Refugee and Humanitarian Visa in Northern Cyprus — How to Obtain Protection and a Special Visa

Due to wars, political crises, and humanitarian disasters, more and more people are seeking safety outside their home countries. Northern Cyprus is not part of the EU and is not recognized by most states; however, there are mechanisms for humanitarian protection and special visas for those for whom returning home is dangerous. Below, we will explain the difference between a “refugee visa” and a humanitarian residence permit, how to apply, and who can assist with the documents.

• Refugee Visa in Northern Cyprus
• Humanitarian Visa and Humanitarian Residence Permit
• Assistance with Visa Matters in Northern Cyprus

Refugee Visa in Northern Cyprus

There is no formal “classic” refugee status according to the European model in Northern Cyprus, but local legislation provides for a special annual visa that may be issued to foreigners in exceptional cases.

The essence of this visa: the officials of the Ministry of Interior of Northern Cyprus have the authority to grant a special 1-year visa to a foreigner who “faces difficulties in humanitarian terms” if they were to return to their home country.

This visa entitles the holder to:

• access to public healthcare facilities;
• official employment;
• use of public educational services — including free kindergarten and school for children.

For the authorities to consider granting such a visa, it is necessary to submit a written application to the Ministry of Interior of Northern Cyprus.

The application should ideally include:

• Full name and nationality of the applicant (all family members can be included in a single application);
• a brief but clear description of the situation and the reasons why returning home is dangerous or impossible;
• a direct request for a refugee visa (special visa) for 1 year;
• contact information: phone number, address in Northern Cyprus, email address.

Form and language of the application:

• the application must be written in Turkish;
• in the recipient field, indicate: “İçişleri Bakanlığı – Lefkoşa”;
• be sure to make a copy of the submitted document and ensure it is stamped as received.

There is also the Refugee Rights Association in Northern Cyprus, which assists applicants in preparing documents, including the application to the Ministry of Interior and materials for a preliminary meeting with UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). Through UNHCR, one can seek recognition of refugee status in an international context, while the local association helps correctly describe the situation and collect documents.

Humanitarian Visa and Humanitarian Residence Permit

Humanitarian visa and humanitarian residence permit in Northern Cyprus are suitable for citizens of countries experiencing armed conflict or severe humanitarian situations. This is a separate type of residence permit, distinct from standard grounds (property ownership, employment, studies).

For example, during the war in Ukraine, its citizens were able to obtain a humanitarian visa in Northern Cyprus. When applying for a residence permit, you need to select the appropriate type in the electronic system: İnsani İkamet İzni / Humanitarian Residence Permit and follow the document list generated by the system for your specific situation.

Key feature of the humanitarian residence permit: financial requirements are significantly more lenient. Funds must be available in the account, but in this case, there is no strict minimum threshold as with residence permits for property or high income — the focus is on humanitarian circumstances rather than the amount of money.

For consultation on refugee and humanitarian issues, you can contact a specialized organization in Northern Cyprus:

• Contact phone: +90 548 830 04 64, email: [email protected].

You can send the organization a copy of your application to the Ministry of Interior (as well as a photo or scan of the submitted application with the stamp, if it has already been filed). The Refugee Rights Association has translators on staff, so you can describe your situation in any language convenient for you.

• Association website

Assistance with Visa Matters in Northern Cyprus

If you want to obtain a residence permit in Northern Cyprus without unnecessary mistakes or problems, or are unsure whether a humanitarian visa is suitable for you, it is best to seek professional legal assistance.

Contact our partner — the law firm DeJure.

DeJure specialists can help:

• assess your migration situation and advise whether application on humanitarian grounds is possible;
• prepare the application and supporting documents for the Ministry of Interior of Northern Cyprus;
• understand the nuances of “refugee” status and humanitarian residence permits specifically in an unrecognized state;
• obtain an initial residence permit or extend an existing one without fines or delays;
• facilitate interactions with relevant organizations if your case involves humanitarian protection.

Phone: +90 539 119 05 55
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