Last updated: September 2024
Turkey is one of the most interesting countries to travel to for UAE citizens, as it combines stunning history, good natural conditions, and a rich contemporary culture. For UAE passport holders, visa policies are quite easy in most cases, whether the purpose of their visit is tourism, business, or just transit. Below, one can find a detailed guide on the main Turkey visa requirements and the application process that one needs to go through when planning to visit Turkey as a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.
Do UAE passport holders require a visa to access Turkey?
United Arab Emirates nationals do not need a visa to enter the country for a limited time. A citizen traveling with a UAE passport is entitled to enter Visa-free in Turkey for tourism and business visits, as well as for transit purposes, for a period of 90 days within any 180-day period.
Here are the key points about the visa free option:
- Visa-Free: Up to 90 days' exemption of visa for UAE Nationals.
- Passport Validity: Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry into Turkey.
However, for stays longer than 90 days or for purposes such as studying or working, the relevant visa needs to be issued from the consulate or embassy.
Long-Term Visits to Turkey from UAE
Following are the visa types available for UAE nationals who plan to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism or business, such as education or employment:
- Student Visa: This visa is entitled to all students who have obtained an educational placement in any educational institution in Turkey.
- Work Visa: This is required when one has found employment in Turkey with a Turkish employer.
- Residence Permit: This applies to individuals that have the desire to stay in Turkey for a long period, such as retirement, family unification, or long-term stays.
Documents Required for a Long-Term Visa Application
The required documents vary upon the type of visa being applied for, but the general common documents usually include:
- Application Form for a Visa: Filled and signed by the applicant
- Passport: Valid for at least six months from the date of expiration.
- Photographs: Two recently taken passport-sized photos.
- Flight Reservations: Confirmed round-way or onward tickets.
- Proof of Finance: Bank statement or an explanation showing that one has sufficient means of subsistence for the period of stay in Turkey;
- Travel Insurance: travel insurance valid for the duration of stay in Turkey
- Additional Supporting Documents: depending on the purpose of stay, supporting documents with respect to the purpose may be requested, such as an acceptance letter of a Turkish University, an employment contract in Turkey, etc.
Application Process for a Long-Term Visa from UAE
The applicant must prepare all the required documents:.
Book an appointment with the nearest embassy or consulate.
Submit your Turkey visa application form along with all necessary supporting documents.
Application fee settlement.
After submitting your application, you will be expected to wait for the processing time of the visa, usually from 7 to 15 business days. In fact, this may be longer or shorter, depending on a number of variables, including the type of visa, workload conditions at the time of your application, the consulate or visa application center, and the time of year-you can pretty much count on longer waits during peak travel seasons. It is recommended that you apply well in advance of your planned travel date, in case of unexpected delays. In some cases, you may have expedited processing for an additional fee; however, it cuts several weeks off the wait.
Turkey Visa on Arrival for UAE Citizens
Since the citizens of UAE already have the privilege of a visa-free entry for a limited period of time, the Visa on Arrival cannot be extended to them. This visa-free entry entitles them to entry into the country for both tourist and business purposes without filing any application at the airport or prior to arrival.
Key Considerations for UAE Nationals Traveling to Turkey
Even though UAE nationals are free to enter Turkey without a visa, there are a few things that need attention:
|
Condition |
Description |
|
90-Day Stay Limitation |
You cannot stay more than 90 days out of a 180-day period or face penalties, fines, or future entry bans. |
|
Passport |
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Turkey. |
|
Travel Insurance |
Although not always mandatory for short-term stays, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance covering medical emergencies. |
|
Residence Permits |
If staying beyond 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit before the expiration of your 90-day period. |
Special Circumstances: Student and Work Visas
The applicants who desire to move to Turkey for studying or working purposes are required to apply for a special kind of visa. The overview of such types of visas is as under:
- Student Visa
A Turkish Student Visa for UAE nationals is a permit allowing UAE citizens to study in Turkey. Here is a simplified brief about the visa:
|
Eligibility: This is for those who are going to enroll in a university or any other institution in Turkey. Application Process: In this case, the student will apply for the visa once he/she gets the acceptance letter from any university in Turkey. Required documents: Proof of enrollment, a passport with validity, proof of financial support, and health insurance |
- Work Visa
A Turkish Work Visa for UAE nationals is a permit allowing UAE citizens to work in Turkey.
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Eligibility: A person whose employment is already assigned in the country of Turkey. Application Process: Under this type, an employer in Turkey applies on behalf of the employee to the consulate for a work permit. Documents Required: The contract of employment, passport, insurance for travel, and document proving accommodation. |
Application processes of both student and work visas take longer compared to the usual short-term tourist visas and may demand further formalities such as supply of biometric data or going for an interview at the embassy.
Seeking a Turkish online visa while residing in the United Arab Emirates
If you are staying in the UAE, then the application process for a Turkey e-Visa is pretty easy. Here's how you can apply:
- Check Eligibility: The UAE citizens are not required to stay with a visa in Turkey for a short period of time. However, if you happen to be a resident of UAE but not a citizen of UAE, you need a visa for entry into the country.
- Access the Official e-Visa Website: For an online application, access the official e-Visa website.
- Application Form: Fill in your personal information including passport details, nationality, and intended period of stay.
- Select the purpose of your visit: The eVIsa is for tourism or business purposes only.
- Pay the Visa Fee: After filling out the application form, pay the required visa fee by using a valid credit card or debit card.
On making the successful payment, the e-visa for Turkey will be issued to the applicant via the email address mentioned on the application. Note that you have to take a printout of this e-Visa and carry it along with you during your tour to Turkey.
Key Points of Turkey eVisa for UAE residents include:
- Validity: The validity of a Turkey electronic visa is 180 days from the date of issue in which period you can stay for up to a time period of 90 days.
- Documents: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended arrival in Turkey.
- Multiple Entries: It generally permits multiple entries into the country during its validity period.
Entry Requirements and Customs Procedures
While visa requirements for UAE citizens are relaxed, you still need to follow the Turkish entry and customs procedures. The following can be requested upon arrival by the immigration authorities:
- Valid Passport: As mentioned earlier, your passport is required to be valid for a minimum period of six months.
- Return Ticket: Immigration authorities might ask for proof of onward travel or your return ticket.
- Accommodation Details: Sometimes the immigration officers will ask about your hotel reservation or other proof of your stay.
Make sure these documents are handy when you arrive at the airport in Turkey.
Citizens of the UAE are allowed to enter visa-free for purposes of a short-term stay in Turkey, for a period not exceeding 90 days. When it comes to longer stays or special purposes, such as work or study, the appropriate visa shall be obtained prior to travel. Make sure you fulfill all the passport validity and duration-of-stay requirements and consider taking travel insurance to make your trip to Turkey hassle-free. Be it for leisure, business, or education, Turkey is an experience filled with offers for UAE travelers!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they don't require a visa for short-term visits up to 90 days within a period of 180 days for touristic, business purposes, or transit. For stays beyond 90 days, a visa is required.
UAE passport holders can stay in Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. For stays exceeding this limit, a residence permit or an appropriate long-term visa is required.
UAE citizens need a valid passport (with at least six months of validity from the date of entry) and may be asked to provide details such as return tickets and accommodation bookings.
For short-term visits, an eVisa is not required for UAE nationals. However, UAE residents who are not UAE nationals may apply for an eVisa depending on their nationality.
For stays longer than 90 days, UAE nationals must apply for a residence permit or obtain a visa (such as a student or work visa) before the visa-free period expires.
While travel insurance is not mandatory for short-term visa-free stays, it is highly recommended to cover potential medical emergencies during the trip.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance and subject to change. For current information, refer to the official websites or the official Turkish e-Visa portal before lodging an application. Please note that this page was last updated in September 2024; thus, some visa rules might change.