Turkey Visa: What to Know and Is It Necessary?

Table of Contents

Do you need a visa for Turkey?

It depends on which country’s citizen you are. While some citizens from specific countries are obligated to apply for a Turkey visa, some may not need to. However, there are some obligations for foreigners who want to stay in Turkey even though they didn’t apply for a Turkey visa.

Countries requiring a Turkey visa

You need to apply for a Turkey visa to Turkey’s diplomatic representations before coming to Turkey if you are from:

Afghanistan

Malawi

Bangladesh

Mali

Benin

Mozambique

Burkina Faso

Myanmar

Burundi

Namibia

Cape Verde Republic

Nepal

Djibouti

Niger

Chad

Nigeria

Republic of China

Central African Republic 

Eritrea

Pakistan

Kingdom of Eswatini

Rwanda 

Ethiopia

Independent State of Samoa

Ivory Coast (Republic of Côte d’Ivoire)

São Tomé and Príncipe

Gambia 

Senegal

Ghana 

Sierra Leone

Guinea

Somalia

Guinea-Bissau

Sri Lanka

South Sudan

Sudan

Cambodia

Syria

Cameroon 

Suriname

Kiribati 

Tanzania

Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)

Togo

Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa)

Tonga 

North Korea

Tuvalu 

Laos 

Uganda

Lesotho

Vietnam 

Liberia

Zambia

Libya 

Zimbabwe 

Madagascar

Countries exempt from Turkey visa

Citizens of the European Union

Albania 

Andorra 

Argentina 

Azerbaijan 

Belize 

Bolivia 

Bosnia-Herzegovina 

Brazil 

Chile 

Colombia

Ecuador 

El Salvador 

Georgia 

Guatemala 

Honduras 

Hong Kong 

Iran 

Israel 

Switzerland 

Iceland 

Japan 

Jordan 

Kazakhstan 

Kosovo

Kuwait 

Kyrgyzstan

Lebanon

Malaysia

Moldova

Monaco

Montenegro 

Morocco

New Zealand

Nicaragua

North Macedonia 

Liechtenstein

Panama

Paraguay

Peru 

Qatar

Saint Kitts and Nevis 

Norway 

San Marino 

Serbia 

Seychelles 

Singapore 

South Korea

Tajikistan

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Ukraine

United Kingdom

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Vatican City

Venezuela

How to apply for Turkey visa?

You can apply directly from Turkey’s diplomatic representations in your country, through the official Turkey e visa website, or on arrival.

What’s the Processing Time for a Turkish visa?

If you are applying from a representative, it can take 3 to 15 days.

If you are applying for a Turkey e visa, it can take 1 to 10 days.

How Long is the Turkey Visa Valid for?

Single and multiple-entry Turkish visas are valid for 180 days.

What happens if you overstay in Turkey?

If you are a visitor who has stayed in Turkey for more than given days in a 180 day period, you need to apply for a residence permit.

Consequences of overstaying in Turkey

You will be required to leave the country and can be sanctioned depending on how long you overstayed. This situation will negatively affect your future visits.

Types of Turkish Visas

There are four different Turkey visas you can apply and get:

  • Tourist – Business Visa
  • Official Visa
  • Student – Education Visa
  • Working Visa

Turkey Visas Fees

A single entry visa costs 2.304,20 TL (85 USD)

A multiple-entry visa costs 7.718,70 TL (285 USD)

A single transit visa costs 2.304,20 TL (85 USD)

A double transit visa costs 4.623,30 TL (170 USD)

E visa and on-arrival Turkey visa fees change by country.

How to pay for Turkish visa?

You can pay for Turkey visa with cash on arrival or pay online.

Visa Requirements for Turkey

  • A valid passport with at least 60 days more than your duration of stay
  • Your passport should have a blank page
  • Your passport photo shouldn’t be 6 months older
  • Supporting documents from Ireland, Schengen, the U.S.A, or the United Kingdom
  • Traveling for business or tourism
  • Have a returning ticket back to your country
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of income that you can afford your days
  • Have at least 50 dollars for each day

Possible Reasons for Your Turkey Visa Rejection

  • Inaccurate information in the application form
  • Your passport is not valid
  • Insufficient supporting documents
  • Criminal record
  • Previous visa violations
  • Security concerns
  • Overstaying in Schengen countries