Turkish Diplomatic Visa

Last updated: January 2025

The Turkish Diplomatic Visa is the type of visa issued to diplomats, government officials, and representatives of international organizations from other countries who come to Turkey for official business. It is required that they perform their respective work tasks and attend any official events, meetings, or functions inside the country of Turkey. This guide stands as an extensive one toward the Turkish Visa, presenting the process of application, eligibility criteria, and major requirements.

Overview of the Turkish Diplomatic Visa

A Diplomatic Visa is a category of visa issued to diplomats and officials of foreign governments who are sent on a visit for official purposes to Turkey. It therefore falls within the broad category of official visas, including diplomatic, service, and special passports. A diplomatic visa entitles the holder to enter into and stay in Turkey without any ordinary tourist or business visa requirement, provided the visit shall be for official government or diplomatic business. The purpose of a diplomatic visa is to allow diplomats, foreign government officials, and representatives of international organizations to carry out official activities in Turkey. 

Eligibility Criteria of Turkish Diplomatic Visa

The eligibility criteria for obtaining a Turkish Diplomatic Visa are as follows:

Who Requires a Turkish Diplomatic Visa?

The Turkish Diplomatic Visa is designated for those with diplomatic or official status. Common people who are often included in the list of those requiring this visa include:

• Foreign diplomats or embassy employees who are supposed to serve within Turkey.
• Government officials scheduled to go to Turkey for regular meetings, conferences, or negotiations.
• Representatives of international organizations such as the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or the European Union who go on official missions.
• Heads of state or high-ranking officials of other countries on a visit to Turkey for diplomatic purposes.
• Personnel and staff serving at foreign embassies or consulates in Turkey.
• Foreign nationals holding diplomatic or service passports are exempt from obtaining an ordinary visa to enter Turkey for official purposes but must apply for a diplomatic visa if their stay is related to official duties.

Types of Official Visas in Turkey

In addition to a Diplomatic Visa, Turkey offers other types of Official Visas for other categories of representatives of Governments and International Organizations:

• Diplomatic Visa

Issued to high-ranking diplomats and officials possessing a diplomatic passport.

• Service Visa

Applicants in possession of a service passport or those who are government officials and are traveling to perform official functions.

• Special Visa

Applicants holding special passports are attached to foreign diplomatic missions but who do not qualify to be issued a diplomatic visa.

Each of them thus has a different category of holders of official passports for which it is intended, and application requirements and privileges differ in accordance with that. 

How to Apply for a Turkish Diplomatic Visa

The application procedure of the Turkish Diplomatic Visa is handled by the diplomatic mission of the foreign government in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The following steps describe the general process:

Step 1: Initiate the Process at the Embassy or Consulate

Begin by contacting the embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country. In some cases, the diplomatic mission where the applicant is employed will initiate the process of application for a visa on behalf of the applicant.

Step 2: Prepare and Gather Required Documents

Key documents to be prepared by an applicant include; a valid diplomatic passport with at least six months of validity,a visa application form duly completed, an official letter of assignment or invitation from the government or international organization, recent passport-sized photos, a diplomatic identification card, and a Note Verbale from the applicant's home country, confirming his or her diplomatic or official status.

Step 3: Application Submission and Approval

The application, complete with all documents, should be sent to the embassy or consulate, which in turn will send it to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval and the issuance of a diplomatic visa within 5-15 working days. After the approval stage, the diplomatic visa will be issued, affixed to the applicant's diplomatic passport, thereby allowing entry into Turkey for official duties.

Documents Required for a Turkish Diplomatic Visa

Precise documents are required for the application to a Turkish Diplomatic Visa, which should be presented via official diplomatic channels. Generally, it would involve the following:

In some cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may also demand additional documentation concerning the purpose of the visit.

Validity and Duration of a Turkish Diplomatic Visa

The Turkish Diplomatic Visa is usually issued depending on the term of the official assignment of the diplomat, normally for one year, and renewable or extendable according to further requests. Most of these visas provide entry opportunities multiple times, so that diplomats are able to enter or exit Turkey as necessary for their work. In addition, diplomats and members of their families are usually treated as special residents and given residency permits to live in Turkey for the period of service.

Privileges of Diplomatic Visa Holders

Holders of the Turkish Diplomatic Visa have various privileges under the international law and in the diplomatic laws of Turkey:

• Immunity from the jurisdiction: Diplomats and some of the consular staff are immune from the local jurisdiction, meaning they cannot be prosecuted or sued as per the Turkish law on acts performed within the capacity of their duties.
• Tax Exemptions: The holders of the diplomatic visa may be exempted from paying the customs duty and taxes regarding certain goods.
• Family Members Residence Permits: Spouses and children of diplomats may have residency permits during the assignment period of the diplomat in Turkey.

Such privileges, as a matter of fact, come under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and national laws of Turkey concerning foreign diplomats.

Key Points for the Applicants of Diplomatic Visa

– Begin Early: The diplomatic mission has to begin the process much earlier than the official beginning to avoid delays.

– Ensure the Documents are Right: All the documents, especially the Note Verbale and the letter of assignment, should be in good format and duly signed by the appropriate authorities.

– Expiry Dates: The passport should not be older than ten years and must have a validity date for at least six months beyond the period for which the foreigner is applying to stay in Turkey.

– Contact Your Embassy: Most of the foreign missions in Turkey have their assigned personnel that may advise or assist in facilitating the process in getting visas and residence permits for diplomats and family members.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 January 2025; thus, some visa rules might change.