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Visa Information for Foreigners: A Comprehensive Guide

People applying for visas at a Turkish consulate

The Electronic Visa (e-Visa) Application System was launched on 17 April 2013 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. This system allows visitors traveling to Türkiye to easily obtain their e-Visas online (www.evisa.gov.tr), in approximately three minutes. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the necessary information about obtaining a visa for Türkiye, covering everything from application procedures to specific country requirements.

What is an e-Visa?

An e-Visa is an official document that allows entry into and travel within Türkiye. It is an alternative to visas issued at Turkish missions and at the ports of entry. Applicants obtain their visas electronically after entering required information and making payments by a credit or debit card. Upon successful application, e-Visas are e-mailed to the applicant.

How to Apply for an e-Visa

The e-Visa application process is straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Visit the e-Visa Website: Go to www.evisa.gov.tr.
  2. Fill in the Application Form: Provide necessary details including your identity, passport, and travel dates.
  3. Pay the Visa Fee: Use Visa, MasterCard, or other commonly used credit or debit cards.
  4. Receive Your e-Visa: After payment, the e-Visa is sent to your email.

Validity of e-Visa

The e-Visa is only valid when the purpose of travel is tourism or commerce. For other purposes, such as work and study, visas are given by Turkish Embassies or Consulates. Ensure that your travel document/passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in Türkiye.

Languages and Payment Options

Group Applications and Payments

Tour operators can apply for group e-Visas and make lump-sum payments for them. This is particularly useful for organized tours and large groups.

Obtaining e-Visas from Airlines

Arrangements are being made to allow foreign visitors to obtain e-Visas from authorized airline companies’ offices, including those companies’ offices in airports.

Visa Fees

Fees for e-Visas obtained via the e-Visa website (www.evisa.gov.tr) are lower than the fees for visas obtained upon arrival at Turkish airports. Information regarding visa fees can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here.

Visa Requirements for Specific Countries

Afghanistan

Albania

Algeria

Australia

Azerbaijan

Work Visa Information

To work in Türkiye, you must apply to the nearest Turkish mission to obtain a work permit and visa. Necessary documents include:

Other documents should be submitted to the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) by your employer within ten working days after your application. Applications are finalized by the MLSS within thirty days. Upon arrival in Türkiye, register at the local police department within one month to obtain the necessary residence permit.

Residence Permit

If you have a valid visa, you do not need a residence permit for stays up to 90 days. However, foreigners who will reside, work, or study in Türkiye must register at the nearest local police department upon arrival.

Special Permissions

Foreigners planning to shoot a documentary, conduct research, or undertake archaeological excavations must obtain special permission from Turkish authorities in advance.

Passport Validity

As of 1 January 2015, foreigners wishing to enter Türkiye should carry a travel document (passport) with an expiration date at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay” of their visa, e-Visa, visa exemption, or residence permit.

Examples:

Exemptions

Certain categories are exempt from the passport validity provision, including:

Detailed Visa Information for Selected Countries

Andorra

Angola

Antigua-Barbuda

Argentina

Armenia

Austria

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Benin

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Cape Verde

Central African Republic

Chad

Chile

China (People’s Republic of China)

Colombia

Comoros

Costa Rica

Côte d’Ivoire

Croatia

Cuba

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of Congo

Denmark

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

East Timor

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Estonia

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Fiji

Finland

France

Gabon

Gambia

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Grenada

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

Greek Cypriot Administration

Haiti

Honduras

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of PRC

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kiribati

Kosovo

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macao Special Administration of PRC

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mali

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mexico

Micronesia

Moldova

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Mozambique

Myanmar (Burma)

Namibia

Nauru

Nepal

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea)

North Macedonia

Northern Mariana Islands

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

Palau

Palestine

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Republic of Congo

Romania

Russian Federation

Rwanda

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

San Marino

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Serbia

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

Somalia

South Africa

Republic of Korea (South Korea)

South Sudan

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Suriname

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Tanzania

Thailand

Togo

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkmenistan

Tuvalu

Uganda

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States of America

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Vanuatu

Vatican (Holy See)

Venezuela

Vietnam

Western Samoa

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Additional Considerations

This comprehensive guide covers visa requirements for various countries, ensuring a smooth and well-informed travel experience to Türkiye. For further details and specific cases, visit the official e-Visa website (www.evisa.gov.tr) or the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Exemptions and Special Cases

Foreigners who will shoot a documentary, conduct research, or undertake an archaeological excavation must obtain special permission from Turkish authorities in advance. If you have a valid visa, you do not need a residence permit for up to 90 days. However, foreigners who shall reside, work, or study in Türkiye must register at the nearest local police department upon arrival.

Conclusion

The e-Visa system has made it significantly easier for foreigners to visit Türkiye for tourism and commerce. With multiple language options and the ability to apply and pay online, obtaining an e-Visa is convenient and quick. Always ensure that your passport is valid for the required duration, and be aware of specific requirements for your country. For any other purposes, such as work or study, you must apply for a visa through Turkish Embassies or Consulates.

For detailed information, visit the official e-Visa website and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

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