A Comprehensive Guide to Turkey Visa Types
Turkey is a fascinating blend of cultural heritage and scenic beauty. It is a well-liked vacation spot everywhere in the world. If you want to explore the lovely country, you can do so by applying for the eVisa for Turkey.
To help you with the process, this blog has all the information you must know about before applying for a Turkey eVisa.
Understanding the Turkish Visa Policy
Turkey categorizes its visitors into 3 categories:
- Countries that are eligible for Turkey eVisa
- Visa-free countries
- Countries that need an advance Turkish visa
It depends on your nationality whether you're eligible for the eVisa or not. So before you start anything, check in which of these categories your country is in.
Countries Eligible for Turkey eVisa
There are over 40 (fourty) countries that are eligible for the Turkish eVisa online. Majority of travelers choose this type of visa because it is quick and convenient to get. When your application for eVisa is approved, you'll be informed about the visa via email.
Some of the eligible countries include:
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- Bahamas
- India
- Philippines
- South Africa
- Suriname
- Vietnam
Here is the complete list of eligible countries. But just being a citizen of these countries is not enough to get your application approved. You need to also take care of specific conditions for the applications.
Special Conditions for Certain Countries
Some countries are eligible for the Turkey eVisa under some specific conditions. For example, citizens from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt must meet the conditions given below:
- They must have a valid residence permit or visa from the U.S., U.K., Ireland, or a Schengen Area country.
- They have to travel via an airline approved by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, such as Turkish Airlines or Pegasus Airlines.
Also, travelers from these countries must show that they have sufficient funds for their stay, at least USD 50 per day and also provide proof of where they are going to stay.
Types of Turkey eVisas
There are 2 types of eVisas offered by Turkey:
- Single-entry eVisa
- Multiple-entry eVisa
Single entry eVisa lets the traveler enter the country only once for a specific duration. The multiple-entry eVisa allows the traveler to enter and exit the country several times till the eVisa is valid.
The countries that are eligible for a multiple-entry visa are:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Canada
- United States
- United Arab Emirates
Activities Permitted with a Turkey eVisa
A Turkish eVisa is only valid for specific activities. These activities are:
- Tourism
- Business
- Cultural events
- Sporting activities
- Conferences, fairs, or exhibitions
This eVisa cannot be used if you want to work in Turkey. If you want to work in the country, you will have to apply for a job that allows employment.
Application Process for Turkey eVisa
Applying for a Turkey eVisa is simple and it basically finishes in just 3 main steps:
Step 1: Head to the Turkish eVisa website and fill out the online form. During this step, you'll have to fill in details like your passport details, personal information, and your travel itinerary.
Step 2: Pay the fees for the visa. The fees differ based on your nationality, and the payments are usually made safely online using a credit or debit card.
Step 3: Once your application is approved, you'll receive your eVisa via email. So make sure you share a working email address in the application. Use an email ID that you can access and get notifications whenever there's a new email.
Most of the time, eVisas are processed within 24 hours, but priority processing can speed up the process to just one hour.
Duration of Stay and Validity of Turkey eVisa
The validity of a Turkish eVisa is normally 180 days. You can only enter Turkey within these six months. If you're from the most eligible countries, the maximum stay allowed to you is 90 days within a 180-day period. However, some countries, such as Mexico and Indonesia, have a 30-day limit.
Passport Validity Requirements
For getting your eVisa approved, it is important that your passport stay valid for 60 days or more from the date you plan to leave Turkey. For example, if you're going to stay in Turkey for 90 days, the validity of your passport must be a minimum of 150 days from the date of entry. On the other hand, if you're only going to stay for 30 days, your passport has to be valid for at least 90 days.
Visa-Free Entry for Specific Countries
A few countries come under visa-free countries. This means if you're from these countries, you don't need a visa to enter Turkey.
A few of these visa-free countries are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands
If you are from one of these nations, you can enter Turkey without a visa and stay for up to 90 days, but in a 180-day period.
Some travelers can even enter Turkey with just an ID card, making their journey even more easy. This visa-free arrangement typically applies to EU citizens.
Employment Restrictions for Visa-Free and eVisa Holders
Although Turkey allows citizens from visa-free countries to travel in the country for a short period, for tourism or business, it does not allow them to work in the country without a work visa. If you are from this country and you want to work in Turkey, you will have to apply for a work permit through the Turkish embassy or consulate.
Turkey's Visa-on-Arrival and Sticker Visa Policy
Citizens from some countries can get visas for travel to Turkey upon arrival. But eVisa is gradually replacing this service. If you're from these countries that are not eligible for an eVisa must apply for a conventional sticker visa. These visas can only be applied for from a Turkish embassy or consulate and it needs to be done much before your travel date because the processing times for sticker visas can vary.
Required Documents for Traveling to Turkey
No matter what country you are traveling from, even from the visa-free countries, you must carry these documents to enter Turkey:
- A valid passport
- A completed entry form
These requirements may change with time, so it's best to stay updated with the latest requirements by visiting a visa website.
Turkey Visa Fees
The cost of a Turkey visa depends on three key factors:
- Visa type: Tourist, business, work, etc.
- Application method: eVisa or sticker visa.
- Nationality of the applicant.
eVisas are generally less expensive than visas obtained through an embassy or consulate.
How to Pay for the Turkey Visa?
You can pay for an eVisa online after filling out all the details. Usually, websites always accept credit/debit cards. But some websites may offer other payment methods too.
Applying for the eVisa for Turkey is a quick and straightforward process. You just need to be aware of all the requirements beforehand so your application is approved quickly. So check your eligibility and then apply for your eVisa for Turkey with confidence. And remember to always check for the latest updates on a visa website before making travel arrangements.
If you have more queries or confusion related to the Turkish eVisa, you can get your answers at the Turkey Visa Online helpdesk.
Check your eligibility for Turkey Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Taiwanese citizens, Jamaican citizens, Bangladeshi citizens and Indian citizens can apply online for Electronic Turkey Visa.