Entry Requirements for Turkey: Visa Types & Application Tips

Planning a trip to Turkey for a week? You must know all about different visa types and requirements for a smooth journey to the country. In this guide, you will know the entry requirements and all the available visa types for you.

Tourists from across the world visit Turkey for its food, a unique blend of European and Asian cultures, and its historical importance. So, no matter if you are a food lover, an explorer of historical sites, or a travel enthusiast, Turkey has all the things to attract you.

But if you are visiting for the first time from a foreign country, you will have to follow certain rules and regulations. The first thing to start with is a valid visa. There might be different types of visas issued by Turkey. Choosing the right one is the key to a seamless journey to the country.

Turkey Entry Requirements: What Travelers Must Have

Let’s take a look at the requirements for visiting Turkey:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of your arrival in the country
• Approved Turkey visa (keep a printout of the approved visa)
• Return ticket from Turkey to your country
• A travel visa

If you have the above-mentioned documents with you, you can have a great journey to the country.

Visa Types Available for Entering Turkey

A visa is an official document that allows you to enter a country legally. Now, let’s look at the different types of visas offered by Turkey. The country allows different types of visas for foreigners. Let’s take a look at different types of visas:

Tourist/Businessperson Visa

This type of visa includes Tourist visa, Single and double transit visa, Visa to attend a meeting, carnival, festival, official visit, etc. So, the best way to apply for the correct visa is to define your reason for the visit correctly. This is one of the most common Turkey entry requirements that you must meet.

Official Visa

It is assigned to foreigners who are visiting Turkey for their assigned duty. Planning a trip to Turkey for official reasons? Apply for the Official visa.

Student or Education Visa

To study in the top colleges and universities of Turkey, you will need a Student or Education visa. Based on your purpose, such as an internship, Turkish language learning course, or general education, you will have to choose from the specific options.

Working Visa

The name itself suggests that you will have to apply for this type of visa if you are visiting the country for employment. Artists, sportspersons, and journalists can also apply for this visa if they are assigned to work in the country.

Other Visa Types

People from different countries can also visit the country if they are working on preparing a documentary, for treatment, accompaniment, want to explore the country, or for excavation and other reasons.

Remember that applying for the correct visa types before planning a tour to Turkey is one of the most important Turkey entry requirements. If you have official work in the country and you have applied for and received a tourist visa, then you might be breaking the rules.

How to Apply for the Turkey eVisa

Turkey's entry requirements​ involve several documents, and you also need to ensure that you are eligible to visit the country. Turkey has agreements with a few countries that allow citizens of those countries to visit without a passport. Instead, the national ID can be granted as a valid proof. Citizens from some countries can visit with an expired passport, yet it can be considered valid for a certain period of time.

However, people from countries other than the above-mentioned categories must carry a valid passport to enter Turkey. Now, let’s look at the visa application process for Turkey:

• Step 1

  Check if you are eligible and find out which visa type suits your purpose of visit to the country.

• Step 2

  Keep your passport ready and start the application process. Check that your personal details are accurate and exactly similar to those mentioned on your passport.

• Step 3

  If you find that all the personal details of the application are correctly mentioned, submit it online.

• Step 4

  Next, you will have topiary for the Turkey visa application. So, before you start your application process, make sure you have access to a credit or debit card that allows international transactions.

• Step 5

  Wait for a few days to receive the approved visa. The electronic visa will arrive at the email you provided during the application.

• Step 6

  Download the digital copy and keep a print of the same in your handbag when traveling in Turkey.

Required Documents for a Turkey eVisa

Applying for a Turkey visa might need a few documents, but they are easy to get. You need a valid passport with more than 6 months of validity beyond your day of arrival in the country. If you are applying for a tourist visa, keep an itinerary prepared. You should also keep the documents, like admission proof to a Turkish institute, or keep the work document ready at hand as a supporting document for a visa application.

Tips for a Smooth Visa Application Experience

A visa application for Turkey visit might look simple, but some people make such insignificant mistakes that create unnecessary complications. Remember the following tips to experience a smooth visa experience.

• Make sure that your passport will be valid for six months from the date of your visit to the country
• Also, make sure you have entered all the personal details of the applicant exactly as printed on the passport. If there is a difference in spelling in the passport and in your application, your visa application might be cancelled.
• Don’t forget to make the payment. If you don’t make payments, your visa application will not be processed.
• After you receive the visa through email, keep a printout of the eVisa.

What to Do If You Want to Stay More Than the Allowed Period?

As a foreign resident, you can stay for a maximum of 90 days in Turkey within a period of 180 days. In case you want to live more than 90 days in the country, you will have to apply for a “Short Term Residence Permit.”

You will have to visit the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration to apply for the extended residence permission. Once you get the permission, you can live longer than the visa period allowed.

Plan a Trip to Turkey with a Valid Visa

Now that you know about the different types of Turkey visa - plan a trip to the country. Apply for a visa that suits your purpose. You can choose from a tourist visa, a work visa, a student visa, or other variations. Follow all the rules and regulations while staying in the country.

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Check your eligibility for Turkey Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Armenian Citizens, Afghan citizens, Bahamas citizens and Taiwanese citizens can apply online for Electronic Turkey Visa.