Hello ! Is it possible to enter the Republic from the North now?

Pekinger


Joined: 31/05/2009
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 18:52

well, i am planning my journey to Turkey and Cyprus now. I know the bad relationship between the Republic and the North. I've already read the Lonely Planet, it is said " You are also allowed to cross the Green Line into the Republic if your point of entry into the country is in the North.



So I would like to know the recent situation of entering the Green Line from the North. You know I would like to vist both the Republic and the North. But my first station is Tukey. There is no direct flight or ship to the Republic. It would be inconvenience to across the border between Turkey and Greece and fly to the Republic from Athens.



If I could across the Green Line from the North. What should I pay attenion? To aviod the custom offical of the North stamping directly on my passport when I arrive the North?



Thanks !

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 18:58

If you are a citizen of EU they have to let you through. If you are American citizen they turn a blind eye. Anything else and most probably it is a no no situation.

ismet

harryroberts


Joined: 05/05/2009
Posts: 117

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 18:59

i have friends who have done this with no problem however as i understand it the only internationally reonised ports of entry are in the south. that is way there are no direct flights to the north.

roisin


Joined: 19/03/2009
Posts: 358

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 19:04

EU members can cross over to the South without visas etc. i don't know if other nationalities can. When we go over we fill out a small form with Passport number,name etc.this is stamped each time you leave and return.We also have a residency stamp in our passport and have never had any trouble going over. My Iranian and Turkish friends have said they cannot go and visit the South. I think you can also get this form at Ercan airport to avoid having your passport stamped, I've been here 5 years so not sure if that is still true.

Les&Tasha


Joined: 17/03/2009
Posts: 31

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 12:34

Hi,



We did this three weeks ago. We are british expats living in Turkey. We travelled over on the Alanya - Girne passenger ferry (Fergun). Pleasant 4 hour trip. Met by a taxi at Girne Harbour and through to the south with no problems at all. Returned to the North few days later, through Ledra checkpoint. Took 5 mins. Thye ferry ride back to Turkey was quite rough. Both kids were throwing their toe nails up! On time though. Hope this helps.

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 13:37

On two occassions while staying at Sammy's hotel in Girne, I have come across guests making an unforseen overnight stay. They had driven from UK to Mersin and then caught the ferry to Girne, with the intention of driving to their new home in the RoC. Everything had gone smoothly until they got to the crossing point where they were turned back by RoC immigration for entering the island through an illegal port. The only option they had been given was to return to Greece, freight their vehicle over, and then fly into the RoC.

On the first occassion, I asked for advice on a message board, and the view was that the RoC officer had given wrong information and should have allowed the free passage, however, for that couple they had already arranged to return to Greece. After relating this information to the second family, they decided to try again in the hope that the original officer had gone off shift. They got through without any problems.

So, what is the legal position on this?

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 18:08

I noticed that sometimes it depends on t he particular officer , even though you can pass by rights , some choose to be awkward , for instance in the past month , an iranian student i know with a shengen visa , has attampted to cross for shopping 8 times during may , 5 times she made it across and back , 3 times they didnt allow her , work that one out !!

guinness


Joined: 10/03/2008
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 19:39

RE: Msg 7



As you know Schengen is a small group of EU countries with no visible border restrictions. So yes, she was lucky getting through as Cyprus is not a member of that group. But remember it is not a 'border', the crossing points - as explained to me by a GC officer - are control points. Therefore they do not issue visas - formally - no matter what some may say the white sheet is. I was told by the officer that they review every case on its merits, and if enough evidence is given by the individual which leaves them to believe that s/he will return, then they will let s/he pass. But the overriding factor was the attitude of the shift on duty at any one time. Lefka Palace is a good one to use though and not the new one in the centre of town. HTH



guin

andre 514


Joined: 31/03/2008
Posts: 1163

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 20:26

harry roberts msg 3



I'm not highjacking this thread harry, but you never answered my question the other day:



you stated that you chose to buy property in south cyprus rather than the trnc,

for purely practical reasons and were not at all interested in politics

I was curious enough to ask if "you ever received your ownership papers from the roc land registry"



this was topical at the time due to the scandal of south cyprus developers selling mortgaged homes



it would imply of course that neither such as yourself nor the typical north cyprus brit

actually owned the place they had purchased, according to one interpretion of international law

it might be interesting to hear about your experience of property purchase in south cyprus,

and I am quite intrigued that you took the time to go on a trnc website to explain your point of view



my opinion on the recognition of ercan:

if the south cypriots relaxed this and similar blocking actions it may help towards a settlement