Life In Cyprus : Know These Truths Before Traveling To Cyprus

 

There’s no argument that Cyprus is a beautiful island, enjoying sunshine most times of the year, lots of sandy beaches and tourist attractions.

However, most travelers of African descent travel to Cyprus not for tourist purposes but for greener pastures. They are often very disappointed upon arriving the island, which is divided into two parts: The Turkish controlled North and the world recognized, Greek controlled Republic of Cyprus. Often times, Africans who travel to Cyprus are not aware of the sharp distinction between the North and South of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus (South) is the world recognized region of Cyprus and also a part of the European Union. The official currency of the Republic of Cyprus is Euro. Drivers license issued in the South of Cyprus is recognized across Europe and other parts of the world. University degrees and documents issued are equally recognized globally.

Cost of living in the Republic of Cyprus is reasonable and the government operates fully within the European Union laws.

Northern Cyprus or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the other hand is not termed a country, but an  occupied territory. The official currency of the TRNC is the Turkish Lira. Interestingly, housing and automobile are priced in the British pounds sterling, due to the recurring devaluation of the Turkish Lira. 

Workers are paid in Turkish Lira, with a minimum monthly wage of 8,600 TL which is equivalent to €408 Euros , a modest 2 bedroom apartment cost £400 GBP. 

Another appalling fact about the Turkish controlled area of Cyprus is the purchase of automobiles. Vehicles are only sold in Great Britain Pounds (GBP) when being purchased from a car dealer. A vehicle in the TRNC cost 3 times more its listed cost in the recognized Republic of Cyprus.

Foreigners with valid visas and residency in the TRNC are not allowed entry into the Republic of Cyprus.

Driver’s licenses, educational certificates and documents issued in the TRNC are not valid/recognized in some parts of the world. Belgium and some other European countries do NOT recognize  documents (drivers licenses, university certificates, marriage certificates ) issued by the TRNC.

Most Africans who travel to the North of Cyprus often arrive student visas which is thereafter converted to a resident permit, which is valid for one year. Students are required to make payment of the university tuition fee every year, before they are allowed to renew their resident permit. All resident permit expires at the end of the academic session. This means you are mandated to make a payment of 2,000 - 4,000 Euros as tuition fee every year, in other to renew your right to continuous stay in the country. 

As soon as you stop payment of the tuition, you become an illegal resident in the TRNC.

The highly competitive labour market leaves nothing for students who are not allowed to work full time, but only fall back to menial jobs.

Jobs available for African students includes, but not limited to car washing assistants, gardeners, dishwashers. These jobs when done in the recognized region of Cyprus and other countries are highly paid jobs. But in the case of TRNC, workers may earn between 2,000 -3,000 TL (€150) a month. Sometimes they do not get paid by their employers, as they are not issued any work permits, neither are they tax payers. 

How then do African students and migrants survive in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus? This would be addressed in subsequent articles.