Can I fly into the South and out of the North????

[tiny]

Dear Cypriots,
I live and work in Egypt and will be traveling to Dalaman (Turkey) on business next week. Since it's on the way, I thought I would stop off and see a friend in Southern Cyprus for a couple of days.
Ideally I would like to fly Cairo-Larnaca and then to get to Dalaman, fly direct from Ercan.
I spoke to a lady at the Cyprus Embassy here who said this was not possible. Can anyone confirm this?
The alternative is flying from Larnaka to Athens to Istanbul to Dalaman, which is hugely expensive and time-consuming.
If I were to fly from Ercan, the flight leaves at 7.30am. Is the border crossing open 24/7. Is there any chance I would get blocked? (Going on business, I can't afford to be delayed).
Thanks for any help you can give!
Tiny

[erolz]

Hi Tiny and welcome to the forum

You can do what you want, if you have the necessary visas for the Republic of Cyprus.

However you will also create a big problem for yourself should you wish to return to the Republic of Cyprus at a later date. According to their records you will have entered the Republic of Cyprus but not left it (as your visa will require) as they will not recognise the exit via the north. This may well cause you problems if you return to the Republic of Cyprus at a subsequent time.

[tiny]

Thanks a lot for your answer Erolz. I hadn't thought of that! I think I'll probably do the outward and return journey via Cyprus - fly into Larnaca, cross to Ercan, go to Turkey, come back and leave again from Larnaca. That way I shouldn't have any problems, right?
Thanks again,
Tiny

[erolz]

I am afraid that you may also hve problesm with that

In strict legal sense you are not allowed to cross from north to south if you have entered Cyprus from the north. or you are allowed to cross but then can be arrested for hainving entered Cyprus via a prot of illegal entry (ie via the north). The Republic of Cyprus has agreed with the EU not to impose such restrictions on EU citizens and in reality it does not impose them on non EU nationals that do not require a visa to visit the Republic of Cyprus (like NZ , Oz ans US nationals). However it does at times refuse to let visa requiring nationals cross, or even at times allows them to cross and then arrets them.

Now it may well be you would be ok. You enter Cyprus via the South (legally) - cross over to the north and later return from the north to the south and leave leaglly from the south having originally entered via the south. The only problem would come if there is a stamp in your passport showing that whilst in the north you left CYprus and re entred via a port of illegal entry (Ercan). An eagle eyed Republic of Cyprus crossing guard may well then deem you have entred CYprus from a prot of illegal entry and are not an EU citizen and thus can not cross back to the south or can cross but only to be arrested.

I am ossy this is all so complicated. If you had an EU passport you would be fine. As a non EU antional it is more complicated. The chaces are you would not have any problems, but there is a chance you will and you should be aware of this.

[100%cypriot]

My dear friend wellcome to the forum , don't waste your time , just fly strait to turkey , save yourself the possible grief

[tiny]

Thanks for all that. I fear I shall not make it to Cyprus this time. It's such a shame that the current situation makes life so difficult. Let's hope a mutually agreeable solution is found in the near future.
All the best,
Tiny