UK Work Visa for North Cypriot Resident?

[StevieBee]

Struggling to find anything definitive on this.

Residents of Cyprus do not need a visa to work in the UK. However, we have a person that we need to work on a project in the UK who is a resident (and born and bred) of North Cyprus which isn't recognised as a sovereign state.

The work is technically consultancy and they would be getting paid directly by our client located in Bulgaria.

Any pointers?

[sgrimshaw]

Do they need a work visa or are they travelling on business for the Bulgarian company?

[CypSIdders]

What passport do they have?

AIUI, if they have a Republic of Cyprus passport then they're an EU citizen.
If they have a Turkish passport, they are not an EU citizen.
A TRNC passport, is merely a, worthless, scrap of paper, recognised only by Turkey.

[vaud]

CypSIdders said:

A TRNC passport, is merely a, worthless, scrap of paper, recognised only by Turkey.

I think it is more nuanced than that:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-ar...

The "passport" isn't recognized as a passport, but on entry a EU Uniform Format Form can be provided?

[StevieBee]

Cheers all.

sgrimshaw said:

Do they need a work visa or are they travelling on business for the Bulgarian company?

This is how we're going to work it - consultancy done in the UK on behalf of a BG domiciled company from whom they will be getting paid.

Nothing's simple is it?

[sgrimshaw]

StevieBee said:

This is how we're going to work it - consultancy done in the UK on behalf of a BG domiciled company from whom they will be getting paid.

Nothing's simple is it?

Nope, and as Vaud points out a Northern Cyprus passport is essentially a waste of ink.

AIUI though, a resident of Northern Cyprus is entitled to a Turkish passport.

[vaud]

sgrimshaw said:

Nope, and as Vaud points out a Northern Cyprus passport is essentially a waste of ink.

AIUI though, a resident of Northern Cyprus is entitled to a Turkish passport.

So a Turkish passport and then working visa?

https://www.gherson.com/blog/working-uk-turkish-na...

Woud not working for a UK company be an issue though?

[Mr Pointy]

How long is he coming into the UK for? I usuually managed to sneak in for a good few weeks when working abroad.

[sgrimshaw]

vaud said:

sgrimshaw said:

Nope, and as Vaud points out a Northern Cyprus passport is essentially a waste of ink.

AIUI though, a resident of Northern Cyprus is entitled to a Turkish passport.

So a Turkish passport and then working visa?

https://www.gherson.com/blog/working-uk-turkish-na...

Woud not working for a UK company be an issue though?

Depending on the duration of the assignment, I would have thought entry on a Turkish Passport for the purposes of business would be one option.

Going to need a standard UK entry visa I guess.

From the limited information provided, it appears that the person is actually "working" for the Bulgarian company and travelling to the UK on their behalf.

Sounds the same as what I've done for the past 15years ... travel to countries around the world (including places which needed Visas like China for example) providing Consultancy Services on behalf of my Customers, to their subsidiaries.

When asked, always declare the activities are "training"