Information

A visa is a document that allows its holder to enter Turkey and travel within the country for a set period.

For tourism and business trips, citizens of eligible countries can apply online instead of applying at a Turkish embassy or consulate or, for some nationalities, at the border on arrival. The application requires personal, passport and travel details, and the fee is paid by credit or debit card.

Passport control officers can check visas at the border, but travellers are advised to carry a printed copy or a digital copy on a phone or tablet in case of a technical problem.

A visa does not guarantee entry. The final decision is made by Turkish border officials at the port of entry.

The application generally requires:

• a passport or another accepted travel document,
• a recent photo to upload with the application,
• the planned date of arrival in Turkey,
• a valid email address,
• a credit or debit card to pay the fee.

Under Article 7(1)(b) of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, the passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of the visa, visa exemption or residence permit. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advises travellers to hold a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.

Depending on nationality, additional conditions may apply, such as holding a valid visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen country, the USA, the UK or Ireland. Check the conditions for your nationality before applying.

An online application can be made at any time from anywhere with an internet connection. It saves the time that would otherwise be spent applying at a Turkish embassy or consulate or, where this option exists, obtaining a visa on arrival at the border.

No. The visa is valid from the date given in the application, and you can enter Turkey on any date within its validity period. The number of days you may stay depends on the type of visa and your nationality.

No. An issued visa cannot be amended. If the new dates still fall within the validity period of the existing visa, it can be used as it is. Otherwise, a new visa is needed.

Yes. Each traveller who needs a visa, including children, must have their own visa. A visa covers only the person it was issued to.

No. The official visa fee is not refunded for a visa that has been issued but not used.

No. A visa whose details do not match the travel document is not valid. A new visa with the correct details must be obtained before travelling.

To stay longer than the visa permits, apply for a short-term residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, preferably before the permitted stay ends.

Visas obtained online are valid only for tourism and business trips. For other purposes, such as work or study, a visa must be obtained from a Turkish embassy or consulate.

Overstaying a visa can result in fines, deportation and a ban on entering Turkey for a certain period.

Card details should only be entered on a payment page that uses a secure, encrypted connection, shown by the padlock icon in the browser's address bar.

Payment security also depends on the device, browser and internet connection used and on the bank that issued the card. Use a trusted device and network, keep software up to date and contact your bank if an unexpected transaction appears.

The details of an issued visa cannot be changed. A new visa application with the correct information is required. Before submitting an application, check every detail against the passport.

You can apply at any time before travelling, but it is advisable to apply at least 48 hours before departure.

For visas issued by Turkish embassies and consulates, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends applying at least one month before the planned trip.

Questions about an application made at a Turkish embassy or consulate general should be addressed to that embassy or consulate general. If the application was submitted through a visa application centre, contact that centre.

Applicants are responsible for the accuracy of the information in their application. The official visa fee is not refunded when a visa is issued with incorrect details, and a new visa is needed.

No. The fee for a visa applied for online can only be paid by credit or debit card. The card does not have to be in the applicant's name.

Enter the middle name in the “Given Name(s)” field, directly after the first name and separated by a space, exactly as it appears in the passport.

No. The payment receipt shows the address entered in the visa application, and it cannot be changed separately.

The CVV / CVC / CVC2 is a security code printed on the card. On Visa and Mastercard cards, it is the three-digit number on the back of the card, on or next to the signature strip.

Cruise passengers who arrive at a Turkish seaport for tourism may enter without a visa for up to 72 hours to visit the port city and nearby provinces. This visa-free entry depends on permission from the local authorities, and the port entry permit issued on arrival must be returned when leaving.

The exemption does not cover arriving in or leaving Turkey by air, for example flying in to join a cruise. In that case, a visa is required unless the traveller's nationality is visa-exempt.

Yes. Each child who needs a visa must have their own visa, even when included in a parent's passport. If the child has a passport of their own, a separate visa application can be made for the child, or a sticker visa can be requested from the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate general. If the child does not have a passport of their own, contact the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate general before travelling.

The supporting visa or residence permit must still be valid on the date of entry into Turkey. Single-entry visas are accepted whether or not they have been used, as long as they are valid on the entry date.

Visas obtained online from other countries are generally not accepted as supporting documents.

The official visa fee depends on the nationality (country of travel document) and the type of travel document. It is set by the Turkish authorities and can change, so check the current fee for your nationality before applying.

The validity period and the permitted length of stay depend on the nationality and the type of travel document. For example, some nationalities can obtain a single-entry visa for a stay of up to 30 days, while others can obtain a multiple-entry visa for a stay of up to 90 days.

In every case, the total stay cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.

The total stay in Turkey cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period, whether on a visa or visa-free. Days already spent in Turkey within that period count towards the limit.

The 180-day period is counted on a rolling basis: on any given day, all days spent in Turkey during the preceding 180 days count. After a single continuous stay of 90 days, a new stay is therefore possible once 180 days have passed since the first entry date; if the days were spread over several trips, the date depends on when the earlier days fall outside the 180-day period. If only part of the 90 days was used, the remaining days can still be used within the same 180-day period with a valid visa.

Holding a second passport does not give an additional 90 days.

No. Once a visa expires, a new visa cannot be obtained without leaving Turkey. To stay longer, apply for a residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. Visas for other purposes, such as work or study, are issued by Turkish embassies and consulates.

Overstaying a visa can result in fines, deportation and a ban on entering Turkey for a certain period.