Cyprus..North to South

[rivonia]

Hi all,

We have been to the Port Police in the South/Paphos and made the enquiry as to sailing a yacht from the Nth to the Sth.

If you do not have a stamp in your passport but have a clearance certificate from Turkey or Greek Island, you can then check into the Sth

So if your boat is in the North (TRNC) you have to check out and then check in at either a Greek Island or Turkey and then you are free to sail to the South. BUT do not tell them that you have been to the North!

All above was told to us by the Port Police.

Peter

 

[Sybaris]

When you arrive in Cyprus (south) you have to fill out a form with your last 10 ports of call, so you will either have to pass by 10 places in Turkey, Greece or other countries after leaving the north, or lie when you fill the form.

 

[rivonia]

When you arrive in Cyprus (south) you have to fill out a form with your last 10 ports of call, so you will either have to pass by 10 places in Turkey, Greece or other countries after leaving the north, or lie when you fill the form.

Suggest you do what I did. This was done YESTERDAY 10th April 2012. FACT At no time was there any indication of having to give 10 last port of calls !

Peter

 

[Sybaris]

Suggest you do what I did. This was done YESTERDAY 10th April 2012. FACT At no time was there any indication of having to give 10 last port of calls !

Peter

Hi Peter,

Did you just inquire or did you actually check in at Paphos? He might not have told you all details. We have checked in to Paphos and Larnaca many times and the procedure is always the same. Having said that, the last time was over a year ago and things do change. I wouldn't count on it though.

Cheers,
Per

 

[Artemis_C2121]

Hi

I can confirm having checked into Latchi (from turkey) there was no mention as to how many stops we had visited before arriving in cyprus.

Marine police, passport, customs and health people only interested in last port of call and correct clearence documentation

Moved to Paphos, then to larnaca no problems but very keen on VAT status of the boat.

Neville

 

[rivonia]

Hi

I can confirm having checked into Latchi (from turkey) there was no mention as to how many stops we had visited before arriving in cyprus.

Marine police, passport, customs and health people only interested in last port of call and correct clearence documentation

Moved to Paphos, then to larnaca no problems but very keen on VAT status of the boat.

Neville

Thanks Artemis.

Peter

 

[Sybaris]

I can confirm having checked into Latchi (from turkey) there was no mention as to how many stops we had visited before arriving in cyprus.

Thanks Artemis, that is good news, we are planning on going there in September.

Per

 

[rivonia]

Thanks Artemis, that is good news, we are planning on going there in September.

Per

Per, I do hope that you have a confirmed booking for Latchi, as it is FULL and some boats are rafted up.

Peter

 

[AussieWayne]

Hi guys I have been following this discussion and others trying to piece together how this north/south impasse impacts on the intending cruiser. Hopefully this discussion is ongoing so I will initially post here as opposed to starting a new thread.
Does anyone know how the process works if I fly into Laranca in the south drive up to the north and pickup a boat there and then clear out of Girne sailing back to Larnaca via say Turkey. The boat and I will obviously have clearance in and out of Turkey but my passport will still have my original Cyprus entry stamp when I flew into Larnaca but no departure/exit stamp.
I would assume that in Larnaca this might just be cause for a few questions to be asked as to how I got to Turkey when I did not leave Cyprus (officially) according to my passport.
I note Rivonia's earlier advice from the Police officer not to mention the TRNC so I could not explain it that way.
Also when one drives by car across the border crossing into the north do they stamp the passport either exiting the south which I doubt (because the south does not reconise the existence of the north from what I can work out) or on entering the TRNC via maybe a loose leaf page that they insert into the passport?
Just trying to get a handle on how this all works as I will need to know shortly and I like to be prepared and legal.
Alternatively if this is too hard and I forget about going back into the south and I head for Greece or anywhere else is there a potential problem in subsequent entries into these other countries with not having officially cleared out of Cyprus. As I understand it no other country except Turkey recognises the TRNC so I guess these countries would not accept the loose leaf entry and exit stamps from the TRNC as being valid.
This might leave me and any crew exposed to a charge of leaving a country (Cyprus) illegally and all the attendant problems that go with that. I wish to avoid that situation as life is far too short to get caught up in that mess and I would much rather be sailing.
Any advice or help welcomed but especially from those who have first hand experience would be great.
Thanks
Wayne

 

[Artemis_C2121]

Hi Wayne

I think your senario depends on which country your passport is issued but think i can shed some light on things as they stand here in Cyprus

1
passing N to S or S to N by land is not an issue the RoC do not stamp or most times even check passports of those crossing however the TRNC check 100% of those that cross and as you say have a loose leaf that they stamp in and out.

2
If you hold a EU passport it will not be stamped on entering RoC at Larnaka so no entry date would be recorded therefore entering back into the RoC not a problem, departing from the TRNC to turkey is not an issue and ferries run daily with passengers going in both directions. However if you hold an non EU passport I would expect that it will be stamped with a visa with an expiory date and as you say if you depart through the TRNC would not have an exit stamp.

I do not know if its possible to request an exit stamp at the crossing points Roc to TRNC they are refered to officially as ceasefire crossings (not boarder crossings) so things are not as straight forward as normal. I will ask a question and see if i can clarify this.

The sticking point regards sailing TRNC to the RoC is that as you have not officially checked into the RoC (they maintain the north is still thier soverign territory and documentation is not recognised) so are therefore have entered the country illegally its a bit of a nonsense really as we recentally had family visit us in the RoC who had taken the ferry fron Antalya to Girne (kyrinia) TRNC we collected them and took them across to RoC without even a question asked so by road its fine but by sea its a problem likely to get your boat impounded you imprisoned and a large fine.

dont know if this anwsers some of your questions or poses some different ones for you will post any info i can find out re exit stamps at the crossings

 

[AussieWayne]

Hi Artemis
Thank you for your considered advice, it is much appreciated.
I have an Australian passport so will potentially face these problems as you point out.
It is an interesting situation if not a little confusing.
That would be great if you could ask the question of whomever as to the possibility of exit stamping at the border crossing. My guess is that the RoC wont exit stamp as they will argue that I am still in RoC even when going over the border in to TRNC because they do not officially recognise the existence of the TRNC and to them the whole island is the RoC. At least that is my read on what I have found out so far. Keen to hear what your questioning turns up.
As I see it if I fly into Larnaca RoC and leave from the TRNC (Girne or Karpaz) to go anywhere except the RoC (and face the consequences) then I will forever be marked as unaccounted for or missing within Cyprus which means I could never go to Cyprus by sea or air without seeing the inside of a RoC jail and parting with probably huge fines. Now I am a bit too old to start that sort of thing. I have never been not able to return to somewhere I have previously been (except maybe my ex wife's place) let alone a whole country.
I wonder if the alternative option might be to fly into Turkey somewhere and pick up a connecting flight to Ercan TRNC. Passport would be entry stamped in Turkey then exit stamped on departure. I would arrive in Ercan TRNC obtain a loose leaf entry stamp then pick the boat up and if I wanted to I could sail into the RoC or cruise to wherever and visit RoC months later. At least this way I solve the problem of officially being lost or MIA in RoC if I chose to arrive via Larnaca RoC.
What are your thoughts on this newly developed plan?
My next problem to solve will be a GOOD surveyor in Cyprus so I will start a new thread but if you can recommend anyone as you are there I would like to know about it.
Once again thanks for your input.
Wayne

 

[rivonia]

Hi guys I have been following this discussion and others trying to piece together how this north/south impasse impacts on the intending cruiser. Hopefully this discussion is ongoing so I will initially post here as opposed to starting a new thread.
Does anyone know how the process works if I fly into Laranca in the south drive up to the north and pickup a boat there and then clear out of Girne sailing back to Larnaca via say Turkey. The boat and I will obviously have clearance in and out of Turkey but my passport will still have my original Cyprus entry stamp when I flew into Larnaca but no departure/exit stamp.
I would assume that in Larnaca this might just be cause for a few questions to be asked as to how I got to Turkey when I did not leave Cyprus (officially) according to my passport.
I note Rivonia's earlier advice from the Police officer not to mention the TRNC so I could not explain it that way.
Also when one drives by car across the border crossing into the north do they stamp the passport either exiting the south which I doubt (because the south does not reconise the existence of the north from what I can work out) or on entering the TRNC via maybe a loose leaf page that they insert into the passport?
Just trying to get a handle on how this all works as I will need to know shortly and I like to be prepared and legal.
Alternatively if this is too hard and I forget about going back into the south and I head for Greece or anywhere else is there a potential problem in subsequent entries into these other countries with not having officially cleared out of Cyprus. As I understand it no other country except Turkey recognises the TRNC so I guess these countries would not accept the loose leaf entry and exit stamps from the TRNC as being valid.
This might leave me and any crew exposed to a charge of leaving a country (Cyprus) illegally and all the attendant problems that go with that. I wish to avoid that situation as life is far too short to get caught up in that mess and I would much rather be sailing.
Any advice or help welcomed but especially from those who have first hand experience would be great.
Thanks
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

NO PROBLEM. Your passport will not be stamped at Larnaca-UNLESS it is non EC. So if you are from an EC country you can officially sail to Turkey or Greece and then onto Sth Cyprus legally.

Fair winds

Peter

 

[AussieWayne]

Hi Wayne,

NO PROBLEM. Your passport will not be stamped at Larnaca-UNLESS it is non EC. So if you are from an EC country you can officially sail to Turkey or Greece and then onto Sth Cyprus legally.

Fair winds

Peter

Hi Peter
Thanks for your input but I am non EC and have an Australian passport so my problem exists. You may have an opinion on my earlier post with a possible alternative.
Wayne

 

[Artemis_C2121]

Hi Wayne

Not had a straight answer to the question so suspect that its not going to be straight forward.

I think your plan B is more than workable as there are many cheap flights from the mainland to TRNC Ercan so for a hassle free life i would be inclined to do it that way. Girne and Karpaz have the the officials to be able to check in and out of TRNC and if coming back to RoC from Turkey Latchi is easy and a pleasent stop over although not much space.
The harbour master for Pahos also has responsibility for Latchi his name is Thomas 00-357-26946840 so worth contacting him when you plan return.
Panos 00-357-99468750 is the guy based at Latchi Thomas is his boss should he not be too helpful
Latchi marine police are right next to the harbour and will arrange for the other officials to come from Pahos to complete your entry paperwork (Customs, health, Immigration)

For me plan B is more workable and very unlikely to throw up any surprises.

Should you need anything my contact details are on our blog (like below)

Regards
Neville

 

[rivonia]

Good day Wayne,

Go with the suggested PLAN B, it is very doable and of course you will be legal.

Have a cool fosters.

Peter

 

[AussieWayne]

Hi Wayne

Not had a straight answer to the question so suspect that its not going to be straight forward.

I think your plan B is more than workable as there are many cheap flights from the mainland to TRNC Ercan so for a hassle free life i would be inclined to do it that way. Girne and Karpaz have the the officials to be able to check in and out of TRNC and if coming back to RoC from Turkey Latchi is easy and a pleasent stop over although not much space.
The harbour master for Pahos also has responsibility for Latchi his name is Thomas 00-357-26946840 so worth contacting him when you plan return.
Panos 00-357-99468750 is the guy based at Latchi Thomas is his boss should he not be too helpful
Latchi marine police are right next to the harbour and will arrange for the other officials to come from Pahos to complete your entry paperwork (Customs, health, Immigration)

For me plan B is more workable and very unlikely to throw up any surprises.

Should you need anything my contact details are on our blog (like below)
Regards
Neville

Thank you Neville for your detailed reply with the contact details I will save these for future reference.
Yes I think I have now changed tack and Plan B will be the target.
Any GOOD surveyors in Cyprus that you know of.
Regards
Wayne

 

[AussieWayne]

Good day Wayne,

Go with the suggested PLAN B, it is very doable and of course you will be legal.

Have a cool fosters.

Peter

Hi Peter thank you for your affirmation re Plan B and always like to be legal.
I will skip the Fosters and go staright to the Wira Wira Church Block red.
Hopefully we can all share one or two when I arrive at Karpaz Gate.
Regards
Wayne