Author Topic: Overstaying visa  (Read 2137 times)

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Offline janmack

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Overstaying visa
« on: October 09, 2011, 08:23:03 AM »
My bro-in-law and his girlfriend overstayed their visa by 5 days when they were on holiday in Bodrum a couple of weeks ago.  
They were asked to pay £70 each but they couldn't as they did not have enough cash on them.  
They were then told by airport security they cannot come back to Turkey for 5 years.  
Angie has since been advised that if she goes to the Turkish Consulate in London and pays the money the 5 year ban will be over-ruled.  I am not convinced to be honest.  
Can anyone advise please?  Many thanks.

Offline nichola

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Overstaying visa
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2011, 14:04:48 PM »
Jan, normally you are expected to pay the fine and you will not be allowed to re enter the country for 3 months.

If there is a penalty for not paying the fine I would be surprised if it was for 5 years but if they haven't yet paid the fine it might be a good idea to do so as soon as possible.

Hope this helps  :)



Offline janmack

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Overstaying visa
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2011, 15:05:25 PM »
Thanks Nichola.  It does seem a bit extreme!

Offline maecy

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Overstaying visa
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2011, 20:01:33 PM »
I overstayed on my visa a couple of months back, the fine was 120tl. Usually they only ban you if you overstay by more than ten days on a tourist visa and try to leave the country (rather thansorting it out at a police station before going to the airport.) I think if your relations pay the fine the ban will then be reduced to a three month one,theoretically you are allowed to pay the fine when you next come to turkey, perhaps the excessively long ban is an incentive to get them to pay sooner? Incidentally if you have a residence permit all the fines have recently been vastly reduced.

Offline maecy

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Overstaying visa
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2011, 20:05:11 PM »
Also when you are banned, they give you a piece of paper formally stating that you're banned and for how long (I think you have to sign it too.) If they didn't get one they probably aren't.

Offline kizkucuk

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Overstaying visa
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2011, 20:14:00 PM »
Contact the Consulate by email or phone for advice - my understanding is they can ban you for anything from 3 months to 5 years - even if you pay the fine and the reduce the ban to 3 months you still have to apply for your next visa from the Consulate in the UK before travelling to Turkey.

Offline maecy

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Overstaying visa
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2011, 20:23:30 PM »
The re-aplying from the consulate is definately what it says on their website although at one point I got banned, my husband had it over turned from turkey and then I came back as usual at the end of my two week UK holiday. I did try to contact the embassy but they weren't so good at either answering emails or the phone.

Offline janmack

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Overstaying visa
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2011, 06:40:58 AM »
Thanks for the replies...really useful.  Apparently they were asked to sign some documents but, from what I can make out, they refused.  It all sounds very strange, I get the impression they were both "tired and emotional":(  They live in London so I'll suggest they go to the consulate in person to pay and apply for a visa...assuming they want to come back :)

Offline nichola

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« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2011, 08:09:01 AM »
Jan they will need to make an appointment - if they turn up all that will happen is that they will have to make an appointment and go back again.

Refusal to sign the forms is probably the reason for being told a 5 year ban.

A letter of apology and explanation that they really had no money and didn't understand what was happening and were worried about signing forms they didn't understand might be helpful to the cause...  ;)

Offline janmack

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Overstaying visa
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2011, 08:12:15 AM »
I think you're right Nichola, a letter of apology is a very good idea.  Many thanks ;)




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