Turkey is a land of epic adventures and ancient cities. White sand beaches of the Mediterranean, the ruins of Kusadasi, the waterfalls of Manavgat, and much more, make Turkey a captivating destination.
Despite the geopolitical tensions in the region in recent years and the failed coup attempt of 2016, the charm of the country is such that almost 40 million tourists traveled to Turkey in 2018, an increase of 21% from 2017, according to an article on France 24.
In this article…
What is a Turkey Visit Visa?
If you wish to travel to this historic nation, you will need to apply for a Turkey visit visa, unless you are a national of one of the 78 visa-exempt countries or 42 countries whose citizens can apply for an e-visa. You can click here to find out whether you belong to one such nation.
💡 Tip: Buy travel health insurance before your trip.
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Most plans only cost less than $20 a day.
How to get a visa for Turkey
For everyone else, a Turkey visa is essentially a stamp on the passport, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that allows you to enter and travel within the country. To get a visa, you first need to choose the specific visa category best suited to the purpose of your travel to the country.
Turkey Visa Categories
There are various types of visas that you will need to choose from, depending upon the purpose of your visit:
- Tourist Visa
A tourist or business visa is issued to those who wish to travel to Turkey for the purposes tourism, business meetings or conferences, or a cultural meet. Tourist visas are generally single-entry visas and issued for a period of up to 90 days.
- Student Visa
If you wish to enroll in a university or college in Turkey or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, you should apply under this category. A student visa allows you to study, as well as enter and leave as many times you may like, within a specific duration.
- Residence Visa
For those who want to stay in Turkey for a longer duration, this is the visa category suited to them. You are not allowed to work on a residence visa, which means that you need to prove that you can financially support yourself through your entire stay in the country.
A work visa is granted to those who wish to travel to Turkey for employment purposes.
- Research Visa
If you wish to travel to Turkey to conduct an archeological excavation or for research, you need to apply under this category.
💡 Tip: Buy travel health insurance before your trip.
Check out popular travel insurance plans and choose one that suits you.
Most plans only cost less than $20 a day.
How to Apply for a Turkey Visit Visa
The first step in applying for a Turkey visa is to download the visa application form. This form should be filled out carefully and photographs need to be attached. The photographs must be according to the specifications set by the Turkish authorities. The next step is to gather all your supporting documents.
Next, you will need to submit the completed form, along with the supporting documents, to your nearest Turkish visa application center. You would also be required to pay the visa fee here. The processing of your visa can take up to 3 working days, after which you can collect it or have it couriered to you.
Remember to accurately fill out the application form and check that no mandatory documents are missing. This will prevent any delay in visa processing and increase your chances of being approved for a visit visa.
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