Immigration Amnesty Now in Effect in the TRNC

As of August 5, an immigration amnesty has officially begun in Northern Cyprus. The initiative aims “to register undocumented workers and strengthen the country's economy."

The amendments to the Foreigners and Immigration Law represent a key effort to address issues related to undocumented labor.

Under the new law, foreign nationals who became illegal immigrants in the country after January 1, 2021, can benefit from the amnesty, provided they engage in employment and pay a fine equivalent to the minimum wage.

Applications can be submitted online through the official Ministry of Interior website at www.icisleri.gov.ct.tr by selecting the “Immigration Amnesty” option. The amnesty will take effect after an investigation by the security services.

Once the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior reviews the applications, they will be approved “if there are no threats to public safety.” The information will then be sent to the Ministry of Labor’s portal to facilitate work permit procedures.

Applicants must pay the minimum wage to the tax authority within 10 days after their application is approved by the Ministry of Labor to qualify for the amnesty. If work permit procedures are not completed within 60 days, previous immigration fines for foreigners will still apply.

The amnesty is expected to last 45 days and is anticipated to affect approximately 4,000 people, most of whom are university students.

This regulation is expected to “contribute to the integration of undocumented workers, promote economic development, strengthen the social security system, and ensure fair and equitable rules in the labor market.”