Last updated: September 2024
Turkey transforms your travel into Europe and Asia with a mix of rich history, sensational landscapes, and an extremely lively culture. Today, traveling to Turkey has been made much easier; its e-Visa system allows visitors eligible to apply for their visa online instead of at the consulate or embassy. Herein below is what you need to know about the e-Visa for Turkey, the application process, eligibility criteria, and much more.
The Turkey e-Visa is an electronic authorization to enter Turkey, for either tourism or business purposes, to be granted for brief periods. The e-Visa system was launched in 2013, to make it easier and faster for those qualified to obtain a visa online. The e-Visa has replaced the previous visa stickers/stamps obtained at border crossings or consulates.
The Turkey e-Visa applies to over 100 countries' citizens. However, qualifications to get an e-visa, including duration of stay and entry type (single-entry, double-entry, etc.), depend on one's nationality. Here's a general overview:
Countries eligible for an e-Visa: Citizens from a range of countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, and British Nationals (Overseas) from the United Kingdom, can apply for an e-Visa. Other eligible countries include China, Cyprus, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, East Timor, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Suriname, and Taiwan can apply for a Turkish e-Visa. |
The following countries and territories' citizens can obtain a single-entry e-Visa, which will be valid for as long as 30 days based on certain conditions:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Bangladesh
Cape Verde
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
India
Iraq
Libya
Pakistan
Palestine
Philippines
Senegal
Sri Lanka
Vietnam
Yemen
The process of applying for Turkey e-Visa is fast and easy, taking only a few minutes. Here is the step-by-step procedure to follow when applying:
Log on to the official website of the Turkey e-Visa. Select your nationality and the type of travel document you own, such as a passport, to verify your eligibility.
Please fill in your personal information below, including:
– Full name
– Passport information: number, issue date, and expiration date
– Travel dates
– Contact information
After filling out the form, check all the information for accuracy, as any errors might delay your visa.
After the form is completed, there is an option to pay for the fee of a visa online by credit, debit card or mastercard. The fees depend on your nationality. Make sure that you print a confirmation of payment at this stage.
Once the payment is made, the e-Visa is generally approved in minutes and is sent to you via email. In rare cases, this may take up to 24 hours. Print out a copy of your e-Visa and bring it with you while traveling to Turkey. While the visa is connected electronically to your passport, border control may still ask for a hard copy of the visa.
For the successful application of the Turkey e-Visa, there are certain requirements to be fulfilled by the travelers. The general Turkey E-Visa requirements are as follows:
Requirement |
Details |
Valid Passport |
The passport must have a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into Turkey. |
Payment for E-Visa |
The visa fee must be paid electronically using a valid credit or debit card. |
Return/Onward Ticket |
Applicants may be required to show proof of a return or onward ticket. |
Proof of Accommodation |
While not required during the application process, applicants may be asked to present proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel booking) upon arrival. |
Sufficient Funds |
Travelers may need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds for their stay in Turkey. |
Additional Requirements for Certain Nationalities |
Some nationalities must have a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, Ireland, or a Schengen country to be eligible for an e-Visa. |
In general terms, the Turkey e-Visa validity is for multiple entries within a 180-day period. However, the period of stay and duration of validity do depend on the nationality of the applicant. In the case of most of the eligible nationalities:
The cost of Turkish e-Visavaries based on nationality and the type of e-Visa that you are applying for. There are different fees for different countries, which may change at periodic intervals. One should be aware that any exact amount which the nationals of your country are supposed to pay should be checked from the official portal of the e-Visa before applying.
Once the fee related to a visa has been paid, this is non-refundable whatever the result may be at the end. That means in case of any ground of rejection, either on the eligibility criteria or providing incorrect information, the fee will not be returned.
Note: You will need to make the payment online at the time of your application, after which an email confirmation with receipt will be sent to you.
While the E-Visa is available for many nationalities, others are visa-exempt, meaning citizens of such countries are not required to apply for a visa to enter Turkey for short stays of up to 90 days. The countries include:
The Turkey e-Visa system comes with several benefits for travelers:
Aspect |
Details |
Convenience |
The entire application process is completed online, so there’s no need to visit a Turkish embassy or consulate. |
Time |
Most applications are approved instantly or within 24 hours, making it ideal for last-minute travel plans. |
Multiple Entries |
Many e-Visas allow multiple entries, which is useful for travelers who plan to visit Turkey more than once within a 180-day period. |
Linked to Your Passport |
The e-Visa is electronically linked to your passport, reducing the need for extra paperwork when entering Turkey. |
Here are important tips that a traveler should keep when planning to apply for a Turkey e-Visa:
An e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization for qualified foreign nationals to enter Turkey for purposes of tourism, business, or transit. It's a convenient and efficient way to take an online Turkish visa.
Over 100 countries are listed in the e-visa program for Turkey. The list of countries will be given on the official website of the government or a few online visa checkers.
The time taken to process a Turkish e-Visa usually takes a few days. However, applicants are always advised to apply way in advance from their intended date of travel in case there might be some delays in approval.
The validity of a Turkish e-Visa would depend on the type of visa applied for. It varies from mere days to several months. Please check the specific validity period with respect to your visa type.
In some instances, this could be possible only with an extension of your Turkish e-Visa. However, the rules to extend a visa can also vary. Your best bet is always to check with the relevant authorities or any travel agent about the updated information.
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 e-Visa portal before lodging an application. Please note that this page was last updated in September 2024; thus, some visa rules or fees might change.