Essential Guide to Turkey’s Entry Requirements
With its wealth of historic sites and diverse, stunning landscapes, Turkey is a perennially popular destination for travelers. Passport-holders from more than 100 countries can easily enjoy all that it has to offer.
What You Need to Know About Tourist Visas in Turkey
Visitors from Europe (excluding Cyprus), Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and much of South and Central America can enter Turkey without a visa for stays ranging between 30 and 90 days, depending on their country of citizenship.
Tourists from over 100 additional countries, including Australia, Canada, and the USA, are eligible to apply for an e-visa. This requires simply filling out an online application form and paying a fee, which generally ranges between $20 and $60, varying by country of origin.
Travelers wishing to secure an e-visa can do so through a dedicated website run by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), which includes a comprehensive FAQ section. Conversely, visas on arrival are available to citizens of around 30 countries. However, completing the visa application online before traveling tends to be the quicker and more efficient method.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website provides detailed information on visa requirements for all individual countries. It is essential for all travelers’ passports to remain valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of the visa for which they are eligible.
Tourist Visas for Cruise Ship Passengers
Cruise ship passengers who arrive by sea can come ashore for up to 72 hours (three days) without needing to apply for a visa.
Visa Extensions and Other Types of Visas
Visa extensions are not available to nationals of any country. Individuals wishing to stay in Turkey longer than the duration permitted by their tourist visa (90 days within a 180-day period for US citizens, Europeans, and some others) must initiate the process of applying for a residence permit before their visa expires. Overstaying a tourist visa can result in fines and may lead to a temporary ban on returning to Turkey.
Moreover, anyone planning to work, study, or live in Turkey must apply for the appropriate visa at a Turkish embassy or consulate abroad before entering the country.
