Exit rules for residence permit statuses 20%, 50%, and 60% — Northern Cyprus 2026

If you are at the 20% stage, leaving Northern Cyprus before visiting the police is not allowed. At 50%, leaving is possible, but the Residency Permit process will need to be completed after your return (typically, around 14 days are allocated for tests and payments). At 60%, travel is permitted: if less than 60 days have passed since the police appointment, usually it is enough to show the 60% status screen at the control; if more than 60 days have passed, it is recommended to finalize the current stage through the Ministry of Interior in Nicosia before leaving. Valid as of January 14, 2026.

This material explains how to navigate the percentages of the Residency Permit status in Northern Cyprus and what to prepare for travel so that the process does not “freeze” until your return.

• Residency Permit Progress
• Conditions for Leaving the Island
• Quick Table: When Travel Is Allowed
• Glossary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• If You Need Help with Residency Permit in Northern Cyprus

Residency Permit Progress

In the personal account of the Residency Permit system in Northern Cyprus, the application status is displayed in percentages. Each percent corresponds to a specific stage of the process and a set of actions required from the applicant.

• 20% — documents submitted online, police appointment (randevu) not yet completed.
• 50% — police appointment completed, document package accepted.
• 60% — insurance and tests paid, tests completed.
• 70% — test results pending or received, next step is payment of the Residency Permit fee.
• 100% — Residency Permit fee paid (final payment stage completed).

Conditions for Leaving the Island

Travel rules depend on the percentage status of your application in your personal account. In practice, border control needs to see that the process is active and that you have not “fallen behind” in the stage deadlines.

Travel at 20%

Standard rule: after submitting documents online and before visiting the police (status 20%), leaving Northern Cyprus is not allowed. If travel is necessary for a documented reason (e.g., medical trip), the issue is usually resolved by accelerating the police appointment to move the application to 50% before the departure date.

Travel at 50%

At 50% (after document acceptance at the police), travel is possible. The Residency Permit process will continue after your return. Keep in mind that a limited window is usually allocated for insurance and tests (often around 14 days), so many try to first reach 60%.

Travel at 60%

If you are at 60% and less than 60 days have passed since the police appointment, usually no additional steps are required: showing the 60% progress screen in your personal account at border control is sufficient.

If you are at 60% and more than 60 days have passed since the randevu, it is recommended to complete the current step (or clarify the status) through the Ministry of Interior in Nicosia before departure. Otherwise, the process may be postponed until your return.

How to Do This

1. Open your personal account on the Residency Permit portal and check the current percentage and police appointment date.
2. Take a screenshot/printout of the status page (percentage, application number, submission/appointment date).
3. If more than 60 days have passed since the randevu and the status is stuck at 60%, visit the Ministry of Interior in Nicosia to clarify the reason for the delay and confirm next steps before departure.
4. When traveling, keep with you the status screenshot, application number, and copies of key documents and payment receipts (if already made).

Quick Table: When Travel Is Allowed

Glossary

• Residency Permit (ВНЖ) — permission to reside in Northern Cyprus, processed through the portal and stages (percentages) with police visits and medical procedures.
• Residence Permit Portal — official online portal where the application is created and progress is tracked by percentage.
• Randevu — scheduled police visit for submitting the physical document package for the Residency Permit application.
• Status 20% / 50% / 60% — stages of application processing: from online submission to tests and insurance payment.
• Ministry of Interior (Nicosia) — agency to contact if the process is delayed or status clarification is needed before travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave Northern Cyprus at 20%?

No. At 20% you have not yet attended the police appointment, and travel before this step is usually not allowed.

Can I leave at 50% and complete the process later?

Yes. At 50% you can travel and continue the process after returning, but it is important to consider the window for next steps (insurance/tests) so as not to miss the stage deadline.

What to show at the border if I am at 60%?

Usually, showing the personal account screen with 60% status and application number is sufficient. It is helpful to have a saved screenshot in case of connectivity issues.

What if 60% is “stuck” and more than 60 days have passed since the randevu?

Before traveling, it is recommended to contact the Ministry of Interior in Nicosia to clarify the reason for the delay and confirm further actions for the application.

Where is the Residency Permit application submitted in Northern Cyprus?

Online registration and document upload are usually done via the Residence Permit Portal, while the physical document package is submitted at the police randevu.

Which documents should I carry when traveling?

Screenshot/printout of the status with application number, copies of submitted documents, payment receipts (if payments were made), and passport.

If You Need Help with Residency Permit in Northern Cyprus

You can contact our legal partner — DeJure — for consultation with a licensed lawyer in Northern Cyprus.

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