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Overstay fine
By Joan Craigen For Northern Cyprus Jun 19,2022We return travelled from Kyrenia North Cyprus via Pyla border crossing
Passport control informed us we had overstayed by 33days and have to pay fine.
They did not tell us how much we have to pay before we can return September
We were not issued with visa for 30 days on entry we were NOT informed we could only stay 30 days.
We assumed 90/180 days were allowed without visa.
Please help us
Replies 6 Replies
How is this appalling behaviour doing anything to improve the status of the TRNC, and bring tourist revenue that they so greatly need? Tax by stealth, that in my view isn't legal, that you have to accept without even being told what your status is when you enter, or even asked how long you will be staying for? My partner and I had an identical experience on 22nd June 2023 (we had arrived via Larnaca on 22nd May), and on arrival back at the Metahan Border were told we had overstayed by a day and had to pay a fine! After refusing to pay they took our passports, photocopied them, and made us sign a paper in Turkish that was not explained to us. Furthermore, one of the officers told us that if we had crossed over Ledra Street to the RoC, our visa would have been renewed for 30 days on crossing back to the TRNC! I have now had multiple communication with the Consular Section at the TRNC Office in London, and it appears there is nothing they can do to waive these fines. I have been advised that on our imminent trip this month, we should get out of the taxi and tell the officer that we will be staying for 6 weeks this time so as to get the appropriate visa and ensure we are given a white slip with the date of entry and visa on it. OK it will only be £28 fine each (£56 total for 1 day), so we count ourselves lucky having read stories from others trapped by this, and if you would like to read a particularly shocking story, read this: https://cyprusscene.com/2022/10/23/brs-were-right-to-want-to-investigate-trnc-residency-and-entry-rules/ The Consular Section have advised me that "We are very sorry to hear of your ordeal at the checkpoint in Metehan. Rest assured we have informed the relevant authorities to take necessary precautions". And then during a telephone conversation have advised me that the changes will take 24 months to implement! WELL WILL THEY BE REFUNDING THE LIKES OF US, WHEN THEY DO MAKE THE CHANGES? I DOUBT IT. Meanwhile, they must have CHEATED many hundreds of people by doing this. No wonder Ozankoy bars and restaurants are so quiet!
How is this appalling behaviour doing anything to improve the status of the TRNC, and bring tourist revenue that they so greatly need? Tax by stealth, that in my view isn't legal, that you have to accept without even being told what your status is when you enter, or even asked how long you will be staying for? My partner and I had an identical experience on 22nd June 2023 (we had arrived via Larnaca on 22nd May), and on arrival back at the Metahan Border were told we had overstayed by a day and had to pay a fine! After refusing to pay they took our passports, photocopied them, and made us sign a paper in Turkish that was not explained to us. Furthermore, one of the officers told us that if we had crossed over Ledra Street to the RoC, our visa would have been renewed for 30 days on crossing back to the TRNC! I have now had multiple communication with the Consular Section at the TRNC Office in London, and it appears there is nothing they can do to waive these fines. I have been advised that on our imminent trip this month, we should get out of the taxi and tell the officer that we will be staying for 6 weeks this time so as to get the appropriate visa and ensure we are given a white slip with the date of entry and visa on it. OK it will only be £28 fine each (£56 total for 1 day), so we count ourselves lucky having read stories from others trapped by this, and if you would like to read a particularly shocking story, read this: https://cyprusscene.com/2022/10/23/brs-were-right-to-want-to-investigate-trnc-residency-and-entry-rules/ The Consular Section have advised me that "We are very sorry to hear of your ordeal at the checkpoint in Metehan. Rest assured we have informed the relevant authorities to take necessary precautions". And then during a telephone conversation have advised me that the changes will take 24 months to implement! WELL WILL THEY BE REFUNDING THE LIKES OF US, WHEN THEY DO MAKE THE CHANGES? I DOUBT IT. Meanwhile, they must have CHEATED many hundreds of people by doing this. No wonder Ozankoy bars and restaurants are so quiet!
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Well, exactly the same thing just happened to us, Joan. An unwitting substantial overstay, but at least they don't make you pay it on the spot. The only thing I can add that might helps others is that (as we just happened to ask) the border official told us that the fine would lapse from the system after 1 year. I don't know if anyone can corroborate that, as I'd certainly like to know myself for sure for future visits.
This has happened to me , I booked 90 days in north Cyprus and crossed the border in a taxi , I didn’t even get out the taxi and they never even looked at me , my 90 days ends in just under 3 weeks and my fine will be substantial , this was a genuine mistake , if you google it’s misleading, it seems like 90 days is limit WITHOUT applying for a visa but I’ve since learnt I should of applied for a visa before , to be honest I was looking to stay a couple of extra months after my 90 days and only found this out chatting to a border officer who I met , I was shocked when he told me I was over b 6 weeks … I def can’t pay fine and I don’t want to be banned forever! I’ve made good friends here , I was going to return next year , any ideas please?
We are in a similar situation yet we are still in North Cyprus. The fine is currently 460TL a day per person. So in your case 33x460TLx number of people in your party. Did they not give you the option to pay when you cross the border to go back to the south? Our understanding is that if we don’t pay at exit the fine will be doubled if you pay next time you enter. And if you don’t pay the doubled fine, you will not be allowed for re entry.