E-Visa Requirement Introduced for Syrian, Nigerian and Armenian Citizens

Üstel said the government’s priority was to ensure that the state knows “who comes to the TRNC, for what purpose, when and under what status”, adding that everyone entering the country should be registered.

E-Visa System to Initially Cover Three Countries

Üstel said citizens of Syria, Nigeria and Armenia would be included in the E-Visa system in the first phase.

The existing consular visa system for citizens of these three countries will be replaced by the E-Visa system, he said.

Applications will undergo preliminary assessment by the Immigration Department, while the Police and relevant institutions will be consulted depending on the applicant’s stated purpose of travel.

This will allow security and eligibility checks to begin before the individual arrives in the country, Üstel said.

University Admission No Longer Sufficient for Entry

Üstel also announced tighter controls for foreign students.

He said admission to a university would no longer, by itself, guarantee entry into the country. Universities will submit prospective students’ information and documents online to the Immigration Department, which will conduct an assessment after also seeking the opinion of the Police General Directorate.

Students from visa-required countries, including Syria, Nigeria and Armenia, will be required to complete the E-Visa process before travelling to the TRNC.

Students whose entry is approved will automatically receive a Foreign Identification Number, allowing their status to be tracked from entry into the country through university registration and residence procedures.

“We Are Building the Infrastructure for Security”

Üstel said five Council of Ministers proposals required for the implementation of Göç-Sis had been prepared, while the E-Visa Regulation had been revised and necessary amendments had been made to the Residence Permits and Visas Regulation.

“We are not merely talking about security. We are building the infrastructure for security,” Üstel said.

He said the government was strengthening information-sharing between state institutions, digitising inspection mechanisms and establishing a stronger monitoring system covering the entire process from entry to residence.

“We Will Not Allow Uncontrolled Entry”

Üstel said the government wanted the country to remain open to the world while ensuring that entry was controlled and secure.

“We will not allow uncontrolled entry or undocumented activity,” he said, adding that the government would continue to strengthen the country’s legal, technical and human-resource infrastructure.

“The doors of our country will remain open to the world. But the state will know who enters through these doors, why they are entering and under what status,” Üstel said.