TRNC Offers Amnesty for Foreigners
The “Decree Having the Force of Law on the Regulation of Certain Rules in the Law on Foreigners and Immigration (Amendment)” was published in the Official Gazette and has come into effect.
Under this decree, Abubakar Uthman, a well-known figure in Lefkoşa who has been in the country illegally since 2008 and gained social media attention following his arrest, can remain in the TRNC if he pays a fine equal to one month’s gross minimum wage.
The decree’s general justification states that it applies to various groups, including those under or over 18 in the SOS Children’s Village or under state protection, individuals who have left the SOS Children’s Village, those penalized for lacking a residence permit, children under 18 who have been sentenced, disabled persons as defined by the Residence Permits and Visas Regulation, and those abroad with family ties in TRNC whose entry has been previously prevented.
The regulation allows these groups to be exempt from the remainder of their penalties if they pay a fine of 10% of one month’s gross minimum wage, without the condition of having been penalized after January 1, 2021, as per Law No. 61/2024 on Foreigners and Immigration (Amendment).
Those penalized for lacking a residence permit can pay a fine equal to one month’s gross minimum wage to be exempt from the rest of the fine, irrespective of when they were penalized.
Additionally, individuals abroad with family ties in TRNC who were prevented from entering the country will be exempt from the remainder of their sentence by paying a fine equal to one month’s gross minimum wage, again without the date restriction.
Eligible individuals must apply and make the necessary payments in accordance with the rules specified in the Foreigners and Immigration (Amendment) Law No. 61/2024 during the amnesty period. This decree aims to prevent the loss of state income and facilitate the collection of accumulated fines.
This Decree with the Force of Law has been prepared under Article 112 of the Constitution due to its economic implications and urgency, as the Assembly of the Republic is currently in recess.
