Turkey Visa
If you have plant of travelling to Turkey, you should consider to apply for a visa before entering Turkey. Let’s see do you need a visa or which type of visa should you apply for your trip?
Turkish visas are documents issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its subsequent diplomatic missions abroad with the stated goal of regulating and facilitating migratory flows. There are 78 visa-exempt countries and territories and 42 countries and territories whose citizens are eligible for an e-Visa on arrival.
Turkey E-visa:
In 2015, Turkey changed their visa policy and you are now only able to get a Visa online. You need an e-Visa to be granted access to Turkey, unless you’re a citizen from one of the e-Visa exempt countries (listed below). For most countries, the e-Visa is valid for 180 non-consecutive days, for stays of up to 90 days each, with many countries’ citizens allowed multiple entry.
VISA FREE
Citizens of the following 78 countries and territories do not require a visa to visit Turkey for the durations described below for tourism or business purposes (unless otherwise stated). For visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, an identity card is accepted in lieu of a passport for citizens of some countries
90 days per visit, 90 days per 180-day period
Albania
Andorra
Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
Colombia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Iran
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
LebanonT
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
New Zealand
Nicaragua
North Macedonia
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Qatar
Romania
Saint Kitts and Nevis
San Marino
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Venezuela
60 days per visit, 90 days per 180-day period
- Russia
60 days per visit, 90 days per 180-day period
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Brunei
Costa Rica
Latvia
Macao
Mongolia
Thailand
Turkmenistan
The visa-free regime also applies to the citizens of the following countries under certain conditions:
Cyprus – provided residing in Northern Cyprus and directly arriving from Ercan International Airport or seaports of Famagusta, Kyrenia, or Karavostassi for a maximum stay of 90 days within 180 days
Libya – provided being not older than 12 or younger than 65 for a maximum stay of 90 days within 180 days
Palestine – provided holding a VIP passport
TYPES OF TURKEY VISA
These visas are issued to travellers who are not eligible for visas at points of entry (those visas are also considered tourist visas). Tourists eligible to purchase visas at the Turkish border may also apply for their visas at a Turkish consulate or embassy in their home country
Business visas are similar to tourist visas, but are issued to travellers visiting Turkey on temporary business (meetings, conferences, lectures).
Students may only apply for their visas after they enrol in a Turkish university, school, or language class recognized by the Turkish Ministry of Education.
If you want to live in Turkey for longer than your visa exemption period or tourist visa allows, you need to apply for a residence visa.
Every foreigner working in Turkey requires a valid work permit. These permits are issued by the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS)
Researchers applying to conduct archaeological digs must submit their applications to the Turkish embassy or consulate.
If you intend to film a commercial or documentary film project in Turkey, you must submit an application to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Contact the Ministry for more information. You cannot apply for a film-related visa through a consulate or embassy.
Tourists shooting personal video for non-commercial purposes do not require these visas.
REQUIREMENTS OF TURKEY VISA
The applicant is required to submit the following documents while applying in person:
– Valid travel document (passport) (It should be valid at least three months longer than the expiry date of the requested visa),
– Completed visa application form,
– One passport size photograph of the applicant (It should be affixed on the top left side of the visa application form),
– Documents supporting the purpose and the conditions of the planned visit (e.g. letter of invitation, travel itinerary, round trip ticket, hotel reservation with payment guarantee etc.),
– Guarantees regarding means of subsistence,
– Non-refundable visa processing fee (the amount differs depending on the nationality and visa type),
– If the person applies from a country other than his/her homeland, then he/she should also submit his/her valid residence permit or any document that proves he/she legally stays in that country.
– If the person applies for a business visa, an invitation letter from the counterpart company is also required in addition to the above mentioned documents.
Business visa: If you need a business visa, you will need proof of your business in Turkey. Your employer should be able to provide you with an appropriate letter or document.
Student visa: To apply for a student visa you need a letter from your school proving your enrolment (this takes the place of the letter of invitation or employment).
Residence visa: Submit the required application materials to the Turkish embassy or consulate at least two months before your departure to allow plenty of time for processing. You are not allowed to work in Turkey if you hold a residence visa, so take special care to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially during your stay.
Research visa: Research team members and leaders must submit 7 copies of their application forms and passport photos. Their applications are forwarded to Turkey for review. Once the applications are processed and approved they must then pay an application processing fee.
HOW TO APPLY FOR TURKEY VISA
You can obtain for a Turkey visa by submitting your application to the Turkish Embassy or Consulate nearest to you.
Obtain the visa application form from the Turkish Embassy in your country or you can download the Visa Application Form through the internet. This application form is available free of cost.
Make a check list of the documents that you need to submit along with your application form. Gather all the documents and keep them ready for submission.
Take an appointment for your visa application submission at the Turkish Consulate. Submit your completed visa application form in person or through a representative or travel agent at the Turkish Embassy or Consulate nearest to you, along with all the required documentation. Pay the applicable fee for your visa application at the time of submitting your application form.
After your visa is issued you will be notified about it. Collect your visa on time.
TURKEY VISA COST
Prices vary according to nationality. Some visas must be obtained in advance. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for the up to date prices (see the link below for embassy contact info)
TURKEY VISA PROCESSING TIME
For Turkey processing time may take approximately 7 working days. However, for certain cases, the processing time may take more time and even a month.
VISA APPLICATION FORM
To apply for a visa, applications must complete a Turkey visa application form downloaded from this website then You print and sign it before going to the visa application center.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. I would like to visit Turkey, where can I find information about visas and application requirements?
Please visit https://www.konsolosluk.gov.tr/ekonsolosluk/ internet address to find out about visa application formalities. You can also obtain information from the Ministry’s internet site; http://www.mfa.gov.tr/sub.en.mfa?cc4e437c-6769-4d79-9017-10b63c651224 or contact the Turkish missions in your country (please follow the link: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkish-representations.en.mfa).
2. I will be flying to Europe. I know that our aircraft will land in İstanbul. I am not planning to leave the transit lounge. Do I need to get transit visa?
If you will not leave the transit lounge at the airport you are not required to have transit visa. Otherwise, you have to make visa application to the nearest Turkish Representation. Contact information of the said missions can be reached through www.mfa.gov.tr (Ministry/Turkish Representations).
3. For how long is a visa valid?
Visas are normally issued for the duration you specify, with a maximum of 90 days per 180 days. The visa sticker shows how long you may remain in the Schengen Area, the date on which your visa becomes valid and the date on which your visa expires. After that date, the visa will no longer be valid. Take account of possible delays during your journey, and do not travel on the very last day that the visa is valid. Leave yourself some extra time.