Turkey Visa Guide

Visa Information

Visa Requirements: Visa required.

Visa exemptions: Passengers of Turkish origin with a foreign passport and a national ID card issued by Turkey (Nufus Card).

Visa Issuance: E-visas can be obtained before departure at www.evisa.gov.tr. Passengers must have an electronic or a printed e-visa confirmation.

Additional Information: Visitors exceeding the allowed time of stay must obtain a permit of residence ("Ikamet Vesikasi") at immigrations and must present it upon departure.

Warning: Visitors who require a visa and do not hold return/onward tickets could be refused entry.

Passport Information

Passport Requirement: Passport required.

Document Validity: Normal passports issued to nationals of India must be valid for a minimum of 90 days from the arrival date.

Minors: Up to/inclusive 18 years of age may be included in parent's passport.

Warning:

1. Passengers holding travel documents not printed in the Latin alphabet will be refused entry.
2. Passports and all other travel documents in booklet form of all non-Turkish nationals must contain at least 1 unused visa page. Please note that this does not include the page reserved for "Observations" or "Amendments and Endorsements".
3. Passports and other travel documents accepted for entry are considered valid until the day before the expiration date.

One must unleash their zest for travel to truly experience a country. And one of the many places that will definitely lift your spirits is Turkey. The country is brimming with history, culture, nature, and pazazz. Turkey, also called Türkiye, has several places to see, some of which are well preserved under UNESCO.

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is one of the most spectacular and impressive attractions that draws tourists from across the world. The Ephesus at Ankara has the ability to teleport you to the Roman era. While the ancient sites are definite places to explore, the coastal city of Antalya is where most travellers go to rekindle with nature and enjoy a calm atmosphere.

Turkey is a one-of-a-kind country that lies in two continents: Europe and Asia. So, if you have the zest to travel here, here’s how you can get your visa and enter this breath-taking country.

Turkey visas can be applied online through their official website if you opt for an e-visa, or by visiting the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country. Obtaining an e-visa is a hassle-free process, provided you have all the required documents. But remember that the eVisa can be applied only by those who have a valid visa for countries like Schengen, UK, US and Ireland. If you do not have not been to any of these countries, the individual needs to apply for a traditional visa, i.e. sticker visa by physically visiting the embassy or consulate in your country.

However, the process for applying for a Turkey visa may differ based on your country. You may need to submit your application to a third-party visa processing centre. Make sure to check with your local travel agency or consulate.

To get the Turkish visa, you need to complete the process online:

• Go to the site and fill the application form to apply for an e-visa
• After applying, you will receive a confirmation link on your email to proceed further
• The link will then take you to the fee gateway where you will be required to pay for the e-visa
• Once you pay the fee, you will receive the confirmation on your email
• Download the e-visa from the same website and print it. Carry the print out to show it to the authorities at the Istanbul airport

Visit the official website from where you applied for your e-visa to track the status of your visa application for Turkey. Here’s the website to track Türkiye visa application status here - https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/status/

There are various types of Turkey visas depending on your purpose of travel. Their details are given below.

1. Tourist Visa
2. Business Visa
3. Student Visa
4. Work Visa

This visa is applicable for individuals travelling to Turkey for tourism purposes. Under this visa, visitors are allowed to stay for a specific period of time for purposes that are related to tourism, like vacation, sightseeing, visiting friends and family, etc.

A tourist visa can be obtained in two forms, based on your nationality:

• e-visa for tourism purposes
• Turkish Sticker Visa for tourists

Note: If you are eligible for an e-visa, you do not need to apply for a Turkish Sticker Visa.

Documents required

• Completed visa application form
• Valid passport with at least six months of validity
• At least two passport size photographs
• Bank statement
• Travel insurance is compulsory with a minimal coverage of €30,000
• Detailed travel itinerary
• Return flight tickets
• Proof of confirmed accommodation/relative’s address where you will be staying
• A letter of invitation if you are staying at your relative/friend’s place
• Police clearance certificate

Application processing duration

The Turkey tourist visa application may take approximately 15 working days. The days may vary based on the country you are applying from.

If you are planning to extend your business or engage in business-related activities in Turkey, you need to apply for a business visa. Through this visa, you can attend business meetings with partners or clients, attend conventions, fairs, etc.

Documents required

• Documents of your employment status
• A guarantee letter from your employer along with last 3 months’ salary slip
• Company’s certificate of establishment, trade license, and bank account statement of at least 3 months of transactions, if you are a business owner
• Completed visa application form
• Valid passport with at least six months of validity
• At least two passport size photographs
• Bank statements indicating if you have enough funds to support your stay in Turkey
• Return flight tickets
• Proof of confirmed accommodation

Application processing duration

The Turkey business visa application may take approximately 12 to 15 working days. The duration may vary based on the country you are applying from.

This visa permits students to enter, and temporarily stay, in Turkey for educational purposes. Student visa allows a foreigner to intern or attend a course in an educational institution. This is applicable for all international students, except those from the Northern Republic of Cyprus, studying in Turkish universities.

Documents required

• Completely filled Turkish student visa application form
• Valid passport with at least six months validity
• At least two passport size photographs
• Proof of confirmed flight tickets to Turkey
• A letter of acceptance from the university (the letter must indicate your duration of course)
• Proof of payment for university course and hostel fee
• Previous educational certificates, diplomas, and transcripts
• Bank statement or proof of funds
• Letter of scholarship (if applicable)
• Letter of sponsorship (if your guardian/parent/relative is sponsoring your stay and education)
• Proof of accommodation, if not university hostel

Application processing duration

The processing time for student visa depends on the country from where you are applying. Generally, the processing time can take about 15 days.

A work visa application for Turkey should be submitted by a foreign employee and the application process to get a work permit has to be completed by a Turkish employer. A work visa is appropriate for travellers whose primary reason for visiting Turkey is to work, such as academics, journalists, artists, sportspeople, and free zone workers.

Documents for work visa

• A completed work visa application form
• A valid passport with at least six months validity
• At least 2 passport size photographs
• Police clearance certificate
• Proof of job offer or contract
• Bank statement
• Proof of confirmed accommodation/relative’s address where you will be staying
• Medical certificate and health insurance

Application processing duration

The processing time for work visa depends on the country from where you are applying from. The processing time can take about 15 days. The entire process could extend for a month for the authorities to approve and send your application to the relevant consulate of Turkey.

• Your visa application without the uploaded passport-sized photograph will be rejected
• Visa fee is not refundable. The fee is subject to change without prior notice
• Your passport should be valid for at least six months prior to the date of departure
• For a long duration stay, your visa requires a minimum of three years of passport validity
• Validity of the visa is effective from the date of issue
• It is ideal to apply for your Sticker Visa application at least 60 days in advance