www.talkcyprus.org

Crash Test Dummy · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 4911 Location: London(ish)

Both my parents were born and raised in the UK, all my grandparents were born in Cyprus.

To my knowledge I do not need need an exit visa if I visit Cyprus.

Can somebody tell me about these please.

www.cyprusgovernment.com is completely useless

garbitsch · Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 767 Location: Cyprus

What's an exit visa re???

Crash Test Dummy · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 4911 Location: London(ish)

It the thing that gets you out of going to the Army. I never read about them because I knew that you had to be 16. Now I was told about them I am gettign concerned

Dhavlos · Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 4697 Location: Birmingham

I think you may need something....

both my parents were born in cyprus....so im in the same boat.

My cousin, whos parents were both born in the UK was stopped with my uncle(his dad) at larnaca airport...and had to wait ina room for a bit(would have been kept back!!) becasue they didnt have an exit visa...luckily the airport guys let tehm go cost they had their yiayia and his little sister with them.

I would check..better be safe than sorry...but that wasa couple of years ago...the EU laws on freedom of movement may have had an effect on tehm...maybe ring the Republic of Cyprus Embassy in london?

Also...garbitsch, the 'exit visa' is so that you dont have to do military service...because you have to, if you have a granddad born in cyprus(i think...or any grandparents).

garbitsch · Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 767 Location: Cyprus

Yea it's the same regulation in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Even if you were born in London, you still have to if one of your parents or granparents is T.C.

cannedmoose · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:11 am Post subject:

I believe the current rule is that if your father is a Greek Cypriot (not sure how it works if your mother is Greek Cypriot), then you are required to do military service, no matter which country you were born in. Therefore, you need to make sure you have an exit visa arranged in advance of going to Cyprus. I did once find the guidelines on one of the Republic of Cyprus's government websites, I'll see if I can dig out the link again, but it's always best to double-check with the Embassy.

Leon · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 240 Location: England

cannedmoose wrote: I believe the current rule is that if your father is a Greek Cypriot (not sure how it works if your mother is Greek Cypriot), then you are required to do military service, no matter which country you were born in. Therefore, you need to make sure you have an exit visa arranged in advance of going to Cyprus. I did once find the guidelines on one of the Republic of Cyprus's government websites, I'll see if I can dig out the link again, but it's always best to double-check with the Embassy.
:shock: :cry: :cry: :cry:.

Giorgio, have you found anything yet?

Leon.

cannedmoose · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:18 am Post subject:

Leon wrote: cannedmoose wrote: I believe the current rule is that if your father is a Greek Cypriot (not sure how it works if your mother is Greek Cypriot), then you are required to do military service, no matter which country you were born in. Therefore, you need to make sure you have an exit visa arranged in advance of going to Cyprus. I did once find the guidelines on one of the Republic of Cyprus's government websites, I'll see if I can dig out the link again, but it's always best to double-check with the Embassy.
:shock: :cry: :cry: :cry:.

Giorgio, have you found anything yet?

Leon.

www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa.nsf/OverseasUsefulInfoDisplay?OpenForm&InfoID=D2E562584F6E70DAC2256B7B00410AAF

I think this is the page you need, I would check, but all of the Cyprus government websites are down at the moment... :roll:

depurple · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 2876 Location: Australia

There is a special form which you fill in and all you have to do is show them a photocopy of your last tax return, birth certificate, and a letter from your employer. When complete send it to the ministry of defense you will get a certificate exempting you from military for life:
Being a justice of the Peace in the Australian Council Office i have helped 100s fill this form in:
Give me your fax number and I fax one to you:It is in English, Turkish and Greek:
Once we solve the Cyprus problem there will be no army or national service like Australia:Only Rock & Roll and a party everyday!!!

boomerang · Joined: 20 Aug 2005 Posts: 1133 Location: Melbourne

depurple wrote: There is a special form which you fill in and all you have to do is show them a photocopy of your last tax return, birth certificate, and a letter from your employer. When complete send it to the ministry of defense you will get a certificate exempting you from military for life:
Being a justice of the Peace in the Australian Council Office i have helped 100s fill this form in:
Give me your fax number and I fax one to you:It is in English, Turkish and Greek:
Once we solve the Cyprus problem there will be no army or national service like Australia:Only Rock & Roll and a party everyday!!!

10 years ago you used to apply for an exit Visa from the Cyprus embassy in Canberra, get it locally...Today you can still apply but it takes a long time because now it has to come from Cyprus...How pathetic is this?...Screwing around and wasting time...

What the hell is an Australian Council Office?...which state do you reside?...Iam a Melbourian...

cannedmoose · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject:

depurple wrote: There is a special form which you fill in and all you have to do is show them a photocopy of your last tax return, birth certificate, and a letter from your employer. When complete send it to the ministry of defense you will get a certificate exempting you from military for life:

I'm sorry, but that's just plain misinformation... in fact, if people went with that information, the chances are that they could end up drafted into the army on their next visit, so it's not just misinformation, it's dangerous misinformation... to my knowledge there is no such 'certificate' for life exemption, unless you have been approved for exceptional circumstances (health, dependants, prisoners of war, missing father or brother etc.) by the Ministry of Defence.

The MFA link is now working and contains most of the information you'll need.

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa.nsf/OverseasUsefulInfoDisplay?OpenForm&InfoID=D2E562584F6E70DAC2256B7B00410AAF

boomerang · Joined: 20 Aug 2005 Posts: 1133 Location: Melbourne

cannedmoose wrote: depurple wrote: There is a special form which you fill in and all you have to do is show them a photocopy of your last tax return, birth certificate, and a letter from your employer. When complete send it to the ministry of defense you will get a certificate exempting you from military for life:

I'm sorry, but that's just plain misinformation... in fact, if people went with that information, the chances are that they could end up drafted into the army on their next visit, so it's not just misinformation, it's dangerous misinformation... to my knowledge there is no such 'certificate' for life exemption, unless you have been approved for exceptional circumstances (health, dependants, prisoners of war, missing father or brother etc.) by the Ministry of Defence.

The MFA link is now working and contains most of the information you'll need.

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa.nsf/OverseasUsefulInfoDisplay?OpenForm&InfoID=D2E562584F6E70DAC2256B7B00410AAF

The exit Visa only lasts, from memory, 3 months and then you have to exit the country...I don't even think its multi entry/exit...Its a for one shot only...

I hear you have to waste a day in Nicosia if you want to get an exit visa...

Anyone knows the age limit?...

Dhavlos · Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 4697 Location: Birmingham

cannedmoose wrote: depurple wrote: There is a special form which you fill in and all you have to do is show them a photocopy of your last tax return, birth certificate, and a letter from your employer. When complete send it to the ministry of defense you will get a certificate exempting you from military for life:

I'm sorry, but that's just plain misinformation... in fact, if people went with that information, the chances are that they could end up drafted into the army on their next visit, so it's not just misinformation, it's dangerous misinformation... to my knowledge there is no such 'certificate' for life exemption, unless you have been approved for exceptional circumstances (health, dependants, prisoners of war, missing father or brother etc.) by the Ministry of Defence.

The MFA link is now working and contains most of the information you'll need.

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa.nsf/OverseasUsefulInfoDisplay?OpenForm&InfoID=D2E562584F6E70DAC2256B7B00410AAF

My dad has an exit visa which lasts him for life...so he doesnt have to get a new one each time he goes to cyprus.

Age limit? i think it is around 50...but i couldbe mistkaen

cannedmoose · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject:

Dhavlos wrote: My dad has an exit visa which lasts him for life...so he doesnt have to get a new one each time he goes to cyprus.

Age limit? i think it is around 50...but i couldbe mistkaen

The age limit for service is 50 yes. I don't know your dad's specific circumstances, but I've never heard of such a certificate exempting you from National Service for life if you meet the criteria for it, apart from the health and other reasons I cited earlier. To say it's as easy as submitting a tax return, birth certificate and letter of employment is simply wrong though.

Quote: PERSONS WHO ARE EXEMPT FROM COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE

Those exempt from military service include those who live permanently abroad for as long as they continue to reside out of Cyprus.

The following are also exempt:

- persons of dual Cypriot and Greek citizenship provided that during theirpermanent residence in Greece they fulfilled (and did not buy themselves out) their obligation to serve in the Greek Army as provided for in the law of the Republic of Greece,
- all those who at the date of conscription have four or more dependants i.e. all those who are married and have a wife and three or more children who are minors,
- all those who on conscription are considered unsuitable for military service for health reasons.
- the oldest or the only son of the family whose father or brother was killed or went missing while serving in the National Guard.

Dhavlos · Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 4697 Location: Birmingham

Quote: - all those who at the date of conscription have four or more dependants i.e. all those who are married and have a wife and three or more children who are minors,

well, he did forfil this criteria,...however i dont know if it works now im at uni :oops: but then again, we havent been to cyprus for along time now, so we'll see.