How To Apply For Turkey Visa 2024

A Turkey Visa is a permit to enter Turkey and stay for a set length of time. It allows you to participate in a variety of activities, including studying and working.

Some visas allow you to apply for a Turkish resident permit and stay in Turkey for at least one year.

• Who Needs a Turkey Visa?

There is a long list of world nationals that need a Turkey visa to enter the country. Exempt are only the nationals of countries that have good diplomatic relations with Turkey.

Those that need to apply for a Turkey Visa are grouped in two:

• Foreigners that can apply for an e-visa for tourism or commerce, and a sticker visa for other purposes.
• Foreigners that should get a sticker visa for Turkey for any purpose of entry.

In addition, there are some categories, which are exempt from both groups. Check this detailed article on who needs a Turkey visa, with full lists of all these categories and exemptions.

*Visa free countries for Turkish passport holders.

• Turkish Visa Application

To apply for a visa to enter Turkey, you must follow a few steps. You should ensure that you finish all of them accurately and in the proper order. If you make any mistakes, your application may be rejected, which can have an impact on future applications.

Before you begin taking actual steps, you need learn a few things about the Turkey visa application in your home country. First, consider whether you need a visa at all. If so, read on to learn more.

• Check what type of Turkish visa you need to apply for.
• Find out when is the right time to apply.
• Check where to submit your Turkey visa application.
• Collect the required documents.
• Submit the application
• Wait for processing

Check what type of Turkish visa you need to apply for

There are a few Turkish Visa types, for which you can apply. The main thing that you need to know is whether you can apply for an e-visa or a sticker visa.

Note that according to the purpose of traveling to Turkey you will need to select one of the following main Turkish visa types:

Turkish Tourist/Business Visa – You can apply for this visa if your primary reason for traveling to Turkey is transit, tourism, business meetings/commerce, conferences/seminars/meetings, festivals/fairs/exhibitions, sporting activity, cultural-artistic activity, official visit, or visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Turkish Education Visa – You can apply for this visa if the main purpose of the application is for doing an internship, attending a course or other educational purposes, in Turkey or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Turkey Work Visa – You can apply for this visa if the main reason for traveling to Turkey is for work, or if you are an assigned scholar, sportsperson, artist, free zone worker, journalist, or montage and repairman in Turkey.

Other Visas – You may also apply for visas that do not fit within the categories stated above, such as archaeological excavation, exploration, documentary, tour operator representative, medical treatment, accompaniment, family unification, freight visa, or seafarer visa.

• Find out when is the right time to apply

Turkish authorities recommend that you apply for a Turkish sticker visa at least one month before your travel. As a result, you will be able to prevent any difficulties caused by application processing delays. However, the earliest you can submit an application is 60 days before your anticipated journey to Turkey.

• Check where to submit your Turkey visa application

Your Turkish visa application must be submitted to the Turkish embassy or consulate in your place of residency. In some countries, you may be required to submit your application to a third-party visa processing center, to which Turkey has outsourced visa submission.

However, Turkish embassies and consulates are the exclusive authorities in charge of processing in every international country.Following, the application process for a Turkish visa is thoroughly outlined.

• Apply for a Turkish Sticker Visa

To apply for a Turkish Sticker Visa, first fill out the online form, which includes a few questions about your identification, nationality, and purpose of visit. If you do not require a visa for Turkey or are eligible for an e-visa, the system will notify you as soon as you provide this information.

If not, you will need to provide some further information. The system will also tell you what documents are required to apply for that specific type of visa for admission into Turkey. You will also be provided with a date and time for your visa interview.

On the day of your interview, go to the Turkish embassy or consulate in your place of residency. Make sure you have all of the necessary documentation with you. You will have a brief interview with a consular officer, who will ask you questions about your travel.

• Required Documents to Apply for a Turkey Visa

To apply for a Turkish visa, you must present a few documents on the day of your interview. These documents are a vital component of the application procedure; thus, you should collect each one in accordance with the criteria and specifications established by the Turkish authorities. Additional documentation may be required depending on the type of visa you are asking for and, in some cases, your nationality.

• Turkey Visa Application Processing

The processing of a Turkey visa application is determined by the country from which you apply. While some countries respond within three days, others may take up to 15 working days on average.

When applying for a work visa, the processing time can be up to 25 working days.You can track the status of your application on the same website where you started it.

• Applying for a Turkish e-Visa

If you need a Turkish eVisa, the application process is much shorter and easier. To obtain an eVisa for Turkey, complete the steps outlined below.

• Go to the Turkish eVisa Website and complete the online application form.
• Check your email. You should receive an email within minutes requesting confirmation that you have begun an eVisa application. If this email does not appear in your inbox, it was most likely delivered to your spam folder. Click the link you received to return to the eVisa application website.
• Pay the fee. You will next need to pay the eVisa application fee online at the eVisa website. Once you have paid the money, the website will notify you that you will receive an email with the eVisa.
• Download your e–Visa. You will once again receive an email. This will not be the eVisa, but rather a button that will direct you back to the same page where you can obtain your eVisa.
• Print your e–visa. The Turkish authorities require you to produce your e-visa in paper form. It is not acceptable to show the border authorities a version of your e-visa on your phone or other equipment. E-visas must be printed.

How Much Does it Cost to Apply for a Turkish Visa?

When you apply for a Turkish visa, you will be required to pay a specific price. The fees for a Turkey sticker visa and an e-visa differ.

• Depending on your nationality, the Turkish e-visa fees range from €14 to €71.
• For most nations, however, Turkish visa prices for sticker visas range from €117 to €180. However, nationals of some other countries, such as the UAE, may be required to pay extra visa fees of up to €465.

Turkish Visa Validity

A Turkish visa allows you to stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within six months. Note that based on your nationality, you will be able to stay in Turkey for:

• Up to 30 days within six months
• Up to 60 days within six months
• Up to 90 days within six months
• Up to 60 days per visit, 90 days within six months
• Up to 30 days per visit, 90 days within six months

It is worth noting that the validity of a visa is the same for both e-visa and sticker visa holders.

• After You Arrive in Turkey

If you are in Turkey to work or study, you should register with the nearest local police department upon arrival. If you intend to stay in Turkey for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a residency permit with the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration. Those in Turkey on a tourist or commercial visa cannot apply for a residency permit.

• What Documents Do I Need to Present at the Turkish Port of Entry?

When you arrive at the Turkish port of entry, you will be required to submit several documentation proving your eligibility to enter.

If your nationality qualifies you for the Turkish visa regime, you must show the following:

• Your valid passport
• Your e-visa or sticker visa, as applicable.

Note that the nationals of the following countries can enter Turkey with only their IDs:

• Germany
• Belgium
• France
• Georgia
• The Netherlands
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Italy
• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Portugal
• Greece

It should be noted that nationals of Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Portugal can also enter Turkey with a passport that has expired within the last five years.

FAQ

• How long should my passport be valid to be eligible for Turkey visa application?

Travelers intending to enter Turkey must have a passport that expires at least 60 days after the “duration of stay” of their visa, e-Visa, visa exemption, or residence permit, according to Turkish legislation.

• Can I visit Turkey with a Schengen Visa?

You can enter Turkey with a Schengen visa under the following conditions:

• You must be a national of one of the 63 world countries and territories eligible to apply for an e-visa for tourism and business.
• You must be traveling to Turkey with an airline that has protocols with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• You must have a hotel reservation and the required financial means.

Can I visit Turkey with a US Visa?

You can enter Turkey with a US visa under the same criteria as apply to entering Turkey with a Schengen visa.

• Do I need to enter Turkey on the exact date specified in my application?

No, you do not, because the validity term of your e-Visa begins on the date mentioned in your application. You are free to enter Turkey on any date you desire during this time.

• Can I get an e-visa for work and study?

No, you will require a Turkish sticker visa to study or work in Turkey. Turkish e-visas are solely valid for tourist and business purposes.

• What is the latest I can apply for an e-Visa?

The deadline to apply for an e-Visa is 48 hours before your journey. On the other hand, you can apply up to three months in advance.

• Can I fill-in the e-visa form in another language

In addition to English, French, and Spanish, the following options will be added to the e-Visa system soon: Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, German, Arabic, and Chinese language.

• Can I get a refund if I do not use my Turkish visa?

No, the Turkish authorities do not refund payments for unused Turkish sticker visas or e-Visas.

• May I apply for a new e-Visa while I am in Turkey?

If you are in Turkey and your e-Visa is about to expire, you will be unable to apply for another e-Visa within Turkey without first leaving the country. You can, however, apply for a residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management provided you match the requirements.

• What happens if I overstay my Turkish Visa?

If you overstay your Turkish visa, you may face a fine, deportation, or a temporary restriction from entering Turkey.

• What is a ‘UK Special Passports’ in the Turkish e-Visa system?

A UK Special passport is a British passport bearing the designations British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person, or British Subject. Holders of these British passports must apply for a sticker visa before traveling to Turkey.

• Do I need travel insurance for Turkey?

All travelers who need to apply for a visa to Turkey are required to have adequate Turkish travel insurance coverage.