Effective 16th May 2011, the British Consulate in Cyprus will no longer process UK visa applications, including UK fiancee visas, UK marriage visas, UK proposed civil partner visas, UK de facto (unmarried partner) visas and UK civil partnership visas.

All settlement and non-settlement visa applications made in Cyprus after 16th May 2011 will be forwarded to the regional British Consulate in Rome, Italy for processing. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials in Cyprus will play no role in the decision-making process.

Once the UK Border Agency team in Rome has made a decision on a visa application, original documents will be returned to the British Consulate in Cyprus that will advise the applicant of the outcome of their case.

According to the UKBA, these changes will not affect visa processing times.