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About North Cyprus · Government offices

Government offices in North Cyprus, by task

As of 28 October 2026, the TRNC government's own pages divide residence, property, work, company, customs, vehicle, health and education matters among separate ministries and departments. This page maps those offices by task, drawing on the Ministry of Interior's online-services and district-governor pages, the Prime Ministry's agency directory, the Public Information Office FAQ and department sites. Each card gives the name as printed and what the page says. Confirm procedures and fees directly. NORTHEA is not a government agency; this is informational, not legal advice.

Information as of 28 October 2026, from the sources named in the text and listed below. Positions of parties are attributed to them.

Residence, visas and immigration. AI visual concept
AI visual concept

Residence, visas and immigration

According to the Public Information Office (KKTC Enformasyon Dairesi) FAQ, the question of how to obtain a visitor (residence) permit is answered by a link to the Immigration Department's permits page (muhaceretdairesi.gov.ct.tr/ikamet/izinler), and visa questions by a link to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa section. The Ministry of Interior's online-services page lists a residence-permit service, student permission, an immigration online appointment, an eVisa and a visa extension. Permit categories and the law cited are summarised on residence permits: official sources.

The Immigration Department's General Information page says that foreigners who stay beyond the visa period or for more than 90 days must obtain a residence permit ("ikamet izni almaları zorunludur"). Arrival questions are covered on how to get to North Cyprus.

  • ministry

    İçişleri Bakanlığı online işlemler (Ministry of Interior online services)

    The page titled ONLİNE İŞLEMLER lists seven services by title: İkamet İzinleri / Residence Permit, Öğrenci İzinleri / Student Permission, Muhaceret Online Randevu / Immigration Online Appointment, Taşınmaz Mal / Property Permission, Online eVize / eVisa Online, Vize Süre Uzatma / Visa Extension and Sosyal Konut Başvuru / Social Housing Application. It gives no descriptions beyond the titles.

    Source: icisleri.gov.ct.tr

  • department

    Muhaceret Dairesi (Immigration Department)

    The page sits under İçişleri Bakanlığı and covers residence permits for foreigners: when a permit is required, passport validity, exemptions and the application process. It states that applications will be made online if the Department's website offers that option. No address, phone or hours are printed on it.

    Source: icisleri.gov.ct.tr

  • online service

    TRNC e-Visa Services (Migration Management System)

    The portal's header names the TRNC Directorate of Immigration as operator. It offers New Application, Application Tracking and Payment, and lists Tourism, Student and Other Visa Types as categories, saying the required information and documents vary by visa type.

    Source: kktc-evize.gov.ct.tr

  • ministry

    Dışişleri Bakanlığı (TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

    Under Consular Information the site lists Visa Regulations, Missions Abroad, Honorary Representatives, Foreign Missions in TRNC and other consular services. The page titled Visa Regulations carries navigation and a link to the eVisa application rather than visa rules, so confirm requirements on the eVisa portal or with the Ministry.

    Source: mfa.gov.ct.tr

  • consular

    Foreign missions in the TRNC (KKTC'deki yabancı misyonlar)

    The Ministry page lists the foreign offices it names in Lefkoşa, among them the Turkish Embassy, the USA Ambassadorship Office, the British High Commission Office, an Italy visa information desk, the German embassy information office, the Australia High Commission Office and the EU Programme Support Office.

    Source: mfa.gov.ct.tr

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Property permission and land registry

According to the Public Information Office FAQ, the question "KKTC'de taşınmaz mal satın alabilir miyim?" (can I buy immovable property in the TRNC) is answered with a link to the Ministry of Interior's Taşınmaz Mal Birimi (Property Unit) page. The Ministry's online-services page lists a separate "Taşınmaz Mal / Property Permission" service.

A Property Unit notice dated 14 November 2022 says that foreign nationals can file applications to buy immovable property online, through the applicant, a lawyer or a person holding power of attorney, after registering in the system. The notice is from 2022 and may no longer be current, so confirm the present procedure directly. The Prime Ministry document-system directory lists the Tapu ve Kadastro Dairesi under the Interior Ministry with district title-deed offices (Kaza Tapu Amirlikleri) in Girne, Güzelyurt, İskele, Lefkoşa and Mağusa. This page maps offices only; it does not describe a buying procedure.

  • unit

    Taşınmaz Mal Birimi (Property Unit), İçişleri Bakanlığı

    The notice is titled "İçişleri Bakanlığı Taşınmaz Mal Biriminden Önemli Duyuru" and dated 14 November 2022. It says online applications for foreign nationals began that day through the Ministry's website and require prior registration in the system.

    Source: icisleri.gov.ct.tr

  • online service

    Taşınmaz Mal / Property Permission (tmb.icisleri.gov.ct.tr)

    The Interior Ministry's online-services page lists this service by title and links it to tmb.icisleri.gov.ct.tr. The online-services page gives no description of it.

    Source: icisleri.gov.ct.tr

  • department

    Tapu ve Kadastro Dairesi Müdürlüğü (Land Registry and Cadastre)

    The site's title names the Tapu ve Kadastro Dairesi Müdürlüğü; no English name is printed. Its home page carries news items, including an announcement on new title-deed procedures, and a legislation menu. It prints no address, phone or hours on the page read.

    Source: tapu.gov.ct.tr

  • directory

    Kaza Tapu Amirlikleri (district title-deed offices)

    The Prime Ministry document-system directory lists Girne, Güzelyurt, İskele, Lefkoşa and Mağusa Kaza Tapu Amirlikleri under Tapu ve Kadastro Dairesi, itself listed under İçişleri Bakanlığı. The directory gives names only, not duties.

    Source: basbakanlik.gov.ct.tr

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Work permits and social insurance

According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's foreign work permit page, employers must apply to the Ministry for the work permit before the worker comes to the TRNC, and a foreign national who enters without pre-permission "hiç bir işyerinde istihdam edilemez" (cannot be employed at any workplace). The wider picture is on working in North Cyprus for foreigners.

The same page names, under the Ministry, the Çalışma Dairesi, Sosyal Sigortalar Dairesi, İhtiyat Sandığı Dairesi, Sosyal Hizmetler Dairesi, Toplumsal Cinsiyet Eşitliği Dairesi and a Çalışma İzin Merkezi. No official page on this topic was used here; check with the office directly. Deadlines, documents and fees change, so confirm them with the offices.

  • ministry

    Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı (Ministry of Labour and Social Security)

    The foreign work permit page says the permit is issued for at least 6 months and at most 1 year, and that all expenses and fees for obtaining it are borne by the employer. It also says the holder cannot work at a workplace or for an employer other than the one named in the permit.

    Source: csgb.gov.ct.tr

  • department

    Çalışma Dairesi (Labour Department)

    The Prime Ministry document-system directory lists the Çalışma Dairesi with regional offices (Bölge Amirlikleri) in Girne, Güzelyurt, İskele, Mağusa and Lefkoşa.

    Source: basbakanlik.gov.ct.tr

  • department

    Sosyal Sigortalar Dairesi (Social Insurance Department)

    The site calls itself the department's official website. Its insured login says users can view registered information and premium payments, pay premium debts and apply for short-term benefits, and it also offers employer and other corporate logins. Phone numbers and branch addresses are printed there; read them on the site.

    Source: ssd.gov.ct.tr

  • department

    İhtiyat Sandığı Dairesi (Provident Fund Department)

    The site describes its E-Bordro service as employers making their payments for employees digitally. Its menus list Ödemeler (payments), Avans (advances) and an İstihdam Destek Merkezi, with separate employer and employee portals.

    Source: ihtiyat.gov.ct.tr

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Company registration and tax

According to its own site, the Resmi Kabz Memurluğu ve Mukayyitlik Dairesi Müdürlüğü is listed under the Ministry of Economy and Energy. The site has no mission statement; its posts are circulars and notices, for example on company formation and shareholding by foreign students and on trademark procedures. The Prime Ministry document-system directory lists, under Ekonomi ve Enerji Bakanlığı, the Sanayi Dairesi, Ticaret Dairesi, Rekabet Kurulu, Serbest Liman ve Bölge İdaresi and Kalkınma Bankası. No official page on this topic was used here; check with the office directly.

A circular numbered S.K. 06/2026, dated 9 April 2026 on the letterhead of the Maliye Bakanlığı Gelir ve Vergi Dairesi Müdürlüğü, sets a procedure for tax-security documents requested from foreign natural and legal persons before registration at the Registrar's Companies Registry (Şirketler Mukayyitliği). It sets out bank-guarantee requirements; read the circular itself and confirm directly, because this page does not restate them.

  • department

    Resmi Kabz Memurluğu ve Mukayyitlik Dairesi Müdürlüğü (Registrar of Companies office)

    The site prints the Turkish name only and no English name, and shows no address, phone or hours. Its content is circulars and notices.

    Source: rkmmd.gov.ct.tr

  • department

    Gelir ve Vergi Dairesi (Revenue and Tax Department)

    The site (titled KKTC Vergi Dairesi) lists press releases, announcements, forms and declarations, legislation, circulars and a tax calendar. Its quick access includes an Internet Vergi Dairesi login, debt query and payment, and e-notification.

    Source: vergi.gov.ct.tr

  • circular

    Genelge S.K. 06/2026 (tax-security documents for foreign persons)

    The 9 April 2026 circular concerns tax-security documents before registration at the Companies Registry and refers to the Registrar's approval certificate for a legal representative. It is a document to read in full, not a checklist.

    Source: vergi.gov.ct.tr

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Customs, vehicles and driving

On the Prime Ministry document-system directory, the Gümrük ve Rüsumat Dairesi is listed under Maliye Bakanlığı with customs branches at Lefkoşa, Ercan, Gazimağusa, Girne and Gemikonağı and a Kaçakçılığı Men ve Takip Birimi. This page states no duty, exemption or import rule. No official page on this topic was used here; check with the office directly. Vehicle sellers are on vehicle and boat dealers.

The Public Information Office FAQ says a tourist travelling with a passport may use their own vehicle in the TRNC if it is registered in their name. It adds that tourist driving licences are valid for 90 days after entry and that, after visitor status ends, a TRNC licence must be obtained within 30 days, citing the Traffic Department as its source. More is on driving licence in North Cyprus.

  • department

    Gümrük ve Rüsumat Dairesi (Customs and Excise Department)

    The directory lists the department under Maliye Bakanlığı with branches at Lefkoşa, Ercan, Gazimağusa, Girne and Gemikonağı. It names the offices only and does not describe what the department handles.

    Source: basbakanlik.gov.ct.tr

  • department

    Trafik Dairesi and Araç Kayıt Muayene ve Ruhsatlandırma Şubesi

    The directory lists Trafik Dairesi under Bayındırlık ve Ulaştırma Bakanlığı, together with the Araç Kayıt Muayene ve Ruhsatlandırma Şubesi (Motorlu Araçlar Mukayyitliği).

    Source: basbakanlik.gov.ct.tr

  • FAQ

    Vehicles and licences in the Public Information Office FAQ

    Under Araç Kullanma ve Ehliyet the FAQ also covers Turkish nationals and third-country nationals who hold residence, work or student permits, and says they are directed to the licence unit; third-country nationals first sit a preparatory test. It names the Traffic Department as its source for that text.

    Source: pio.mfa.gov.ct.tr

  • police

    Polis Genel Müdürlüğü (Police Headquarters)

    The site's Information Center menu lists FAQ, stamp-duty fees, a vehicle inspection list and legislation. The directory lists a Muhaceret Müdürlüğü under Polis Genel Müdürlüğü. The page read does not mention police certificates.

    Source: polis.gov.ct.tr

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Health, education and animals

On the Prime Ministry document-system directory, the Yataklı Tedavi Kurumları Dairesi, Devlet Laboratuvarı Dairesi, İlaç ve Eczacılık Dairesi, Temel Sağlık Hizmetleri Dairesi and named hospitals are listed under the Sağlık Bakanlığı. Public and private options are on hospitals and health services.

The same directory lists, under Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı, the Talim ve Terbiye Dairesi, Yüksek Öğrenim ve Dış İlişkiler Dairesi, İlköğretim Dairesi, Genel Ortaöğretim Dairesi and Mesleki Teknik Öğretim Dairesi. School admissions are on schools, nurseries and admissions and universities on education and universities. Pet import questions are on pets, vets and bringing animals.

  • board

    YÖDAK (Yükseköğretim Planlama, Denetleme, Akreditasyon ve Koordinasyon Kurulu)

    The site prints no English name. Its FAQ describes the board as planning higher education in the TRNC within the powers given by law. The menus list Denklik Başvurusu (equivalence application) under Kurumsal Hizmetler and Muhaceret Takip İşlemleri under the FAQ.

    Source: yodak.gov.ct.tr

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District governors, municipalities and utilities

According to the Ministry of Interior's Kaymakamlıklar page, there is a district governor's office for each of Lefkoşa, Gazimağusa, Girne, Güzelyurt, Lefke and İskele, plus a Merkez Kaymakamlığı. The page describes district governors as the highest-level state representative within district boundaries and says they chair the district coordination board. A separate page lists 43 service headings provided by the offices, including building licences and approvals and the marriage of foreigners.

The Prime Ministry document-system directory lists the municipalities, from Lefkoşa Türk Belediyesi to the smaller joint municipalities, and the Belediyeler Birliği; it also lists Kıbrıs Türk Elektrik Kurumu (Kıbtek) with regional offices, the Telekomünikasyon Dairesi and BTHK. Household accounts are covered on utilities: electricity, water and internet, and district context on districts and towns map.

  • district

    Kaymakamlıklar (District Governor offices)

    The page describes district governors as responsible for official and semi-official bodies and education institutions in the district, and for measures with the police on district peace and security. It says the Merkez Kaymakamlığı coordinates between governors and handles procedures of local bodies.

    Source: icisleri.gov.ct.tr

  • district

    Kaymakamlıklarca Verilen Hizmetler (services provided by district offices)

    The page lists headings such as İnşaat Ruhsatı, İnşaat Onayı, Yabancıların Evlendirilmesi, Doğum Kaydı (Yabancı), Ölüm (Yabancı Uyruklu), E-Devlet Kartı and Alkollü İçki İzinleri. It lists headings only in the text read; documents required are under each heading on the page.

    Source: icisleri.gov.ct.tr

  • utility

    Kıbrıs Türk Elektrik Kurumu, Kıbtek (Cyprus Turkish Electricity Authority)

    The directory lists the Kurum with Bölge Amirlikleri in Gazimağusa, Girne, Güzelyurt, İskele and Lefkoşa. The directory does not describe what the offices handle.

    Source: basbakanlik.gov.ct.tr

  • department

    Telekomünikasyon Dairesi (Telecommunications Department)

    The site calls itself the official portal of the department. Its home page highlights a subscription account-status query, a 192 directory service and a page on the procedure for becoming a subscriber.

    Source: telekom.gov.ct.tr

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Laws, official notices and the legal caution

According to its own site, the Merkezi Mevzuat Dairesi offers a legislation menu covering Anayasa, Yasalar, Tüzükler, Yönetmelikler, Emirnameler, Kararnameler and Uluslararası Andlaşmalar, and an "EN SON EKLENEN MEVZUAT" list of recently added texts.

This page is informational, not legal advice. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Cyprus travel advice, page updated 14 August 2026, says the British High Commission's ability to provide assistance in the north of Cyprus is limited and that the High Commission keeps lists of English-speaking lawyers in both the Republic and the north. The FCDO pages read carry no north-specific property or residence guidance. Each reader should take independent legal advice.

  • legislation

    Merkezi Mevzuat Dairesi (Central Legislation Department)

    The site prints the name Merkezi Mevzuat Dairesi and states no mission. Its menus are Anasayfa, Hakkımızda, Mevzuat, Faaliyet Raporları and İletişim.

    Source: mevzuat.gov.ct.tr

  • public information

    KKTC Enformasyon Dairesi SSS (Public Information Office FAQ)

    The FAQ, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is mainly about media accreditation. It also carries pointers on visas, work permits, residence, immovable property, driving and foreign missions, each linking to another body's page.

    Source: pio.mfa.gov.ct.tr

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Practical notes

  • NORTHEA is a property advisory. It is not a government agency, office, law firm or professional body, and this page is informational, not legal advice.
  • Professional bodies such as the Bar Association, the estate agents' association and engineers' and architects' chambers are not listed. No official page on this topic was used here; check with the office directly. To check a lawyer or agent, ask the relevant body directly.
  • No fees, opening hours, addresses or phone numbers are given. Some official sites print them; read them on the site itself and confirm directly before travelling.
  • The Prime Ministry document-system directory (EBYS-KULLANAN-KURUMLAR) is a list of institutions using the document system. It names institutions and does not describe their duties, so a listing here is not a statement of what an office handles.
  • The 14 November 2022 Property Unit notice and the Public Information Office FAQ can be out of date. Procedures are decided by the offices and the legislation, not by this page.

Frequently asked questions

Which office handles residence permits in North Cyprus?

The Public Information Office FAQ points visitor (residence) permit questions to the Immigration Department's permits page, and the Ministry of Interior's General Information page covers residence permits for foreigners. Its online-services page also lists a residence-permit service. Confirm requirements with the Department.

Where does a work permit application go?

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security's foreign work permit page says employers must apply to the Ministry before the worker comes to the TRNC. It says foreign nationals who enter without pre-permission cannot be employed at any workplace.

Which office deals with foreigners buying property?

The Public Information Office FAQ answers the property question by pointing to the Ministry of Interior's Taşınmaz Mal Birimi (Property Unit). A Property Unit notice dated 14 November 2022 describes online applications by foreign nationals. It is old; confirm the present procedure directly.

Which offices hold title deeds?

The Prime Ministry document-system directory lists the Tapu ve Kadastro Dairesi under the Ministry of Interior, with district title-deed offices in Girne, Güzelyurt, İskele, Lefkoşa and Mağusa. The directory does not describe duties, so confirm with the office.

Which office registers companies?

The Resmi Kabz Memurluğu ve Mukayyitlik Dairesi Müdürlüğü site is listed under the Ministry of Economy and Energy and carries circulars on company formation. A Revenue and Tax Department circular of 9 April 2026 covers tax-security documents for foreign persons before registration.

Is my foreign driving licence valid in North Cyprus?

The Public Information Office FAQ, citing the Traffic Department, says tourists' licences are valid for 90 days from entry and that a TRNC licence must be obtained within 30 days after visitor status ends. Turkish nationals and third-country nationals with residence, work or student permits are directed to the licence unit; third-country nationals first sit a preparatory test.

Which office handles customs and moving goods?

The Prime Ministry document-system directory lists the Gümrük ve Rüsumat Dairesi under the Ministry of Finance, with branches at Lefkoşa, Ercan, Gazimağusa, Girne and Gemikonağı. This page states no duty or rule; confirm duties and rules directly with the department.

Is NORTHEA a government office?

No. NORTHEA is a property advisory and not a government agency, law firm or professional body. This page maps public offices from their own pages and is informational, not legal advice.

Sources

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