern Cyprus, in the literal sense, absolutely all taxis are Mercedes of high class.
Health care
Medicine in Cyprus is also expensive. An appointment that does not involve direct medical intervention, but only a consultation, with any doctor in one of the many private clinics here costs from $30. A regular operation like an appendectomy will cost $1,500. In the center of Kyrenia, however, there is a city clinic that is not inferior in price domestic factors of irritation: the same nervous crowd of grandmothers, hours of waiting in queues, a limited choice of appointment days and other “attractive” goodies of state medical institutions. Coupons are issued at the crack of dawn strictly on the day of the doctor’s visit, and the appointments themselves begin at 10 am. That is, from 7.30 to 8.00 in the morning you personally receive a coupon with the queue number at the registration window, pay for it on the spot (yes, clinics are not free for migrants, but simply several times cheaper than private ones, something like $ 4-5), then return to 10 am and wait your turn in an extremely uncomfortable environment, followed by a lightning-fast conversation with the doctor (he has a kilometer-long line waiting), and, perhaps, that’s all.
Food
The cuisine in Northern Cyprus is predominantly Turkish, although there are plenty of European establishments. The bill for dinner in a cozy cafe will be about $10, and in a restaurant about $15. However, in supermarkets, food prices will not seem like a compromise; it is often easier to “go out” instead of cooking at home, because, in fact, financially the same thing it comes out. I personally eat this way, almost always outside the home: as a big fan of cooking, I consider the waste of time and effort unequal to a delicious dinner in the city, which will be served to me for an equivalent amount.
There are no more than ten large supermarkets in Kyrenia, but there are quite a lot of small shops, and many of them are open 24 hours a day, so there will be no problems with quelling the night gluttons.
Surprisingly, local establishments and supermarkets do not offer seafood. There are fish restaurants, but not at every turn, as expected when moving to the island, and they are very expensive. The choice of seafood in stores is also small and they are only available in frozen form.
People
Cypriots are a sun-spoiled, lazy nation. At first I was annoyed by how slow things were going with them. Everything happened slowly, while I was “burning.” I didn’t realize that the word “deadline” here is an empty phrase. At first, I panicked when I noticed that the days allotted for my stay in the country on the stamp were ending, and the process of obtaining a residence permit had not even begun. But they reassured me, they say, the main thing is that you are physically here, and you’ll get a residence permit later, don’t worry. There was even a case where one of my friends was mistakenly given a backdated entry stamp and she contacted the police, excitedly indicating in her passport that her 30 days of stay on the island had allegedly expired. The policeman's actions were very Cypriot style: he crossed out the number "30" on the stamp and wrote in "90". Like, it’s ready, go in peace, they also invented a problem for me.
Inevitably, I soon took a dose of Cypriot indifference and became completely infected with it: from year to year, my residence permit expires much earlier than I have time to renew it. Last year, I returned from a vacation at home on the very last day of the document’s validity - I just needed to officially enter Cyprus on time - and only a week later I started updating it. Over the past 4 years, I have completely immersed myself in the leisurely rhythm of the island and now it is difficult for me to catch the speed of life while in big cities outside the country.
It is also worth noting that Northern Cypriots are very kind and hospitable. They adopted the warmth and cordiality towards the guest from their Turkish ancestors. I have never noticed any malicious intent behind them, which is why crime in the country is practically zero.
Weather
How else can a resident of a country where the sun shines 9 months a year feel other than amazing? During the summer months, however, Cyprus becomes unbearably hot. But winter is sometimes mild, and sometimes disgustingly damp with torrential rains non-stop. The most disgusting thing about this is that the houses do not have any heating system, and you won’t be able to warm up your apartment with an air conditioner 24 hours a day, so you wrap yourself in all sorts of sweaters and warm socks, although this doesn’t help much. When it's colder at home than outside, that's the most annoying thing. Then everyone smiles when, during the winter holidays in Belarus, I seriously say that I came from Cyprus to warm up.
The most wonderful time on the island is undoubtedly spring. Comfortable mild climate, warm but not yet scorching sun, gentle breeze and clear sky. It is in the spring that all kinds of city and university festivals and events are organized - this is how the city comes to life after winter stupor and apathy, switching to the summer season and active mode.
“Then everyone smiles when, during the winter holidays in Belarus, I seriously say that I came from Cyprus to warm up”
Things to do?
The nature in the north of the island is truly close to paradise. Hiking will fit harmoniously into the scenario of an ideal weekend: the Kyrenia Mountains, stretching for tens of kilometers, are quite impressive and high, but just enough to be easily conquered by an active person.
On some of the peaks are the ruins of medieval castles such as Saint Hilarion, Buffavento and Cantara. Once upon a time, these fortresses served as observation posts, from where it was possible to notice an enemy attack from afar and notify the main city citadel, which to this day is located in the center of Kyrenia (and is called Kyrenia), about it. Today you can walk to it through a picturesque old pier lined with cozy restaurants.
Within the city limits of Kyrenia there are good, but tiny beaches. To get to the wide and golden ones, you need to get further out of the city. The closest one, Alagadi Turtle Beach, is located 10 kilometers east of Kyrenia. In its wild expanses during the summer season you can find dozens of turtle clutches, which are carefully monitored and cared for by volunteer biologists. If you have at least a whole day in hand, then you should definitely go to Karpas - one of the places in the “see and die” category.
There, on the sharp tip of the land (if you can imagine the shape of the island), the divine Golden Sands beach stretches for a full three kilometers in length. The sea water here is crystal clear, and the sand, of course, is golden. You can spend the night in a cozy bungalow, and besides lying on the shore, you should also stop by the protected area next door, occupied by arrogant beggar donkeys who impudently block your path, then leisurely approach and unceremoniously poke their muzzles into the car windows. These faces are still usually decorated with almost every second souvenir from Northern Cyprus, like local celebrities.
I would also like to note the loud nightlife of Kyrenia, which awakens with the onset of the summer season. Noisy parties in open-air coastal clubs will leave only the most categorical non-fan indifferent, for whom, by the way, there is also a good alternative for the evening in the form of a dozen huge and bright casinos that have already become local attractions.
Country status
I have an ambivalent attitude towards the unofficial status of the state of Northern Cyprus. On the one hand, these are complete disadvantages: the absence of embassies, as well as shops and restaurants of the world brands we are familiar with (although I personally am quite content with local ones), inconvenience with mail and flights - both parcels and flights are carried out through Turkey.
However, there are also advantages. In addition to the fact that life is significantly cheaper on the north side, complete safety and tranquility reign here. In the modern world, cobbled together from global problems, these two things are an almost unaffordable luxury. But Northern Cyprus gives this luxury in full: the absence of poverty, one of the lowest crime rates in the world, when people without a second thought leave things outside the door of an apartment or on the street, and the windows of houses and cars are open, because the stuffiness here is a greater threat than the thieves.
Thus, Northern Cyprus for me is an antidote to the bustle, an abode of harmony and peace. He taught me to stop, contemplate, look and slowly enjoy the moment. I like the calm atmosphere of the island, its certain isolation. I like its nature, the ease of existence, where no one and nothing puts pressure on you, except perhaps the unbearable heat in August. Nobody stops you from simply living, not even the state, which is such a rarity these days.
Text – Anna Avlas. Photo – Anna Avlas, depositphotos.com, karinkaabroad.com
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Work in Northern Cyprus
It is difficult to find work in Cyprus, but it is possible. Those who speak Turkish and some foreign language, and those who have their own car receive a special advantage.
You can get a job as a waiter or bartender without any problems at all. The best salaries here are for casino workers; they are called dealers (croupiers). Students are not allowed to work there, and the schedule is difficult, so it is impossible to combine such work with study. Mostly, students get jobs as service staff or find part-time jobs in different offices. Salaries in the north of the island are lower than in the south. For example, in Southern Cyprus the minimum salary is €873, and in Northern Cyprus it is 3,400 Turkish lira, that is, about €452.
When we met Nikita, he was working in one of the most expensive Chinese restaurants. Chinese restaurants in Turkey and Cyprus are classified as luxury; only wealthy people can afford to go there. The salary (1900 Turkish lira, which at that time was equal to approximately £411, and after the collapse of the Turkish lira in the summer of 2021, to this day it is £242) and the work schedule in this place left much to be desired, and the bosses took all the tips for themselves.
He now works as a marketing specialist for a real estate agency, he has a five-day work week from 9:00 to 17:00, and his salary is 3,000 Turkish lira, which is equal to £383.
My first job was also a real estate agency. I was entrusted with managing social networks and being a sales manager (showing people our properties, signing cooperation agreements with agencies). The work schedule was flexible so that I could study at the same time. The salary depended on the number of hours spent in the office, and on average was 1,250 Turkish lira (in 2017 this was £270, and now about £160).
After working for a year and a half, I decided to leave because the company moved out of town, and it was very inconvenient for me to travel in the opposite direction from home and university several times a day. I successfully managed to find a vacancy on Facebook, and for the past year and a half I have been working as an assistant lawyer. My salary is 2200 Turkish lira (£281). I also continue to work with real estate - helping people look for apartments.
Some students work for car rental companies. There are many such companies here. In the off-season, a car per day costs from £12. Russian-speaking girls often get jobs in beauty salons; this area is also very developed here.
Office work is popular: every self-respecting company tries to have a Russian-speaking employee on staff, since a lot of people from the CIS come for study tours, and the Russian-speaking population on the island is growing. Law firms, real estate firms, construction firms, insurance companies - they all offer vacancies to Russian-speaking people, but usually also require knowledge of English, and sometimes English and Turkish.
Many work as consultants in clothing, accessories and stationery stores. I know that some are engaged in transporting people to/from the airport and conducting excursions, but this is illegal. Recently, taxi drivers even staged a riot, blocking the road to the airport, and were indignant that their bread was being taken away by pseudo-taxi drivers who are not registered with the association and work illegally. To work as a guide, you also need to have a special certificate.
Technician repair technicians are highly valued: from mobile phones to air conditioners and washing machines. Specialists in the renovation of apartments and houses are also needed, since Turks and Turkish Cypriots are often unscrupulous and try to profit from visitors. Machine maintenance is another important area. There are a lot of cars on the island, as well as services, but after the Turks broke my windshield while trying to open the crumpled hood after an accident, I only trust a Russian car service center, for which I have to go to Lefkosa (Nicosia).
How many Russians live in Northern Cyprus?
There are more and more Russians in Northern Cyprus. Previously, even tourists were more attracted to Southern Cyprus, but now the situation is changing. The disadvantage of Northern Cyprus is that you can only get to its territory through a transfer at the Turkish airport or by car from Southern Cyprus.
Russians in Northern Cyprus mean all Russian-speaking people who came from the states formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The entire population of the country for 2021 is 313,626 people. It is believed that there are 3.5 thousand Russians permanently staying there, and up to 9 thousand live on short-term visas.
Attitude towards Russians
Previously, when there were not so many Russians, they were looked at with some surprise. Nowadays it is the norm to have a Russian-speaking employee on a company’s staff. Newspapers are published in Russian, and radio stations operate. For Russians, life in Northern Cyprus is gradually changing. Now a training and educational center has been created, which provides an educational program in Russian and English.
Cypriots have different attitudes towards Russians, but, of course, they are more inclined towards friendship. Firstly, Russian tourists spend quite a lot on vacation, which certainly makes local residents happy. Secondly, Russians buy a large amount of real estate, which means they pay taxes. Thirdly, they open businesses and create jobs.
Legalization
How to obtain Northern Cyprus citizenship?
In the fall of 2021, the rules for obtaining citizenship and residence permits have become more stringent, and, unfortunately, there is still no reliable source from where you can find out new amendments to the law. Therefore, the information requires clarification in each specific case.
Previously, there were four ways to obtain Northern Cyprus citizenship:
1. Marriage with a Turkish Cypriot.
To qualify for citizenship through marriage, you must have no criminal record and be married for at least 1 year. This method is one of the most effective, and most Russian-speaking girls in Northern Cyprus received citizenship this way.
2. Major investment in the island.
The minimum investment size must be 1 million euros. If you invest 5 million or more in the economy, you will receive citizenship almost instantly. Typically, investors are involved in the construction of real estate, hotels and casinos. If the investment is not large enough, the investor first receives a residence permit, and only after a while - citizenship.
3. Buying real estate.
You can also obtain citizenship through the purchase of real estate, but this will take time. You must live on the island for 12 years, leaving it no more than 45 days a year, otherwise the countdown begins again.
4. Official employment for 7 years.
Having a work visa and having worked on the island for 7 years, you can apply for citizenship. However, I heard that this method is no longer relevant, and it is impossible to obtain citizenship by presenting 7 work visas.
How to get a residence permit?
The easiest way is to purchase property in Northern Cyprus. But, having a residence permit based on the purchase of real estate, a person does not have the right to work. For this you need a separate work visa, it is opened by the employer. You also cannot work on a student visa. The employer must open a special work student visa, but, to be honest, I have not yet met a person who has such a visa: all my friends work with a simple student visa.
If one family member receives a residence permit, then his family also has the right to apply for a residence permit. Previously, children under 18 years of age and people over 60 were exempt from the need to obtain a residence permit, however, according to the new law, obtaining a residence permit is now mandatory for everyone.
Differences in obtaining a residence permit in Northern and Southern Cyprus:
1. In Northern Cyprus, in order to obtain a residence permit, you can purchase real estate for any amount. In Southern Cyprus you need to buy real estate for 300,000 euros plus VAT (if applicable). In this case, all real estate must be primary, and if you buy two real estate properties for this amount, then they must be purchased from the same developer.
2. In Northern Cyprus, it is enough to provide a certificate from the bank stating that there is $7,000 in the account for each applicant, and the money can be withdrawn the very next day by receiving a bank statement. In Southern Cyprus, you must provide a certificate stating that the applicant’s income is at least 30,000 euros per year (the amount increases by 5,000 for each subsequent family member applying for a residence permit) outside Cyprus (salaries, rental income, bank interest, etc.). ). The applicant must also provide a certificate that he has deposited €30,000 for a period of at least three years, and this amount must come to Cyprus from abroad.
3. In Northern Cyprus, the applicant is not required to confirm in writing that he will not engage in labor activities (a residence permit does not give the right to work). In South Cyprus, applicants must confirm in writing that they will not work, however they have the right to be shareholders of a Cyprus registered company and receive dividends.
Possible problems
Most of the concerns surrounding the purchase of property in Northern Cyprus arose after the famous Orams case. A British couple bought land in Northern Cyprus, built a villa on it, and then a Greek Cypriot showed up with proof that the land belonged to him. By decision of the court of the city of Nicosia, the villa was subject to demolition, and the Greek Cypriot was paid compensation.
To avoid similar incidents in the future, the Turkish Cypriots have formed a compensation committee where Greek Cypriots can apply and receive monetary compensation for their land, so that such precedents will not arise again.
There were rumors that if a person has a student, work visa or residence permit, he will not be able to cross the border from South to North. My family and I checked it out personally. My dad has a residence permit, my mom has a work visa, and I have a student visa, and we go shopping in Southern Cyprus without any problems. Of course, we cannot cross the border at any time: we are allowed to stay on the territory of Southern Cyprus for no more than 90 days every six months.
Features of obtaining citizenship in Northern Cyprus
The authorities are interested in preserving the established way of life and standard of living of citizens. A resident of the TRNC who has lived in the country for seven years has the right to obtain citizenship of Northern Cyprus in the absence of violations of current legislation. Foreigners rarely take advantage of this opportunity, since the new passport is not recognized by the international community.
Citizenship of Turkish Cyprus can be awarded in the form of gratitude for a special contribution to the financial, economic, and political development of the republic.
Why is it good to live in Northern Cyprus?
Welcoming and friendly people
Passers-by here are always smiling; in the supermarket they will definitely ask you how you are doing and help you with translation. Unfortunately, few Turks and Turkish Cypriots speak English, so communication can sometimes be difficult. During the three and a half years of living here, I learned Turkish at a basic level, although my friends from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and other countries where Turkic languages are spoken were able to master the language faster. Many girls from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, dating Turks, know the language almost perfectly, but my entire environment consists of Russian or English speaking people, so I simply do not need to learn it, although this would be an advantage in employment.
Nature
Many agencies write that Cyprus has 300 sunny days a year, and this is true! There is no autumn here, only two springs. After the hot summer, the rainy season comes, and everything around blooms and smells until next summer. It is very hot here in summer. We exist only thanks to air conditioning at work, at home and in the car. And of course, the sea saves. Summer in Cyprus is from May to October-November. We usually close the swimming season in early to mid-November and open in mid-May. But in May the water is not entirely comfortable for swimming.
Food
Fresh vegetables and fruits all year round. I don’t know why, but in Cyprus there are no cherries on sale at all, only sweet cherries. Therefore, when I really want sour berries, I buy them frozen. Many exotic fruits on the shelves here are imported in the same way as in the CIS, so the prices for pineapple, passion fruit and papaya are sky-high.
But Cyprus has very tasty potatoes. It is grown in clay. A resident of Great Britain told me that in England Cypriot potatoes are considered the most delicious and are more expensive than other varieties.
You may think that here we don’t have enough cottage cheese, kefir, homemade sunflower oil, and this is true. But over the past two years, the Russian community has grown so much that a Russian store has been opened in Northern Cyprus, where they produce their own smoked meats, bake Borodino bread, make kefir, sour cream, dumplings and much more.
Others began to transport products from Southern Cyprus. There are more Russian shops there, and weekly ferries arrive there with boiled sausage, canned food and even rolled oats, although you can buy locally produced oatmeal in any store. Handywomen bake and fry pies with meat, cabbage and potatoes, and make tubes with boiled condensed milk. For Easter you can buy Easter cakes and Easter cakes from them. For New Year - order vinaigrette and Olivier.
Russian community
She's just huge here. Many live speaking only Russian and feel great. A manicure can be done in a Russian salon, a Turkmen man works in water delivery, with whom you can also communicate, the company that provides the Internet always has at least one Russian-speaking employee, and I am generally silent about the number of Russian restaurants specifically in Kyrenia. What can we say if I myself work in a law firm, and 50% of our clients are Russian-speaking. The remaining 45% are Europeans, and another 5% are Turkish.
