Bill in the TRNC to pave the way to citizenship for those issued an identity card before 1999

A bill has been submitted to the Republican Assembly of the TRNC that would allow everyone who was issued an identity card before 1999 and can document permanent residence in Northern Cyprus to obtain a citizenship certificate. Currently, this right is available only to those who were identified before 27 May 1993.

The bill amends Citizenship Law No. 25/1993: the current provisional Article 1 will be repealed and replaced with a new one. The certificate will be issued retroactively, from the date on which the person first received an identity card.

The provision was made necessary by the previous procedure for issuing documents. Until 27 May 1993, identity cards in Northern Cyprus were issued to children aged 12 and over. Those who had not yet turned twelve by that date did not have time to obtain the document and were not covered by the current provision.

Applications will need to be submitted to the Migration Department (Muhaceret Dairesi), together with proof of permanent residence. The application period will be 10 years from the date the law enters into force.

The consequences for those who fail to meet this deadline are set out separately: the Population Registry Department will be able to cancel their existing identity cards. The bill does not specify how many people will fall under the new provision.