Visa for Exploring Turkey as a Tourist| Turkey e-visa

Last updated: January 2025

Turkey is among the most visited countries in the world, with its rich cultural history, scenic landscapes, and pulsating cities drawing millions of tourists each year. Whether you're off to explore the busy streets of Istanbul, soak up some sun on the Mediterranean coast, or embark on a journey into the ruins of ancient civilizations, there's probably one thing you will need for your trip. Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding the Turkish Tourist Visa, including how to apply, requirements, and important tips for travelers.

Understanding the Turkish Tourist Visa?

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A Turkish Visa can be defined as a category of short-term visa that permits foreign nationals to enter into Turkey for tourism, leisure, family visits, or even short business trips. It is usually issued for 90 days within an 180-day period and is intended for visitors who wish to enter Turkey on a temporary and non-work-related basis.

The visa can either be single entry or multiple entry:

Aspect	Single-Entry Visa	Multiple-Entry Visa
Number of Entries	Allows only one entry into Turkey.	Multiple entries are allowed within the period of validity of the visa.
Purpose	Best for one-time visits: tourism or short stay.	Suitable for people who must leave and re-enter Turkey on numerous occasions
Cost	Generally cheaper.	The cost is relatively higher due to added flexibility.
Validity	Valid for only one entry for a period of stay, normally 30 or 90 days.	Valid for multiple entries, often within 90 days of a 180-day period or longer.
Convenience	Must reapply if leaving and returning.	No need to re-apply; allows repeated entries during the validity period.

Who Requires a Turkish Tourist Visa?

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Not every visitor in Turkey requires a visa to visit the country. Visa-free travel agreements with some countries allow citizens from those places to enter the country, but most visitors will have to apply for a tourist visa before entering the country. The type of visa and processes for this will differ depending on nationality.

Visa-exempt countries: most of the EU members, Japan, South Korea, among others, do not require a visa to enter Turkey for up to 90 days. Below is an exhaustive list of Turkey visa free countries:

Citizens of Northern Cyprus have unlimited stay in Turkey, while European Union citizens can stay for 90 days within any 180-day period except for Cyprus. The following can also stay for up to 90 days within 180 days: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, and Venezuela. This stay for nationals of the Russian Federation is up to 60 days in any 90-day period. Brunei-Darussalam, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Macao-Special-Administrative-Region, Mongolia and Thailand have a stay of 30 days in any 90-day period while Belarus has 30 days in any 90-day period in a one-year period.

E-Visa eligible countries: Many countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia can apply online for an electronic visa, that is mostly called 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. These nationalities benefit from the convenience of the e-Visa system, which simplifies the process of visiting Turkey for tourism or business.

Consular visa countries: Some countries have to go to an embassy or consulate to get a visa if they are not among the eligible countries or the visa free countries.

Meaning of the Turkish E-Visa?

Turkish e-Visa is an electronic visa that can easily be obtained through the Internet for tourism or business purposes. The e-Visa system was introduced to simplify the application process, and it's available to citizens of over 100 countries. Most applicants receive their visa in minutes after applying.

How to Apply: Personal details and travel information are usually filled out on the online Turkish E-Visa application form.
Cost: The cost of the visa varies, depending on your nationality.
Processing Time: Generally, it is an instant approval but takes from 24 hours up to 3 days for some nationalities.
Validity: Commonly, it has a validity of 180 days with multiple entries, and each stay should not exceed 90 days.

How to Apply for a Turkish Tourist Visa

The procedure for applying for a Turkish tourist visa varies depending on your nationality. Here is the step-by-step explanation for how to apply for an e-visa:

For E-Visa Applicants

The steps involved in application of Turkish e-visa include:

Checking Eligibility: The applicant should check eligibility on the official website of the Turkish e-Visa.
Online Form: the applicant has to fill in the required information which includes but is not limited to details about your passport, purpose of visit, and travel dates.
Visa Fee Payment: You may pay the fees online through a credit or debit card.
Get the Visa: Once approved, your e-Visa will be emailed to you. You will want to print a copy to present upon arrival to Turkey.
Entry Requirements: Your passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended entry date.

Applicants for Embassy/Consulate Visa

To apply for a Turkish visa through an embassy or consulate, you should;

Make an Appointment: Call an embassy or consulate near you and schedule an appointment.
Prepare Required Documents: You typically need:

A visa application form
Valid passport with at least six months validity Passport-size pictures
Proof of accommodation in Turkey, such as a hotel reservation
A return flight or onward travel arrangement
Financial ability to make the stay possible

Attend an Interview: Some candidates may need to attend an interview or support more documentation.
Visa Processing: Your application will be processed by the embassy, which can take different lengths but usually takes a few days to several weeks in general.

Documents Required for a Turkish Tourist Visa

No matter what method of application - an e-Visa or consular visa, the following documents must be provided by an applicant:

Valid Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay.
Application Form: Fully completed and signed.
Passport-sized Photos: Two recent photographs.
Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservations or invitation letters if one is staying with friends or family.
Travel Itinerary: Flight tickets or booking confirmation.
Proof of Adequate Funds: Bank statements indicating you have adequate financial resources for your stay.
Travel Insurance (Optional but highly recommended): In case there are any medical or travel disruptions.

Visa Exceptions - Countries That Do Not Require a Visa

Citizens of various countries may enter Turkey for short-term stays without needing to get a visa. Some of the countries are cited below.

European Union Member States
Japan
Singapore
South Korea
Ukraine

Normally, such countries' citizens are allowed to stay in Turkey for 90 days without visas. However, the visa requirements can be changed, and hence, immigration authorities must be consulted before embarking on a trip.

Turkish Tourist Visa Fees

The fee for a Turkish tourist visa is based upon your nationality and type of visa to which one is applying.

E-Visa Fees: The Turkish e-visa fee usually varies depending on several factors such as nationality and the type of e-visa that you are applying for.

Fees for the Consular Visa: The fees for consular visas are higher and will depend on the country in which one applies.

Note: Please note that visa fees can change; therefore, before application, check the most recent fee.

Important Tips for Applicants of the Turkish Tourist Visa

Here are some important tips that you should keep in mind when applying for a Turkish tourist visa:

Category	Details
Apply Early	Although an e-Visa is usually processed quickly, it is highly recommended to apply at least a week before your trip to avoid any last-minute issues.
Multiple Entry	If you plan to visit neighboring countries and re-enter Turkey, you should apply for a multiple-entry visa.
Stay Extension	Tourist visas are generally non-extendable. Overstaying may result in fines or even a future ban from entering Turkey.
Health Insurance	Travel health insurance is highly recommended, although it is not mandatory for tourists entering Turkey on a tourist visa.
Money and Spending	Ensure you have enough Turkish Lira for daily expenses, so you can fully enjoy Turkey’s cultural attractions without financial stress.

Have a Good Trip in Turkey

The Turkish Tourist Visa invites you to a plethora of heritage, culture, and nature. Be it strolling through the streets of Istanbul, visiting the ancient city of Ephesus, or just catching the sun in Antalya-the right visa ensures ease and enjoyment throughout. By understanding how applications work, you can take the required steps in order to obtain your Turkish Tourist Visa as quickly as possible and begin making arrangements for your adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Turkish Tourist Visa is a permit granted to non-citizens to enter into Turkey for purposes of tourism, vacation, or visiting friends and families. The visa, depending on nationality, may be granted either as an e-Visa or traditional visa.

Citizens of many countries may obtain an e-Visa via an online application, while others need to apply to the embassies and consulates. The list of countries entitled is subject to constant change; therefore, you will have to refer to the official government website for a current list.

The application for a Turkish Tourist e-Visa can be made online through the official e-Visa website, filling out the application form, and making the required payment. Indeed, it is very fast, since most applicants actually get their visas in minutes.

A tourist visa is valid to a maximum period of 90 days out of any 180-day period, yet such period may change based on the applicant's nationality and type of the visa - single or multiple-entry.

Tourist visas are not normally extendable. Overstaying your visa carries some sanctions: fines, deportation, or a ban on re-entry in Turkey.

It depends on the nationality of the applicant and whether the visa applied for is a single or multiple-entry one. Usually, prices are published on the e-Visa website or can be obtained from the consulate where the traditional visa is applied for.

For most nationalities, it takes only minutes for an e-Visa request to be processed, but it is highly recommended to apply at least one week prior to your trip in case there are delays that may arise.

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 or fees might change.

Visa for Exploring Turkey as a Tourist