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Friend wants to stay a couple of months
Posted: Fri 30 Jun 2023 1:30 pm
by alphamike
A friend from UK is going to be staying with me later this year, and has asked if they will be able to get 60 days. Also asked if there was a difference if coming in via Ercan or Larnaca and crossing point. I can easily supply her with a letter to say they will be staying with me, if that would help.
Any info or advice anyone can give would be appreciated. Trying to avoid a trip through to Immigration (or is it Police?) if possible.
Re: Friend wants to stay a couple of months
Posted: Sun 02 Jul 2023 9:32 am
by gates
You might be best to ask at immigration to be sure
Re: Friend wants to stay a couple of months
Posted: Sun 02 Jul 2023 9:39 am
by Saddique
They will get 30 days at Ercan or at Metehan as tourists
Re: Friend wants to stay a couple of months
Posted: Sun 02 Jul 2023 1:02 pm
by alphamike
Thank you both, will check with Immigration. Was just hoping that someone had been in similar situation. Normally it's 3 weeks max for visitors with me.
Re: Friend wants to stay a couple of months
Posted: Sun 02 Jul 2023 4:14 pm
by come_on_aylin
The official rules are here:
https://mfa.gov.ct.tr/consular-info/visa-regulations/
The section below is an excerpt:
'A visa up to 60 days can be issued to those who arrive in the country for the purpose of family visit and stay at the inviting family member’s house'
Clearly stating family member not friend of the family.
That being said, rules can be bent but the best advice is to get something in writing from the immigration department, if possible. No-one can say for definite what will happen on entry to the country as it is so often at the whim of whoever is stamping the passport. If coming via Larnaca the advice is to not leave it to the taxi driver to sort it out for you, many have come a cropper. Also only to ask for the actual number of days your friend is staying showing a return ticket, blanket requests for 60/90 days seem to have a higher failure rate.
Re: Friend wants to stay a couple of months
Posted: Sun 02 Jul 2023 4:25 pm
by jofra
A possible solution (worked for me!) is just before 30 days are up, cross over to the south (a couple of hours shopping in Lefkosa?), getting the passport checked out and back another 30 day visa has started.
Look at this thread -"Overstaying my welcome?"
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=57581&p=297215#p297215
I explained my result in message 14.
Hopefully will work for your friends.
Re: Friend wants to stay a couple of months
Posted: Sun 02 Jul 2023 5:07 pm
by alphamike
Many thanks Jofra, that is all very helpful and gives a few options. Really appreciate your assistance.