TRNC Residence Health Report: Tests and Exemptions
Short answer: The Northern Cyprus (TRNC) residence health report is obtained through checks carried out at the state hospital or authorized laboratory you are directed to after your residence permit application, and it must reach the Immigration Department within 30 days from the application date. The checks generally include a chest X-ray and HIV and hepatitis screenings. Applicants over 60 are not subject to the health requirement.
This article has been prepared for those who have applied, or are about to apply, for a residence permit in the TRNC and are wondering what happens at the “health check” stage. We explain what the tests cover, where you need to go, how the 30-day period works, and what to do if the result is unexpected. For permit types and the general document list, you can see our main guide to TRNC residence permits.
Why is a health report required?
The health report is required to show that the applicant does not carry an infectious disease that poses a danger to public health. Article 15 of the Residence Permits and Visas Regulation lists this as one of the general conditions for a short-term residence permit. The report is not an assessment of your “general state of health”; having a chronic condition, taking medication, or your age alone does not prevent you from obtaining a permit.
It is important to understand this distinction, because retired applicants in particular may worry unnecessarily that they will not be able to obtain a permit due to conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The purpose of the check is public health. Apart from the report, there is also a requirement for health insurance or a Health Fund premium; these are different matters, and we address them separately below.
Who needs it, and who is exempt?
As a rule, every foreigner applying for a residence permit is required to submit a positive health report; applicants over 60 are exempt from this requirement under the regulation. There is also a separate convenience for Turkish citizens. As of October 2026, the situation is as follows:
| Applicant | Health report | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Foreigner under 60 (British, German, Russian, etc.) | Required for every application | Usually required again for renewals as well |
| Foreigner over 60 | Not required | Regulation 15(5); insurance or premium requirement is assessed separately |
| Turkish citizen | Once every two years | Ministry of Interior circular; confirm the practice with the Office |
| Turkish citizen over 60 | Not required | The circular also reiterates this exemption for Turkish citizens |
| Graduate who held a student permit and receives a 6-month permit | Not required | The regulation states that no health check will be carried out for this one-time permit |
A brief note on the “once every two years” rule for Turkish citizens: the wording in Article 28A of the Regulation sets out this convenience with reference to the student permit article; in practice, however, it is reported that it is also applied once every two years to Turkish citizens who own property. The safest approach is to ask the Office during your renewal application whether they will require a report.
TRNC residence health report: which tests?
The checks carried out for the TRNC residence health report generally consist of a chest X-ray and several blood tests. The Immigration Department does not publish an official test list; the table below is based on university immigration guides and the practice reported by applicants.
| Check | Purpose | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray | Screening for active tuberculosis (TB) | A scan that takes a few minutes; if you are pregnant, make sure to say so in advance |
| HIV test | Screening for blood-borne infection | Carried out with a blood sample |
| Hepatitis B and hepatitis C | Screening for contagious liver infection | Tested from the same blood sample |
| Additional tests (e.g. syphilis) | Listed in some sources | Check which tests are stated in your referral letter |
The test list may be updated from time to time; check what is written on the document given to you at the referral stage. You usually do not need to go on an empty stomach, but if the hospital tells you otherwise, follow its instructions.
Where is it done, and is a report from Turkey valid?
The health check is carried out at the state hospital or authorized laboratory in the TRNC indicated to you after your application. Once the laboratory fee is paid in the online application system, the name and address of the place you need to go to are displayed; in some cases, the referral is made directly by the Police Immigration Office.
A health report you bring from Turkey or your own country is generally not accepted for a residence application. The immigration guides of universities in the TRNC also clearly state that reports obtained from Turkey are not accepted by the Ministry of Interior. A report from your own doctor does not replace the check in the TRNC; be aware of this from the start to avoid wasting time and money.
If you live in Famagusta, İskele, or Kyrenia, you may be referred to the nearest state hospital, but this is not guaranteed. Go to the address on the referral document; if you choose another hospital yourself, the report may not appear in the system.
Health check process step by step
The health check is completed within a 30-day calendar period starting on the day you submit your residence application to the Office.
- Submit the application. The date on the application receipt document you receive from the Office is the start of the 30-day period.
- Pay the laboratory fee. Payment is usually made through the system, and the hospital or laboratory you will go to becomes clear at this stage.
- Go for the check. Take your passport, the application receipt document, and any referral letter with you.
- Track the result. Results may be issued within a few days. Ask via the system or at the Office whether the report has reached the Department.
- Wait for the SMS. When the positive report reaches the Department, if no additional review is required, the permit is issued that day. You must then pay the fee within 30 days.
Example timeline: You applied on 3 November. The last day for the positive report to reach the Department is 3 December. If the result is delayed due to hospital workload, this period can be extended to 60 days, until 2 January, with a letter you obtain from the hospital. If you wait without obtaining a letter, after the 30th day you may receive an SMS stating that your application has been rejected and that you must leave within 5 days.
The laboratory fee and the residence fee are separate items. As of October 2026, we could not find the current laboratory fee on an official page; check it on the payment screen or at the Office. Residence fees are published on the Immigration Department website as 2.665 TL for a one-year permit and 38,70 TL stamp duty; confirm these amounts.
What happens if the result is negative?
If the result is negative or suspicious, the Department may request further examination; under the regulation, this examination is completed within 30 days at the latest and the result is notified by SMS. If an external institution needs to carry out an investigation, this period may be extended. A request for additional tests does not mean that the application will be rejected; most of the time, it is done to confirm a false positive result.
- If an additional test is requested: The Department will notify you of what is required and usually gives you 15 days to submit the document.
- If the application is rejected: You must leave the country within 5 days from the rejection notification; otherwise, you will be considered to be staying without permission.
- Reapplication: If you reapply within 6 months after rejection, you will be asked to show that your circumstances have changed, for example that treatment has been completed.
- Residence for treatment purposes: The regulation also recognizes a separate type of short-term permit for those who do not carry a disease threatening public health and who come solely for treatment.
In such a situation, getting support from a lawyer will make it easier to understand which document should be submitted and how. Since your health information is personal data, share it only with official institutions and your lawyer.
Do not confuse it with health insurance
A health report is a one-time check; health insurance is a form of coverage that must be valid throughout the permit period. Under the regulation, applicants who are not covered by social insurance and who have not taken out private health insurance accepted by the Ministry are charged a Health Fund premium. The premium is calculated according to the permit period you request.
If you will take out private insurance, check in advance that the policy is valid in the TRNC and belongs to a company accepted by the Ministry. We compared public and private hospital options and insurance types in our article on the TRNC health system and insurance. We covered healthcare and lifestyle arrangements for retirees in our guide to living in the TRNC as a retiree.
As the Akol Global after-sales team, the reminder we most often give to buyers preparing a residence file for newly delivered homes is “do not confuse the health report with insurance.” If you would like support while preparing your file, you can take a look at our after-sales services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days does the TRNC residence health report take?
The check itself is usually completed on the same day, while the results may take a few days to be issued. This period may be extended depending on hospital workload. What matters is that the positive report reaches the Immigration Department within 30 days from the application date. If the delay is caused by the hospital, the period can be extended up to 60 days with a letter you obtain from the hospital.
Can I use a health report I obtained in Turkey?
Generally, no. For a residence application, the check carried out in the TRNC at the state hospital or authorized laboratory indicated to you is taken as the basis. The immigration guides of TRNC universities also state that reports obtained from Turkey are not accepted by the Ministry of Interior. To avoid paying for a report unnecessarily, it is best to ask the Office before your application whether there is any exception to the rule.
I am over 60; will I not submit any health document at all?
The regulation does not require a health report for foreigners over 60 in residence applications. However, this does not remove the health coverage requirement. If you are not covered by social insurance, private health insurance accepted by the Ministry or a Health Fund premium may be required. Confirm with the Office before your application which one is required.
I have a chronic illness; does that mean I cannot get a permit?
Chronic illnesses are not an obstacle on their own. The health condition relates to infectious diseases that pose a danger to public health. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are not assessed within this scope. Still, if you take medication and will take out insurance, ask the insurance company separately how the policy covers existing conditions.
Do my children also need to undergo a health check?
Since a separate file is opened for every foreigner applying for a family residence permit, as a rule the health requirement also applies to them. Children under 18 who live with their guardian are exempt from the residence permit; an exemption certificate is obtained for these children. The Office will tell you during the application which family member must undergo the check.
What happens if the report does not reach the Department within 30 days?
Under the regulation, an SMS is sent stating that the application has been rejected and that you must leave the country within 5 days. If you do not leave within this period, you are considered to be staying without permission and will face a fine. If the delay is due to the hospital or your health condition, you can obtain a letter from the healthcare institution and submit it to the Department to have the period extended up to 60 days.
If you have purchased a home from Akol Global projects and would like to plan the timeline of your residence application together, contact us. For renewal periods, you can also see our residence permit renewal guide.
This article is for informational purposes only; it does not replace legal, tax, or financial advice. Last updated: October 2026.