Foreigners and travelers whose countries have an e-visa agreement with Turkey can easily apply and get the visa online.
A lot of applicants have been denied a travel visa for their touristic or business visit to Turkey. This is because a lot of foreigners & expats have not been able to distinguish the different types of Visa available in Turkey. While some have been denied a travel visa, others have been able to successfully obtain an e-Visa.
Before you can travel to Turkey for a visit or stay, you need to understand the different visa types available to foreigners. The first thing you need to know about the Turkish visa is that you can obtain one through Turkish representations, consulates, and embassies in your country. If you donโt want the e-Visa, you can apply through the Turkish foreign mission or a consulate in your country if you want your Turkish travel visa.
Turkish visa application conditions
- All applicants must have medical insurance that will be valid throughout their stay in Turkey.
- Visa fees are not refundable even when your applications are rejected
- Secondly, foreigners who wish to acquire a Turkish visa should possess an international passport that is valid for at least 60 days after the expiry of the visa.
- All foreigners who are visiting Turkey via an invitation letter must adhere to the requirements stated in the letter.
- All visa applications must be made in person, except in cases stated in the law.
There are so many conditions that come with applying for a Turkish visa. As a foreigner who wants to visit Turkey, we strongly advise you to read extensively on the Turkish visa regime and policies. Visa regime for tourist and business in Turkey are sometimes different from work and education purposed visit.
So, be sure to know the purpose of your stay and apply it correctly when filling your visa application form. You should also know that the Turkish visa regime and policies may change according to the reciprocity principle.
Types of Visas in Turkey
TOURIST/BUSINESSPERSON VISA
Tourist visas are essentially visas issued to travelers who are not eligible for visas at points of entry. Tourist visas are issued for up to 90 days but are valid for only a single entry.
Business visas are also like a tourist visa. They are valid for 90 days but are issued to travelers/foreigners visiting Turkey for a short or temporary business stay like meetings, conferences or lectures.
The tourist visa is perhaps the easiest visa type in Turkey. All tourists can easily apply online on the e-visa application page. The e-visa is for tourists only. It is different from working or student visas and invalid if presented on arrival.
After application, your e-visa will be sent to your e-mail address if your application is approved. Then you can print or save the document and present it at the airport & border control.
There are two types of tourist visas in Turkey, the single-entry visa (Tek Giris) and the multiple-entry visa (Muteaddit Giris). You should apply for a tourist visa if the purpose of your visit meets any of the following reasons.
- Touristic Visit
- Business Meeting/Commerce
- Single Transit
- Double Transit
- Official Visit
- Conference/Seminar/Meeting
- Festival/Fair/Exhibition
- Sportive Activity
- Cultural Artistic Activity
- Visit The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
OFFICIAL/RESIDENT VISA
This is probably the most expensive Turkey visa type. This type of visa is usually for travelers/foreigners who want to live in Turkey. This type of visa also takes a lot of time to process and approve. You should apply for this type of visa if you are staying in turkey for assigned duty or courier services.
STUDENT/ EDUCATION VISA
Students visa is another common visa in Turkey. Students may only apply for this visa after theyโve enrolled in a Turkish school, college, language class or university recognized by the Turkish Ministry of Education.
This visa type allows the applicant to leave and enter the Federal Republic of Turkey as long as they are valid. You should apply for a Turkish student visa if the reason for your visit meets any of the following requirements.
- Education Purpose
- Course Purpose
- Internship Visa
- Turkish Language Course Purpose
- Internship ERASMUS
- Education in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Internship AISEC
BUSINESS/WORKING VISA
This is the type of visa that all foreigners who are visiting Turkey for business purposes only. This may include documentary, filming, recruitment, and others. Individuals who fall into the following categories should apply for this type of visa.
- Assigned Free Zone Workers
- Employment Purpose or Special Employment Purpose
- Assigned Lecturers/Academics
- Assigned Journalists
- Assigned Sportsperson
- Assigned Artists
- Montage and Repairman Purposes
OTHER VISAS
This is another common type of visa in Turkey. Also called a special visa, it is usually issued to cover broad and unspecific activities All individuals who fall under the following categories should apply for this type of visa.
- Medical Treatment Purposes
- Archaeological Excavation, Exploration Purpose
- Family Unification Purpose
- Accompaniment Purpose
- Documentary Purpose
- Tour Operator Representative
- Freight Vฤฑsa
- Seafarer Visa
Documents Needed For Turkish Visa Application
To apply for a visa in Turkey, you will need to submit the required documents to a Turkish embassy or consulate your home country. These are some of the documents that they require.
- Passport (validity is a period of 90 days more than the requested visa)
- Visa processing fee
- Application form
- A document stating your financial capability
- Two passport photographs
- Letter of invitation or employment
- Health insurance Proof
- Proof of a return ticket
You should also know that citizens of certain countries will be automatically granted a multiple-entry visa on payment. You should check if your country qualifies before you apply. We wish you a successful journey. Also read about Turkish citizenship for investing program.