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COVID 19 Update: Students allowed to travel to North Cyprus for studies starting from July 2020 after CoronaVirus 2020 Lockdown

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Update as of 21.08.2021 (Dates of the update are very important. Latest updates will be always on top)

 The announcement made on Saturday 21st August  by the TRNC Ministry of Health, based upon the new decision taken by the TRNC Supreme Disease Committee (SAB.0.000-629-21/E.8594)  confirms that students arriving from international countries (Dark Red colour code) will be able to enter the TRNC upon fulfilling the following conditions:

  1. Upon arrival, students must  present a valid student letter/ Acceptance Letter 

  2. On the condition that students can confirm a valid address to quarantine for 14 (fourteen) days, students may opt to quarantine at home via the TRNC ‘Guven de Kal’ home quarantine scheme.

In line with the newly updated decisions, I would like to share with you the opportunity for students to quarantine in different accommodation options provided by RocApply.

 Students can now opt to book and quarantine in different dormitories together with their quarantine tracking bracelet according to the latest travel guidelines released by the Ministry of Health. Please note this decision is subject to review regularly by the TRNC Supreme Disease Committee.

Applications for accommodation used for quarantine must be made and paid for prior to travel. Students will need to download the 'Güvende Kal' application (Quarantine control application) from their mobile device and follow the instructions for registration. The fee payable to the Government for the tracking bracelet is currently 750 TL (76 Euros).  

Students will additionally need to provide the address of their quarantine location and later present it to Immigration Officials for confirmation upon arrival. RocApply together with the Universities will be providing each student a document confirming their room number/booking and payment.

More Updates

The TRNC Ministry of Health has implemented quarantine services that require persons entering North Cyprus to quarantine themselves in order to limit the introduction and spread of Covid 19. The 10-14 day period begins on the day the person enters North Cyprus. Please be advised that the duration of mandatory quarantine is determined by public health authorities and this is enforceable by law. 

There are several options to apply for quarantine services.

*The students who will come from the Dark Red Country need to apply for Government central quarantine services only.

*The student belonging to other color-coded countries can apply for government central quarantine or home quarantine.

Process of quarantine options:

Home quarantine:

Students who can select the home option will be subject to wearing electronic bracelets within their own homes to carry out their coronavirus quarantine. The bracelets will replace the government-mandated hotels used to house and monitor travelers. For information on the bracelet.

 Regarding the steps to follow in order to qualify for the home monitored quarantine (with bracelets):

  • The student should download in their phones ´Güvende Kal´ app, 48 hours before traveling. The application can be found on App Store and Google Play or visit the website kktckarantina.com 

  1. The website contains all information about the electronic wristband and app, as well as how and where to pay for the electronic wristband (kktckarantina.com). Kindly note that the payment for the wristband will be ₺750 (Turkish Lira). RocApply can help you with all this process.

  2. During the quarantine period, the student´s contact number must be reachable, and data communication on their cellular device must be enabled.

  3. The student must not leave the location they have specified during the quarantine period. If they leave the location, they will face legal action for violating the quarantine rule, and the fine for the quarantine regulation violation will be $10,000.

  4. The quarantine period will end upon receipt of an SMS notification sent to the student following the completion of a PCR test on the date determined by the Ministry.

*According to the specified Island entry requirements, students traveling from DARK RED and GREY zones will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

*Book and reserve student accommodation for RocApply right now: https://www.rocapply.com/north-cyprus-accommodation/

*Students can also apply for visa assistance or Ok to board through RocApply: https://www.rocapply.com/study-in-north-cyprus/about-north-cyprus/ok-to-board-(e-visa)-to-north-cyprus-(trnc).html

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Update as of 09.08.2021 (Dates of the update are very important. Latest updates will be always on top)

Dear North Cyprus students and the RocApply North Cyprus Community,

We are pleased to announce that after the hard work of Universities and the Northern Cyprus government, the travel ban on all countries had been lifted. Students will have -entry according to the color code which you can find below.

DARK RED;

  • People who have travelled to these countries in the last 14 days are forbidden from entering the country. T
  • RNC citizens will be able to enter the country on the condition of a negative PCR test result from within the last 72 hours and upon entry to the island, and 14 days of quarantine.
  • From 15.08.2021 onwards people who will come from Dark Red Countries with a student certificate to be notified by the National Education and Culture Ministry or to register as a new student will be able to enter the country on the condition of negative PCR test results from the last 72 hours and upon entry and 14 days quarantine.

RED;

VACCINATED or HAVE HAD THE DISEASE;

  • Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours.
  • 5 days quarantine

*Note: Vaccinated people who will come from the United Kingdom will be able to enter the country without going into quarantine until 31.08.2021. A reassessment will be made on the specified date.

UNVACCINATED;

  • Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours.
  • 7 days quarantine.

*Covid-19 tests will be performed at all entry gates to people coming from these countries regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.

ORANGE;

VACCINATED or HAVE HAD THE DISEASE;

  • Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours.
  • Quarantine-free entry

UNVACCINATED;

  • Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours.
  • 5 days quarantine.

*Covid-19 tests will be performed at all entry gates only to unvaccinated people coming from these countries.

GREEN;

VACCINATED or HAVE HAD THE DISEASE;

  • No restrictions.

UNVACCINATED;

  • Pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours.
  • Quarantine-free entry.

*Covid-19 tests will not be performed at the gates on people coming from these countries.

GREY;

  • Whether vaccinated or not, entry to the country will be on condition of a pre-departure negative PCR result from the last 72 hours and 14 days of quarantine.

GENERAL RULES; VACCINATED PEOPLE: Who have completed the vaccination program. From 14 days after the last dose.

  • SINOVAC: 2 DOSES
  • BIONTECH: 2 DOSES
  • SINOPHARM: 2 DOSES
  • COMIRNATY (Pfizer/Biotech): 2 DOSES
  • VAXZEVRIA (Astrazeneca/Oxford): 2 DOSES
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen / Johnson and Johnson: 1 DOSE
  • SPUTNIK V: 2 DOSES
  • MODERNA: 2 DOSES

*People who have had two doses of a vaccine different from the vaccines mentioned above will be considered as vaccinated.

*People who have had the Covid-19 disease and six months have passed will be considered as vaccinated if they have 1 dose of vaccine.

*People who have had the disease: Submit a positive PCR test result taken between 30-180 days prior to travel. These people will be evaluated as vaccinated people.

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Update as of 05.08.2021

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According to the last decisions taken by the Council of Ministers most of the countries in Africa are included in the Dark Red Category (see the list below) which states that people who traveled to these countries in the last 14 days are prohibited from entering the country. The decisions are likely to be changed by late August.

Thank you for being patient and waiting until the end of August. Whereas, Liberia is included in the Grey Category which states that they will be able to enter the country with a negative PCR result for the last 72 hours and a 14-day quarantine upon entry. Students from Liberia can already start booking their tickets for any day of September.

Please make sure that the tickets are sent to RocApply or International Office staff so that we forward them to the Immigration Office of Ercan Airport to avoid any problem during the arrival of your student. Regarding 14 day quarantine for Liberian students, we shall get back to you in a due course as we are now trying to come up with the best possible and economic alternative for our students.

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It's been a tough time and as we continue to be very cautious, we have great news, students will be able to travel to study in North Cyprus starting from September 2020 meaning that the borders will be open for entry.

According to the Ministry of National Education and Culture international students who travel from September will not need or be required to quarantine. In case there is a need for students to be Quarantined RocApply together with its partner universities will provide 14-day accommodation for free.

The North Cyprus Government will give 500.00 Lira to all students flying in and registering this semester. The money will be deposited in their accounts and can be used for shopping and other things. All students arriving will also be tested for Covid-19 at the airport for free.

Flights to North Cyprus are expected to resume in August 2020. Please don't hesitate to email our team at [email protected] for more information.

Our team is looking forward to helping you and your friends with your study application processes and making sure that they go as smoothly as possible.

Therefore all those students who have secured acceptance letters may go ahead and make the tuition fee payment in order to start the visa processes in time.

In the event that you are having difficulties processing your tuition fees please use the RocApply payment options and our team will help you process all the payments for you.

RocApply payment Options: https://www.rocapply.com/study-in-north-cyprus/payment-options.html

Latest Update as of 13.10.2020: Students from all over the world allowed to fly into NorthCyprus.

For students coming from the countries in category C, it is obligatory to submit the PCR test result, which is made between 0-120 hours before the boarding date and whose result is negative, to the Ministry of Health officials when they enter the TRNC at ERCAN Airport. These persons will be quarantined in a quarantine center determined by the Ministry of Health for 14 days free of charge and the PCR test will be done at the end of quarantine.

UPDATED COVID-19 RISK CATEGORIES AND TRAVEL APPLICATIONS ON 22/9/2020

According to the risk assessment of 22 September 2020, the categories of many countries have changed. These applications will enter into force on September 25, at 23.59.

CATEGORY A

  • 1. Finland
  • 2. South Korea
  • 3. Lithuania
  • 4. Latvia
  • 5.New Zealand
  • 6. Thailand
  • 7. Australia

 * From the countries in category A, those who come to the TRNC via Southern Cyprus and show the negative PCR test results made in the last 72 hours as a document to the Ministry of Health officer at the door, will be able to enter the country.

İf the people from  countries in Category A , come to Northern Cyprus via Turkey ,the category B rules will be applied them.

* People who work, receive education and treatment in Southern Cyprus and those who travel south due to other reasons will be able to continue their journey to Southern Cyprus by having a PCR test only once. However, random PCR tests will be done to these people. Also, everyone living in Southern Cyprus will be able to enter TRNC , by showing a negative PCR result only once.

* All citizens residing in Pile will be able to continuously switch to Pile or from Pile to the North, provided that they show a PCR negative test result for once on their first pass.

Personnel of diplomatic mission, UN, EU, British Bases Area and similar international organizations in Cyprus will be asked to show a negative PCR result only once at the first pass. These people will also be tested for random PCR.

CATEGORY B

  • 1. Denmark
  •  2.Ireland
  • 3. Iceland
  • 4. Japan
  • 5.Poland
  • 6.Belgium
  • 7. Italy
  • 8. Vatican
  • 9. San Marino
  • 10. Rwanda
  • 11. Uruguay
  • 12. China (Including Hong Kong  )
  • 13. Singapore
  • 14. Turkey
  • 15.  Greece
  • 16. United Kingdom (England,Galler,Scotland,North Ireland )
  • 17. Sweden
  • 18. Liechtenstein 
  • 19.  Slovakia
  • 20. Germany
  • 21. Georgia
  • 22. Estonia
  • 23. Norvay
  • 24.Canada
  • 25. Serbia
  • 26.Taiwan*


Persons coming to TRNC from countries in category B

 a) They will be able to enter the country by submitting the negative PCR test result they have done between 0-120 hours before the travel start date, to the Ministry of Health officer at the door as a document, and if they do not, they will not be taken into the country. However, those coming from countries in group B will be quarantined in quarantine centers determined by the state for 7 days after entering the country. On the 7th day of the quarantine. the PCR test will be performed ant the quarantine will be terminated according to the result.

 b) Formally commissioned persons for a 72 hours period, from TRNC to Turkey   or from Turkey to TRNC will not  be  quarantined  if they implement the measures necessary condition for the task and return to their countries in 72 hours. 

c) Students who will come to the TRNC due to their higher education will be isolated for 7 days in the dormitories or hotels designated by the University.

d) The quarantine applications of those who go abroad for health reasons will be evaluated if they apply to the Ministry of Health

 * People coming from Taiwan will be asked to receive a document in English from the local government, showing that they have been in Taiwan for the last 14 days.


CATEGORY C

  • 1. United States  of  America
  • 2. Brazil
  • 3. Argentina
  • 4. Montenegro
  • 5. Portugal
  • 6.Luxembourg
  • 7.Romania
  • 8.India
  • 9. Iran
  • 10. Israel
  • 11. Kazakhstan
  • 12. Kosovo
  • 13. Mexico
  • 14. Egypt
  • 15. Pakistan
  • 16. Russia
  • 17. Turkmenistan
  • 18. Bangladesh
  • 19. Philippines
  • 20. Iraq
  • 21. Spain
  • 22. France
  • 23. Bulgaria
  • 24. Algeria
  • 25.Morocco
  • 26. Qatar
  • 27. Azerbaijan
  • 28. Malta
  • 29. Croatia
  • 30. The Netherlands
  • 31. Andorra
  • 32. Tunisia
  • 33. United Arab Emirates
  • 34. Lebanon
  • 35. Ukraine
  • 36. Bahrain
  • 37. Saudi Arabia
  • 38.  Switzerland
  • 39. Monaco
  • 40. Hungary
  • 41. Slovenia
  • 42. Czech Repuplic
  • 43. Austria
  • and other countries

For those coming from the countries in category C, it is obligatory to submit the PCR test result, which is made between 0-120 hours before the boarding date and whose result is negative, to the Ministry of Health officials when they enter the TRNC. These persons will be quarantined in a quarantine center determined by the Ministry of Health for 14 days and PCR test will be done at the end of the quarantine

Note:

1- PCR test results will not be requested from children in the 0-5 age group who will enter the country.

2- The three to five days before the boarding date stated above will be evaluated based on the date of delivery of the PCR samples.

3- PCR test results obtained from B and C group countries 6 days before or older than the travel date will not be considered valid for entry into the country. People who submit tests in this way will not be admitted to the country.

4-In accordance with the decision taken following the meeting between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior, people arriving from countries in Category B who will be working at night clubs will be in quarantine for 7 days upon their arrival, even if they stayed in Turkey for a period of two weeks prior to their arrival to the TRNC. Those traveling from a country in Category C will be in quarantine for 14 days. All must provide a negative PCR test result upon entrance (travelers from Category B and Category C), bearing in mind that the tests should be conducted within a period of 3 to 5 days prior to the boarding date.

5-Passengers coming from Turkey to the TRNC has obligation QR code on the PCR test results.

Latest Update as of 22.09.2020: Students allowed to fly into NorthCyprus as of 12 October 2020

  • 1- The quarantine decisions taken until 20 September 2020, will be extended until 01 October 2020 at 23:59.
  • 2- Distributing brochures by hand during the election and referendum propaganda will increase the risk of contamination, so this practice should not be carried out.
  • 3- More frequent and continuous inspections of taverns, restaurants and be offices by municipalities; closing down businesses that do not comply with the rules.
  • 4- Due to disregard of distance rules, bars will be closed until 01 October 2020.
    5- Students who will enter our country from B and C group countries will be able to enter the country by giving the PCR test results, which is made within 0-120 hours before the boarding date, and the result is negative, to the officers when they enter TRNC.
    Those coming from countries in group B will stay in quarantine for 7 days, and those coming from countries in group C for 14 days.
    6- Everyone in quarantine will be tested for PCR at the end of their quarantine period (at the end of the 7th day or the end of the 14th day). It was decided to complete the quarantine periods provided that the PCR test results obtained at the end of the quarantine were negative.
  • 5- Students who will enter our country from B and C group countries will be able to enter the country by giving the PCR test results, which is made within 0-120 hours before the boarding date, and the result is negative, to the officers when they enter TRNC.
  • Those coming from countries in group B will stay in quarantine for 7 days, and those coming from countries in group C for 14 days.
  • 6- Everyone in quarantine will be tested for PCR at the end of their quarantine period (at the end of the 7th day or the end of the 14th day). It was decided to complete the quarantine periods provided that the PCR test results obtained at the end of the quarantine were negative.

Update as of 09.09.2020 (This page keeps being updated with new information therefore please keep checking)

[The Final Decisions [9 September 2020] Taken by the Communicable Diseases Supreme Committee under the Communicable Diseases Act 45/2018]

These decisions are listed below:

  • 1. Banning of entertainment venues (club, disco, casino, bingo, cinema, theater, fairs, etc.) until October 1, 2020.
  • 2. Tables in bars, restaurants, and taverns should not be larger than 6 people and the tables should be arranged at a distance of 2m. The same table arrangements go for the bars as well. In addition to that, standing customers will not be allowed.
  • 3. Warning hairdressers, beauty centers, and barbers to comply with the rules; serious inspections will be done by the municipality, Ministry of Labor, security forces, etc.
  • 4. Massaging salons are to be closed.
  • 5. Prohibition of birthdays, circumcision ceremonies, weddings, religious prayers, and mass worship until 01 October 2020; restricting funeral ceremonies to the participation of First Degree relatives only.
  • 6. Postponing the activities of all educational institutions (including private teaching institutions, study centers, course locations) until October 1, 2020, except for institutions providing special education and kindergartens (ages 0-3).
  • 7. Training, competitions, indoor sports, and camps are not to be held until October 1, 2020. Continuation of individual sports are to be outdoors; for the gyms (with the condition that there is a maximum of 25 people in gyms of 200m2 and above, max 15 people for gyms between 100-200m2, max 10 people for gyms between 50-100m2, max 5 people in 50m2). Matches are to be without any spectators.
  • 8. Considering the quarantine capacity, the Ministry of Finance will limit the flights to two flights a day and the arrival of a ship to be once a day (75 passengers), provided that the persons coming to our country remain in quarantine. There will be limitations or cancellation of flights and the arrival of ships in the case where quarantine accommodations for more passengers cannot be provided.
  • 9. Playgrounds and parks are to be closed (indoor or outdoor) until October 1.
  • 10. Regarding the students coming after September 20th (except in the case of necessity), they will be quarantined for 7 days by the inspected and approved dormitories or hotels chosen by the universities. The number of students might also be limited due to accommodation spaces exceeding capacity.
  • 11. The cancellation of the rally and mass meetings until 1 October, the TV programs to be made on the television screens with a maximum of 3 people in studios with an area of 15-25m2, a maximum of 5 people in studios with an area of 25-50m2, and a maximum of 10 people in studios with an area of 50-100m2 to air the programs (the presenter and cameraman are included in the number of people).

** SIDE NOTE: Currently, and additionally, the authorities have canceled all incoming flights, because the quarantine hotels are currently full.

Point 10 as we understand from the Turkish text, implies that the authorities do not want students coming before the 20th of September, unless if necessary. After the 20th of September, they may come and they'll be put in the quarantine centers of their universities.

*This is an official public statement from the Republic of North Cyprus, RocApply team, and its partner institutions.

 In line with the new DECISIONS of government, students from all the countries are allowed to enter North Cyprus from the beginning of September with many privileges and support from the government under the "Student Friendly Island" project,

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