Visa restrictions are spoiling my plans

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 13:21

I was led to believe that UK tourists were given a 90 day visa on entry in to TRNC.

Having recently retired, and not wanting to up root from the UK on a permanent basis, thought that spending 3 months at the start of the year, and 3 months later in the year here in N Cyprus would be the perfect option.

However, after spending 80 or so days here earlier in the year, returned after 6 weeks, to be told at the Pyla crossing that I was to be given 60 days. With the explanation..If you have home here, you must go to immigration and apply for residency. I tried to explain that I don't live, or want to live here and was on holiday.

We were here for 12 days, and returned back to England, so the 60 day visa wasn't a problem.

I have just returned, 6 weeks later again, to be given only 60 days.

Can anyone define the difference between someone who wants to holiday here for a big chunk of the year, and someone who wants to live here and 'border hop' to save going through the process of residen

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 13:41

"I was led to believe that UK tourists were given a 90 day visa on entry in to TRNC"

This is a totally inaccurate statement. It is upto the immigration officer to decide what your motives are here; based on your previous ins and outs, and issue you with a visa that yhey feel is appropriate for your stay. It can be as little as 7 days but may not be more than 90 days.

The immigration officer also has the right not to allow you to enter at all if they feel that you are abusing the correct system for residence.

With immigration you are guilty until you prove your innocence. They really are a law unto themselves.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 13:58

Timothy Msg 2 - Immigration / border police are a law unto themselves in many countries not just the TRNC

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 14:04

Thanks Timothy.

We would gladly apply for residence here, but again, correct me if I'm wrong, have been told that once you have residency, cannot spend more than 90 days out of the country.

I'm at a loss here, ant the TRNC isn't making it very easy for me.

I Think I might just sell up and leave this silly litttle country altogether.

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 15:07

The more than 90 days rule applies if you eventually apply fofr permanent residency. As they're not giving that out any more, it's all a bit academic.

What most of us refer to as "Residency" is more correctly called a "Temporary Residency Permit", and is issued either for 1 year or 2, depending on your age. There is no limit to how long you can leave the country. In fact for various reasons, I've been away for 5 months. I'm back for 2 and then away for another 3.

The only thing you will have to watch is if you need to be out of Cyprus during the time your residency renewal is being processed, and even then it's not too much of a problem to sort out.

I think, however, that you just came across a particular jobsworth at immigration. There are many people who have property here and come over for a few months 2 or 3 times a year. It's perfectly within the rules (as is less than 90 days visa!)

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 16:21

I think if you use Ercan as your entry/exit point you will not have such a problem.

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
27/10/2011 17:24

Suntanman,

ianwfs got it spot on about the actual meaning of "Residency".

And I agree with joandjelly that 90 day visas are more likely to be issued at Ercan than through entering from the South.

NCMan



Joined: 19/09/2009
Posts: 670

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 08:04

Then why do they ask for your ins & outs @ the Police Station on renewal of Residency. ?

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 10:02

As I understand it you now get 90 days if you are 65 years old or older, just 60 days under that.

Geoff

Famagusta City

Tango1


Joined: 19/02/2011
Posts: 1151

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 10:16

Msg. 9 I suspect the 90 days and over 65 is yet another urban myth. It's my experience that it all depends on the Immigration officer on duty and whether he's having a bad day!! What I do believe is that you have far les agrro coming in to Ercan than you do elsewhere.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 11:50

Re Msg 10: You maybe right on that, in which case par for the course as they say.

Regards Ercan - you are exactly correct.

Geoff

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 13:03

Thanks guys.

I think I understand things a little better now???

It was the same woman at Pyla crossing that gave us 60 days on both occasions.

I'll try your advice and come through Ercan next year, and hopefully she won't have transferred job locations!



Andrew

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 15:24

Is it a Pyla rule perhaps? We also only got the 60 day stamp coming through there in September and it was a woman there as well. We were in the taxi and the driver went to get the visa stamped as usual. For the first time ever, we were asked to get out of the car so she could verify that it was our passports!

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
28/10/2011 15:55

My Msg No. 9 was based on my personal experience at the Strovilia crossing, being the nearest one to us in Famagusta (GaziMagusa). I am 67 years old.

Geoff

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
29/10/2011 00:17

Msg 8. I've been here 5 years, and I've never been asked for my ins and outs. Even on the first application. It may be that they check it on their system, but I've never had to produce any stamped slips (which in any case I bin when they're full!). Another urban myth, I suspect.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
29/10/2011 02:03

When I was coming here on holiday in the early 90s I was stopped and asked why I came so often. Rejecting clever answers such as "Because I am a spy...........or a smuggler" I replied "I like the countryand the people " (biting my tongue before I could add "but I am prepared to make an exception in your case"). Maybe it is the frequency of visits, rather than duration, that raises queries.

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
29/10/2011 05:35

Then why do they ask for your ins & outs @ the Police Station on renewal of Residency. ?







They don't



T