Travel & ABOUT ISTANBUL

Entry to Türkiye

Obtaining a Visa

Before arriving in Türkiye, you should obtain your international visa if it is required for your country. There are different types of visas depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay in Türkiye. For details, please visit our Entry to Türkiye page (https://ico.ku.edu.tr/resources/entry-to-turkiye/). Depending on nationality and bi-national agreements, there is more than one entry option available. These are:     

• Consular visa

• E-visa

• Visa on arrival

• Passport

• National ID

Once you have a clear understanding of how you will enter Türkiye and what is most convenient for you, you will be able to make your choice. We recommend you start the visa process two months before your arrival to be on the safe side.

STEP 1: Visit //www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa. This is the official website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Find your country in the A-Z list for visa information.

STEP 2: Understand the visa/ passport terminology. Ordinary is equivalent to touristic; official refers to service or diplomatic. If a visa is necessary, you MUST look at rules associated with the ordinary (regular) passport unless you hold diplomatic passports.

STEP 3: Depending on the situations given below, we have written the corresponding action you must take. Please go to your country of citizenship in the list and follow these actions. Below you may see the rules with the corresponding actions. 

“Ordinary and official passport holders are exempted from visa for their travels up to 90 days.” 

Enter Türkiye with your valid passport. NO visa required.

“Ordinary, Special, and Service passport holders are required to have visa to enter Türkiye. These passport holders with a valid Schengen members or USA, UK, Ireland visa or residence permit may get their single entry e-Visas valid for one month e-Visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr, provided that they meet certain conditions.”

If you meet the mentioned requirements, you can simply enter with an e-visa. If you do not meet the given criteria for e-visa, visit www.konsolosluk.gov.tr/Visa/Index  and make a pre-visa application appointment. Then, go to the nearest consulate for an in-person visa interview to obtain your visa for Türkiye.

“Ordinary passport holders are required to have visa to enter Türkiye. They can obtain three-month multiple entry e-Visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.”

Visit www.evisa.gov.tr and obtain your touristic visa, pay online, print it, and travel to Türkiye. 

e-VISA
An e-Visa is a tourist visa that anyone can use to enter Türkiye and does not require an in-person visa application at a consulate. The e-Visa module also provides information about whether someone is exempt from a tourist visa and if they can enter Türkiye with a valid passport. Nationals of some countries can travel to Türkiye with a valid passport.

We recommend that you use the e-Visa module to check the visa requirements for Türkiye.

Important Notes

• Even though the visa website mentioned states, “Please note that 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”. 

• Those with Turkish citizenship or holding a Blue Card are not required to seek a visa or residence permit to Türkiye. Entry with a valid passport is recommended, yet valid Turkish ID’s are also accepted. 

For more information about the passport and visa rules, visit //www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa