GIRNE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

Office of Student Affairs / International Students Office

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

2026 TRNC Immigration Amnesty (Action Required)

Date: June 3, 2026

Dear GAU Students,

We would like to inform you that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ministry of Interior has announced a 45-day Immigration Amnesty under Law No. 27/2026. This amnesty is particularly relevant to students who are currently in a penalized immigration status or who have previously been deported or barred from re-entry.

Amnesty Period

26 May 2026 – 9 July 2026 (both dates inclusive). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

Who Should Apply

• Students currently residing in the TRNC with an expired student permit (penalized status).
• Students who were previously deported or barred from re-entering the TRNC due to an expired student permit, and who were enrolled at GAU before 26 May 2026.

How to Apply

Students Currently in the TRNC

Apply directly online through the TRNC Ministry of Interior’s portal:

https://permissions.gov.ct.tr/amnesty/login 

Register first to receive a password, then log in to submit your application.

Deported / Barred Students (Article 37)

If you were previously deported or barred from re-entry, you must apply through GAU, not directly. To be eligible, you must have completed at least 50% of your program’s academic credit requirements.

Required documents for your application (to be submitted via GAU):

• University document confirming ≥ 50% academic credit completion (approved by the Ministry of Education)
• Copy of your passport

After Approval

If your application is approved by the Immigration Department:

• You may re-enter the TRNC with a visa within 30 days of receiving your approval notification.
• Upon entry, you must pay the current monthly gross minimum wage.
• If your original deportation ticket was covered by the State, you must also pay 1.5 times that cost at a Revenue and Tax Department kiosk or payment point.

Action Required

If you believe you fall under either category above, please contact the GAU International Students Office immediately. Do not wait — the deadline is 9 July 2026 and processing takes time.

Contact

GAU International Students Office

Please visit us in person or contact your academic advisor as soon as possible.

Applying from outside the TRNC?

If you are currently outside the TRNC and wish to apply under Article 37, please contact us directly by email:

davidokafor@gau.edu.tr

For official government information, visit: https://permissions.gov.ct.tr/amnesty/login

International Students’ Office

This announcement is issued in accordance with the official circular from the TRNC Immigration Department (Ref: MHD.0.00-359/99-26/E.4738, dated 2 June 2026).