Crossing over the border South to North for first time

[sophie]

We have family flying into Larnaca and being picked up by reputable Car Hire firm in the North. This is a first for us so don't know the formalities they have to go through when crossing over.

Do they stop and purchase and fill in a Visa at one of the kiosks after going past South immigration.

Can they get a Visa online or is it a paper version.

How much do they cost and must they pay in Lira

What happens if their flight lands at Larnaca after the Visa office has closed. (assuming its not a 24hr service)

Thanks

[tutor4u]

ok , they are collected at Larnaca, the taxi to Metahan border crossing , they will then be asked to show their passports at the North Cyprus border, they will then each be given a 30 day visa stamp in each passport, no charge will be made.

[sophie]

That's great tutor4u. Much appreciated.

[tomsteel]

We have family flying into Larnaca and being picked up by reputable Car Hire firm in the North. This is a first for us so don't know the formalities they have to go through when crossing over.

Do they stop and purchase and fill in a Visa at one of the kiosks after going past South immigration.

Can they get a Visa online or is it a paper version.

How much do they cost and must they pay in Lira

Whilst not clear where the final destination in the TRNC is, as that will dictate the actual crossing point used by the taxi service - Metahan no good for east coast/Esentepe/Tatlisu area destinations for example, the process costs nothing and is usually performed by the driver, taking seconds to complete.

What happens if their flight lands at Larnaca after the Visa office has closed. (assuming its not a 24hr service)

Thanks

[Maisiemoo]

The passports are handed over and the details entered on the computer, no stamp is put in the passport and hasn't for some time now.

[jofra]

It is as Maisiemoo says; we've been coming since 2011 (twice a year since 2015) and it used to be that you were given a paper slip on which you entered your name and passport number and the slip was then stamped. This stopped either a year or two years ago, and now (last time for us was last month) you just hand over passport, it's entered on computer and that's it!

[waddo]

Can I just ask if your family are all EU citizens, this has not been mentioned as to where they are flying from and although Non-EU may well be let into the North, getting back into the South again may pose a greater problem. I am assuming that all who replied must know you so I am hoping that you have that angle covered already. Sorry but I could not just sit here and not ask a question that may have great bearing!!

[Heaven]

Is it only 30 days, I thought it was 90. Need to know as my daughter who is British and my son in law and baby grandson, who are Australian, are flying from Sydney,. into Larnaca and then staying here with us up to 6 months. How do they go about staying here and how do you know how long you are given on passport computer? Grateful for advice.

[Soner]

Heaven, seems like it is 90 days, which can be renewed by going to immigration and leaving and re-entering for TRNC. Not sure how it works for RoC.

This may be useful info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_poli ... ern_Cyprus
http://www.cyprusvisa.eu/countries-not- ... yprus.html

[Heaven]

Thank you Soner. Just to clarify, can they just exit the country eg go south just before the 90 days are up or do they have to visit immigration as well. Sorry, just a little unclear. Thank you

[Keithcaley]

Thank you Soner. Just to clarify, can they just exit the country eg go south just before the 90 days are up or do they have to visit immigration as well. Sorry, just a little unclear. Thank you

A friend's non-EU girlfriend found that they gave her diminishingly shorter and shorter periods as time went on - it got so that they were giving her only 1 day in the end!

There may be some mechanism by which you can apply to Police / Immigration / Interior Ministry for permission to stay longer.

Someone on here will know!

[Soner]

Thanks Keith.

Heaven, I can not see it being a problem. At beginning of stay I would seek advise from appropriate government dept as stated:
"Visitors given less than 90 days on entry but wishing to stay longer (up to 90 days) can apply for extension at the Immigration Department of the Police Headquarters."

[Heaven]

Thank you all. Will do that

[sophie]

Seems that my query is a lot simpler than some people. They are all born and bred Brits flying out of London(forgotten which airport) for 10 days Should be straight forward. Saythat with some trepidation, as we all know things change in the blink of an eye here!!!