Cyprus Turkish Cypriots visiting the south

Metin · new member

Am a Turkish Cypriot from London(and born in London)who is due to visit the south of Cyprus in August with a Greek Cypriot friend.
My question is will I need a exit visa to leave?My friend was asked for when last time he visited,although I don't think he was previously asked for one on his visits prior to last year.

iceman · lecturer

The reason your Greek Cypriot friend was asked an exit visa on his previous visit was probably due to military obligation in ROC as a male GC.(i am presuming his male)
As a TC,this should not cause any concern to you because TC's are not expected to fulfill military service in south Cyprus,but if you decide to visit north,you might have similar problems from the authorities up there.

bill cobbett · lecturer

Welcome to the Forum Metin.

If you're arriving, staying in, leaving the Free Areas with a GB (other EU) passport, you'll have no need of visas. As Iceman says above some gr Cy males (even if they were born and lived overseas) need an exit permit from the RoC Ministry Of Defence to leave.

If you're visiting the Occupied North you would do well to find out if you would be obliged to have a corresponding exit permit from the Occupation Authority. Would take the liberty of urging you not to go north without inquiring as to the military service situation.

Enjoy your stay.

halil · professor

Metin enjoy your holidays in Cyprus .To visit north you will not have any problem .here is the some questions and answers for you and others at your stage . it is taken from offical web page of the Turkish Cypriots security forces link . if you can read Turkish and get idea .

http://www.mucahit.net/

İf you stay more than 90 days at Northern part of the island they can asked you about military service .

T.R.N.C. CONSTITUTION, CITIZENSHIP LAW, 59/2000 MILITARY SERVICE LAW
BRIEF INFORMATION

QUESTION 1. WHICH CITIZENS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE ACCORDING TO THE T.R.N.C. CONSTITUTION?

ANSWER 1. ACCORDING TO THE T.R.N.C. CONSTITUTION EVERY T.R.N.C. CITIZEN IS ELIGIBLE FOR MILITARY SERVICE.

QUESTION 2 .WHICH PERSONS ARE CONSIDERED AS T.R.N.C. CITIZENS ACCORDING TO THE T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP LAW?

ANSWER 2. THOSE BORN IN THE T.R.N.C. OR IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND HAVING;
A. TURKISH CYPRIOT MOTHER, TURKISH CYPRIOT FATHER OR
B. TURKISH CYPRIOT MOTHER, ALIEN FATHER OR
C. ALIEN MOTHER, TURKISH CYPRIOT FATHER, ARE T.R.N.C. CITIZENS.

QUESTION 3.HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE THE T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP?

ANSWER 3.YOU ACQUIRE THE T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH. THERE IS NO NEED FOR AN APPLICATION AND NO NEED TO HAVE A T.R.N.C. IDENTITY CARD TO ACQUIRE THE T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP.

QUESTION 4.CAN A PERSON WHO HAS NOT DONE MILITARY SERVICE LOOSE HIS T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP?

ANSWER 4.
A. THOSE PERSONS BORN OUTSIDE THE T.R.N.C. AND WHO HAVE BEEN RESIDENT ABROAD UNTIL THE AGE OF 18, HAVING ACCOMPLISHED THEIR MILITARY SERVICE BEFORE THE AGE OF 21, CAN APPLY TO THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR SO AS TO GIVE UP THEIR CITIZENSHIP BEFORE THE AGE OF 21. IF THESE PERSONS HAVE NOT ACCOMPLISHED THEIR MILITARY SERVICE UNTIL THE AGE OF 21, THEY CANNOT GIVE UP THEIR T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP.
B. THOSE BORN ABROAD BUT WHO ARE RESIDENT IN THE T.R.N.C. CAN NOT GIVE UP THEIR T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP WITHOUT COMPLETING THEIR MILITARY SERVICE.
C. THOSE BORN IN THE T.R.N.C. CAN NOT GIVE UP THEIR T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP WITHOUT COMPLETING THEIR MILITARY SERVICE.

QUESTION 5. HOW IS MILITARY SERVICE DONE? WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE MILITARY SERVICE?

ANSWER 5. MILITARY SEVICE CAN BE DONE;
A. AS A PRIVATE, SERVICE DURATION IS 15 MONTHS
B. AS A RESERVE OFFICER, SERVICE DURATION IS 12 MONTHS
C. AS A RESERVE SERGEANT, SERVICE DURATION IS 12 MONTHS
D. SHORT TERM PAYABLE MILITARY SERVICE’S DURATION IS 8 MONTHS
E. UNDER A SPECIAL STATUS ( PAID AND/OR SHORT DURATION)
F. UNDER A SPECIAL STATUS DUE TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

QUESTION 6. WHO ARE SUBJECT TO AND WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF THE SPECIAL STATUS SERVICE ( PAID AND/OR SHORT DURATION)?

ANSWER 6. THOSE BORN ABROAD OF MOTHERS AND FATHERS OF TURKISH CYPRIOT ORIGIN, OR RESIDENT OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES TILL THE AGE OF MILITARY SERVICE (EXPECT THE ONES RESIDING IN TURKEY WITH DUAL T.R.N.C. AND TURKISH CITIZENSHIP) AND T.R.N.C. CITIZENS WHO LEFT THE T.R.N.C. WITH THEIR PARENTS BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THEIR TWELVETH YEAR OF AGE AND RESIDENT IN A FOREIGN CONTRY TILL THEIR AGE OF MILITARY SERVICE (EXCEPT THE ONES RESIDING IN TURKEY WITH A DUAL T.R.N.C. AND TURKISH CITIZENSHIP).

PERSONS FALLING TO THIS CATHEGORY CAN FULFILL THEIR MILITARY SERVICE BY;
A. PAYING 4000 STG. (STERLING)
B. PAYING 2000 STG. (STERLING), PLUS ONE MONTH MILITARY SERVICE.
C. THOSE CITIZENS RETURNING BACK FORM ABROAD WITH THE AIM
OF RESETTELING IN THE T.R.N.C. UNDER THE AGE OF 31, HAS TO DO
MILITARY SERVICE FOR 8 MONTHS.
D.THOSE CITIZENS RETURNING BACK FROM ABROAD WITH THE AIM OF
RESETTLING IN THE T.R.N.C. ABOVE THE AGE OF 31 HAS TO DO MILITARY
SERVICE FOR 4 MONTHS.

QUESTION 7.THE WHOM IS THE HIGHER EDUCATION SPECIAL STATUS MILITARY SERVICE APPLICABLE AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS?

ANSWER 7. ALL THOSE WHO WERE THE CITIZENS OF THE T.R.N.C. AT THE AGE OF MILITARY SERVICE WHO HAVE COMPLETED AN UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME OF AT LEAST 3 YEARS AND WHO HAVE SYSTEMATICALLY ON A YEARLY BASES POSTPONED THEIR MILITARY SERVICE BY THE “ASAL ŞUBE” AND HAVE WORKED FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 4 YEARS ABROAD AT THE END of theır hıgher educaıon these persons can accomplısh theır mılıtary sERVICE BY PAYING 4000 STG. (STERLING) PLUS DOING MILITARY SERVICE FOR ONE MONTH. HOWEVER, UNDER THE CONDITION OF GRADUATING, THE YEARS SPEND FOR POST GRADUATE STUDIES ABROAD ARE CONSIDERED AS YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT ABROAD.

QUESTION8. HOW LONG CAN CITIZENS WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO BE UNDER THE SPECIAL MILITARY SERVICE STATUS AND HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS ABROAD CAN STAY IN THE T.R.N.C. PRIOR TO THEIR ROLL-CALL FOR SERVICE?

ANSWER 8. THEY CAN STAY A PERIOD OF MAXIMUM 90 DAYS DURING EACH CALENDAR YEAR IN THE T.R.N.C.

QUESTION 9. HOW CAN YOU APPLY FOR THE SPECIAL MILITARY SERVICE?

ANSWER 9. A. PERSONALLY, JUST AFTER HAVING RETURNED TO THE T.R.N.C. OR BY A WRITTEN APPLICATION HANDED OVER BY YOUR FAMILY TO THE “ASAL ŞUBE” ATTACHED TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES.
B. BY A WRITTEN APPLICATION ADDRESSED TO THE REPRESENTATION OFFICES OF THE T.R.N.C. IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

halil · professor

Metin enjoy your holidays in Cyprus .To visit north you will not have any problem .here is the some questions and answers for you and others at your stage . it is taken from offical web page of the Turkish Cypriots security forces link . if you can read Turkish and get idea .

http://www.mucahit.net/

İf you stay more than 90 days at Northern part of the island they can asked you about military service .

T.R.N.C. CONSTITUTION, CITIZENSHIP LAW, 59/2000 MILITARY SERVICE LAW
BRIEF INFORMATION

QUESTION 1. WHICH CITIZENS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE ACCORDING TO THE T.R.N.C. CONSTITUTION?

ANSWER 1. ACCORDING TO THE T.R.N.C. CONSTITUTION EVERY T.R.N.C. CITIZEN IS ELIGIBLE FOR MILITARY SERVICE.

QUESTION 2 .WHICH PERSONS ARE CONSIDERED AS T.R.N.C. CITIZENS ACCORDING TO THE T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP LAW?

ANSWER 2. THOSE BORN IN THE T.R.N.C. OR IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND HAVING;
A. TURKISH CYPRIOT MOTHER, TURKISH CYPRIOT FATHER OR
B. TURKISH CYPRIOT MOTHER, ALIEN FATHER OR
C. ALIEN MOTHER, TURKISH CYPRIOT FATHER, ARE T.R.N.C. CITIZENS.

QUESTION 3.HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE THE T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP?

ANSWER 3.YOU ACQUIRE THE T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH. THERE IS NO NEED FOR AN APPLICATION AND NO NEED TO HAVE A T.R.N.C. IDENTITY CARD TO ACQUIRE THE T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP.

QUESTION 4.CAN A PERSON WHO HAS NOT DONE MILITARY SERVICE LOOSE HIS T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP?

ANSWER 4.
A. THOSE PERSONS BORN OUTSIDE THE T.R.N.C. AND WHO HAVE BEEN RESIDENT ABROAD UNTIL THE AGE OF 18, HAVING ACCOMPLISHED THEIR MILITARY SERVICE BEFORE THE AGE OF 21, CAN APPLY TO THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR SO AS TO GIVE UP THEIR CITIZENSHIP BEFORE THE AGE OF 21. IF THESE PERSONS HAVE NOT ACCOMPLISHED THEIR MILITARY SERVICE UNTIL THE AGE OF 21, THEY CANNOT GIVE UP THEIR T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP.
B. THOSE BORN ABROAD BUT WHO ARE RESIDENT IN THE T.R.N.C. CAN NOT GIVE UP THEIR T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP WITHOUT COMPLETING THEIR MILITARY SERVICE.
C. THOSE BORN IN THE T.R.N.C. CAN NOT GIVE UP THEIR T.R.N.C. CITIZENSHIP WITHOUT COMPLETING THEIR MILITARY SERVICE.

QUESTION 5. HOW IS MILITARY SERVICE DONE? WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE MILITARY SERVICE?

ANSWER 5. MILITARY SEVICE CAN BE DONE;
A. AS A PRIVATE, SERVICE DURATION IS 15 MONTHS
B. AS A RESERVE OFFICER, SERVICE DURATION IS 12 MONTHS
C. AS A RESERVE SERGEANT, SERVICE DURATION IS 12 MONTHS
D. SHORT TERM PAYABLE MILITARY SERVICE’S DURATION IS 8 MONTHS
E. UNDER A SPECIAL STATUS ( PAID AND/OR SHORT DURATION)
F. UNDER A SPECIAL STATUS DUE TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

QUESTION 6. WHO ARE SUBJECT TO AND WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF THE SPECIAL STATUS SERVICE ( PAID AND/OR SHORT DURATION)?

ANSWER 6. THOSE BORN ABROAD OF MOTHERS AND FATHERS OF TURKISH CYPRIOT ORIGIN, OR RESIDENT OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES TILL THE AGE OF MILITARY SERVICE (EXPECT THE ONES RESIDING IN TURKEY WITH DUAL T.R.N.C. AND TURKISH CITIZENSHIP) AND T.R.N.C. CITIZENS WHO LEFT THE T.R.N.C. WITH THEIR PARENTS BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THEIR TWELVETH YEAR OF AGE AND RESIDENT IN A FOREIGN CONTRY TILL THEIR AGE OF MILITARY SERVICE (EXCEPT THE ONES RESIDING IN TURKEY WITH A DUAL T.R.N.C. AND TURKISH CITIZENSHIP).

PERSONS FALLING TO THIS CATHEGORY CAN FULFILL THEIR MILITARY SERVICE BY;
A. PAYING 4000 STG. (STERLING)
B. PAYING 2000 STG. (STERLING), PLUS ONE MONTH MILITARY SERVICE.
C. THOSE CITIZENS RETURNING BACK FORM ABROAD WITH THE AIM
OF RESETTELING IN THE T.R.N.C. UNDER THE AGE OF 31, HAS TO DO
MILITARY SERVICE FOR 8 MONTHS.
D.THOSE CITIZENS RETURNING BACK FROM ABROAD WITH THE AIM OF
RESETTLING IN THE T.R.N.C. ABOVE THE AGE OF 31 HAS TO DO MILITARY
SERVICE FOR 4 MONTHS.

QUESTION 7.THE WHOM IS THE HIGHER EDUCATION SPECIAL STATUS MILITARY SERVICE APPLICABLE AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS?

ANSWER 7. ALL THOSE WHO WERE THE CITIZENS OF THE T.R.N.C. AT THE AGE OF MILITARY SERVICE WHO HAVE COMPLETED AN UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME OF AT LEAST 3 YEARS AND WHO HAVE SYSTEMATICALLY ON A YEARLY BASES POSTPONED THEIR MILITARY SERVICE BY THE “ASAL ŞUBE” AND HAVE WORKED FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 4 YEARS ABROAD AT THE END of theır hıgher educaıon these persons can accomplısh theır mılıtary sERVICE BY PAYING 4000 STG. (STERLING) PLUS DOING MILITARY SERVICE FOR ONE MONTH. HOWEVER, UNDER THE CONDITION OF GRADUATING, THE YEARS SPEND FOR POST GRADUATE STUDIES ABROAD ARE CONSIDERED AS YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT ABROAD.

QUESTION8. HOW LONG CAN CITIZENS WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO BE UNDER THE SPECIAL MILITARY SERVICE STATUS AND HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS ABROAD CAN STAY IN THE T.R.N.C. PRIOR TO THEIR ROLL-CALL FOR SERVICE?

ANSWER 8. THEY CAN STAY A PERIOD OF MAXIMUM 90 DAYS DURING EACH CALENDAR YEAR IN THE T.R.N.C.

QUESTION 9. HOW CAN YOU APPLY FOR THE SPECIAL MILITARY SERVICE?

ANSWER 9. A. PERSONALLY, JUST AFTER HAVING RETURNED TO THE T.R.N.C. OR BY A WRITTEN APPLICATION HANDED OVER BY YOUR FAMILY TO THE “ASAL ŞUBE” ATTACHED TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES.
B. BY A WRITTEN APPLICATION ADDRESSED TO THE REPRESENTATION OFFICES OF THE T.R.N.C. IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

Metin · new member

well thanks for that everyone

tayl0r · advanced member

What about army in Cyprus? My father is from cyprus, i was born in england. If i stay for 3 months i will have to do the army?

iceman · lecturer

tayl0r · advanced member

No, my father is greek cypriot. Ignore the turkish side for my situation.

iceman · lecturer