New Immigration Law Amendment in TRNC Takes Immediate Effect

“The Decree Having the Force of Law on the Regulation of Certain Rules in the Law No. 61/2024 on Foreigners and Immigration (Amendment)” has been published in the Official Gazette, taking immediate effect.

The Official Gazette, dated August 27, 2024, and numbered 176, notes that “the Council of Ministers of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, under the authority granted by Article 112 of the Constitution,” enacted this Decree with the Force of Law.

For individuals penalized and barred from entering the country due to reasons outlined in the decree, it is specified that “they are encouraged to apply within the remaining period under the Foreigners and Immigration (Amendment) Law No. 61/2024 to benefit from the amendment law’s provisions, without the requirement of ‘having been penalized after January 1, 2021’ as stated in the law.”

The Decree Having the Force of Law addresses the following situations as outlined in the Official Gazette:

• Individuals in the country without a residence permit must pay a fine equal to one month’s gross minimum wage and will be exempt from the remaining fine, without the ‘penalized after January 1, 2021’ requirement from Law No. 61/2024 on Foreigners and Immigration (Amendment).

Affected individuals must apply and pay according to other rules specified in Article 26 of the Foreigners and Immigration (Amendment) Law No. 61/2024 within the amnesty period.

The regulation applies to those penalized lacking a residence permit, exempting them from fines beyond one month’s gross minimum wage, regardless of penalties after January 1, 2021.

Similarly, those abroad with family ties in the TRNC, prevented from entering after being found without permission, will have fines reduced to one month’s gross minimum wage, exempt from further penalties.

Applicants must adhere to the rules in the Foreigners and Immigration (Amendment) Law No. 61/2024 during the amnesty period to avoid revenue loss and ensure fine collection.

This Decree Law has been issued due to its economic implications and urgency under Article 112 of the Constitution, as the Assembly of the Republic is currently in recess, preventing immediate legislative approval.