Turkey, Visa Online: Visa Requirements
Turkey is one of the most fascinating destinations, offering a blissful blend of breathtaking scenic beauty, exotic lifestyle, culinary delights, and unforgettable experiences. It is also a prominent commercial hub, offering lucrative business opportunities. No wonder, every year, the country attracts numerous tourists and business travelers from across the world.
If you are planning to visit Turkey for tourism or business purposes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey allows you to apply for a visa online. That means you do not need to undergo the lengthy & complex process of applying for a regular stamp and sticker Turkey visa at your nearest Turkish consulate or embassy.
All eligible foreign visitors from visa-exempted countries can apply for an eVisa. However, the Turkey Electronic Travel Authorization or Turkey eVisa is available only to travelers visiting the country for tourism or commerce. If you want to study or work abroad in Turkey, you need to apply for a regular visa.
Online Turkey Visa or Turkey e-Visa is an electronic travel permit or travel authorization to visit Turkey for a period of upto 90 days. Government of Turkey recommends that foreign visitors must apply for a Online Turkey Visa at least three days (or 72 hours) before you visit Turkey. International tourists can apply for an Online Turkey Visa Application in a matter of minutes. Online Turkey Visa application process is automated, simple, and completely online.
Eligibility Requirements to Obtain a Turkey eVisa
Discussed here are the key Turkey visa requirements you should meet before you can apply online.
Multiple-Entry & Single-Entry Visa
Valid passport holders of eligible countries and territories can obtain a multiple-entry visa that allows them to stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within 180 days of visa validity. A multiple-entry visa means you can enter and leave the country multiple times during the validity of the visa – not extending 180 days from the date of issuance. You do not need to re-apply for an eVisa or travel registration every time you visit.
A single-entry Turkey visa, on the other hand, allows you to enter the country only once. If you want to visit Turkey again, even if it is within the validity of the visa, you would need to apply for a new visa. Passport holders from specific countries, such as Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, etc., are eligible for only single-entry eVisa. This conditional visa allows you to stay in Turkey for up to 30 days, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You must have a valid visa or a tourist visa from any one of the Schengen countries, United Kingdom, United States, or Ireland
- You must have a Residence Permit from any one of the Schengen countries, United Kingdom, United States, or Ireland
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If a traveler plans to leave the airport, they must get a transit visa for Turkey. Even though they will only be in the city for a short while, transit travelers who wish to explore the city must have a visa.Learn more at Transit Visa for Turkey.
Passport Requirements to Apply for a Turkey Visa Online
One of the primary visa requirements is – you must hold a passport that has at least 6 months of validity from the date you intend to visit the country. However, there are certain requirements you should fulfill to apply for a Turkey eVisa:
- You must hold a valid Ordinary passport that is issued by an eligible country
- If you hold an official, service, or diplomatic passport of an eligible country, you cannot apply for an online Turkey visa
- Holders of temporary/emergency passports or identity cards are also not eligible to apply for an eVisa
Remember, if the country of travel document registered on your electronic visa does not match your nationality in the passport, the eVisa will become invalid.
Even if you have a valid eVisa, you cannot enter Turkey if you do not carry your passport which you used to apply for the visa online.
Nationality
When filling up the visa application form online, select your nationality carefully. If you hold a nationality of more than one eligible country, you should choose the country as mentioned in the passport that you intend to use for the travel.
Valid Email Address
One of the most important Turkey visa requirements is to have a valid email address. This is mandatory for all applicants who intend to apply for an eVisa. All communication regarding your visa application will be done via your email address. When you submit the application and pay the fee online, you will receive a notification in your email.
If the application gets approved, you will receive the eVisa in your email within 24-72 hours. You can show this at the entry point or get the eVisa printed. This is why it is mandatory to have a valid email address before you can apply for a visa online.
Online Payment Form
When you complete the application online, you would need to pay the visa processing fee online. For this, you will need to have a valid credit card or debit card to make the payment online
Purpose of Visit
As mentioned earlier, Turkey eVisa is available only for travelers who intend to visit the country for tourism or business purposes for a short duration. Therefore, to be eligible for the Turkey visa, you must provide proof of your purpose of visit.
Tourists and business travelers should provide all supporting documents for their onward/return flights, hotel reservation, or visit to the next destination.
Consent and Declaration
Once you complete the visa application correctly and provide all supporting documents, you need to confirm that you meet all the visa requirements mentioned above. Without your consent and declaration, the application cannot be sent for processing.
The Final Words
If you duly meet all the eligibility requirements, it can be simple and convenient to get your eVisa prior to your arrival in Turkey. You can apply for the visa from anywhere and anytime, provided you have a computer and a stable internet connection. Depending on the speed of visa processing you choose, you can get approval within 24 days.
However, the Turkey passport authorities hold all rights to restrict your entry to Turkey or deport you without stating any reasons whatsoever. Such scenarios may arise if you have a previous criminal history, pose financial or health risks to the country, or fail to provide all supporting documents like the passport at the time of entry.
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Foreign nationals wishing to travel to Turkey for tourist or business purposes can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization called Online Turkey Visa or Turkey e-Visa. Learn more at Eligible Countries for Online Turkey Visa.
Please apply for a Online Turkey Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight.