Living Here

British High Commission - Consular SectionLast Updated 12 Sep 2022

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION – NICOSIA

Below is some useful information regarding the British High Commission based in Nicosia:

The British Consulate can assist:

But they do not assist:

non-British nationals irrespective of how long they have lived in the UK or their connections to the UK.
Dual nationals in the country of their second nationality (exceptions include minors and certain case types

The British Consulate can assist in the following situations:

Consular Assistance is a global policy
Provide appropriate help if you have been: arrested/detained, a victim of crime, or are ill in hospital.
Provide details of local lawyers, interpreters, health providers and funeral directors
Offer support and help in cases such as: child custody/abductions, death, missing people.
Endeavour to contact you within 24 hours of notification of: arrest/detention, hospitalisation or death (family/NOK)
With YOUR permission, contact friends and family on your behalf
Issue emergency travel documents (ETDs)
Provide information about transferring funds.
Make special arrangements in cases of terrorism, civil disturbances, or natural disasters.

The British Consulate cannot assist in the following situations:

Get you out of prison, prevent the local authorities from deporting you, or interfere in criminal or civil court proceedings
Get you better treatment in prison or hospital than ‘local’ nationals
Give you legal advice, investigate crimes or carry out physical searches for missing people
Get involved in private disputes: property, employment or commercial
Help you enter a country if you do not have the appropriate visa, or your passport is not valid

The commission provides the following advice to help yourself:

Register for a residency permit
Inform the UK pension/benefit services of your move to Cyprus (any change in circumstance)
Health Insurance
Passport – Copy/Next of Kin/up to date
Language – try to learn a little; “a little goes a long way”
Become involved with NGO’s
Keep emergency contacts lists next to your phone
Make contacts and get to know your neighbours – look out for each other

In relation to passports the commission’s advice is:

All applications are dealt with in the UK
The British High Commission in Cyprus no longer has any responsibility for passport applications and cannot assist with enquiries.
Applicants need to send the application directly to the UK. Supporting documents and new passport will be returned to their Cyprus home address from the UK.
For information on how to apply visit: www.gov.uk/overseas-passports
If you require an Emergency Travel Document please contact the High Commission

For crisis work:

Who do we help: