I am looking to get a Chinese Visa as I am joining a ship

I can get a letter from my employer. But I live in North Cyprus so I will not be able to get back to my home as you will take the passport I will not be able to cross the border. Also I do not have residency documents as it take 3 years I have only been here, 2 months. So how can I make this work for me, I am a UK national.