Turkey – Types of Visas

General Information About Turkish Visas

It is highly recommended that foreigners who wish to visit Türkiye should read the related information about our country’s visa regime.

Visa regime for Touristic and Business Purposed visit of a country may differ from Work and Education Purposed visit. Also, Türkiye’s visa regime may change according to reciprocity principle.

While some applicants may be exempt from a visa for their touristic or business visit to Türkiye, others can obtain an e-Visa. All other applicants will need to obtain a visa through Turkish Representations abroad.

An information note about the visa regime of Türkiye is available at www.mfa.gov.tr.

Visa types granted by Türkiye are:

1. TOURIST/BUSINESSPERSON

• a) Touristic Visit
• b) Single Transit
• c) Double Transit
• d) Business Meeting/Commerce
• e) Conference/Seminar/Meeting
• f) Festival/Fair/Exhibition
• g) Sportive Activity
• h) Cultural Artistic Activity
• i) Official Visit
• j) Visit to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

2. OFFICIAL VISA

• a) Assigned for duty
• b) Courier

3. STUDENT – EDUCATION VISA

• a) Internship Visa
• b) Internship ERASMUS
• c) Internship AISEC
• d) Turkish Language Course Purpose
• e) Course Purpose
• f) Education Purpose
• g) Education in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

4. WORKING VISA

• a) Employment Purpose/Special Employment Purpose
• b) Assigned Lecturers/Academics
• c) Assigned Sportsperson
• d) Assigned Artists
• e) Assigned Free Zone Workers
• f) Assigned Journalists
• g) Montage and Repairman Purposes

5. OTHER VISAS

• a) Archaeological Excavation, Exploration Purpose
• b) Documentary Purpose
• c) Tour Operator Representative
• d) Medical Treatment Purpose
• e) Accompaniment Purpose
• f) Family Unification Purpose
• g) Freight Visa
• h) Seafarer Visa

PASSPORT VALIDITY

In accordance with the article 7.1b of “the Law on Foreigners and International Protection” no.6458, foreigners wishing to enter Türkiye should carry a travel document (passport) with an expiration date at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay” of their visa, e-Visa, visa exemption, or residence permit.

Example A: In order to enter Türkiye having a visa with a 90-day “duration of stay”, foreigners should hold a travel document valid for at least an additional 60 days, which totals to 150 days (90 days + 60 days) of validity at the time of entrance.

Example B: In order to enter Türkiye having a visa with a 30-day “duration of stay”, foreigners should hold a travel document valid for at least an additional 60 days, which totals to 90 days (30 days + 60 days) of validity at the time of entrance.

“In accordance with international agreements and special legal provisions, the following categories are exempted from this provision:

a) Citizens of countries who are allowed to enter Türkiye with their national ID’s in accordance with “European Agreement on Regulations governing the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe”;

1- Germany 2- Belgium 3- France 4- Georgia 5- The Netherlands 6- Spain 7- Switzerland 8- İtaly 9- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus 10- Liechtenstein 11- Luxembourg 12- Malta 13- Portugal 14- Greece

b) Citizens of countries holding passports which are expired but considered as valid for a certain period

1. Germany – Passports expired within the last year / ID’s expired within the last year
2. Belgium – Passports expired within the last 5 years.
3. France – Passports expired within the last 5 years.
4. Spain – Passports expired within the last 5 years.
5. Switzerland – Passports expired within the last 5 years.
6. Luxemburg – Passports expired within the last 5 years.
7. Portugal – Passports expired within the last 5 years.
8. Bulgaria – Valid ordinary passport

c) Holders of diplomatic, special and official passports

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Visitors who are not exempt from an entry visa must obtain their visas or schedule an appointment with the Turkish Consular offices via the Pre-Application System for Turkish Sticker Visa (www.visa.gov.tr). The applicants who meet the requirements will be directed by the Pre-Application System for Turkish Sticker Visa to the e-Visa system (www.evisa.gov.tr). In those countries where Türkiye does not have a consular representation, online scheduling for appointments with the nearest accredited consular office of Türkiye can also be used.
• In order to avoid inconveniences that may be caused by delays in processing, it is recommended to apply for visas at least one month in advance before the planned travel.
• The visas submitted to foreigners do not guarantee absolute rights of entry to Türkiye.
• Visa fees are not refundable in cases where applications are rejected.
• All applicants are required to have medical insurance that will be valid during their stay in Türkiye.
• The length of stay provided by a visa or visa exemption cannot exceed 90 days within each 180 days. The regulation of 90 days of stay within the last 180 days is binding for all foreigners who will travel to Türkiye.
• It is not possible for foreigners holding two passports to stay in Türkiye for 90 days each with their two different passports within the last 180 days.
• In all types of visa applications, Turkish consular offices may issue visas with a maximum duration of stay of 90 days. Foreigners who wish to stay longer than 90 days in Türkiye should apply for a “Short Term Residence Permit” at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration in order to extend their residence.
• The residence permit of the foreigners will be canceled if they stay outside Türkiye for longer than 120 days in total during the last year.
• For United Nations (UN) Travel Document (Laissez-Passer) holders who have blue UN travel documents, visa exemption with a 90-day length of stay within the preceding 180 days may apply during their official visit to Türkiye if they can certify their official assignment. Red UN Travel Document holders shall be exempt from an entry visa and may stay in Türkiye for 90 days within the preceding 180 days regardless of their purpose of visit. General visa provisions shall apply for Blue UN travel document holders subject to regulations specified according to their country of origin.
• Visa applications for travels except for touristic or trade purposes (work or study, etc.) will need to obtain a visa through Turkish Representations abroad.
• Regardless of the visa regime applied to the citizens of a country, the travel document holders of that country need to obtain a visa from Turkish missions beforehand.
• Any applicant under the age of 18 must submit official written approvals from both parents. For those applicants who certify that their parents are officially divorced and prove the parent holding their custody as well as for those with one parent deceased, visas may be issued in accordance with their purpose of visit.
• The authorization of processing the residence permit applications submitted by the following persons who enter Türkiye availing visa-free regime and without the requirement of obtaining Student Visas lays with Local Immigration Offices (Provincial Directorates of Migration): Foreigners who arrive in Türkiye upon invitations by universities under Turkish Higher Education Board to study at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, Ph.D. levels pursuant to international student exchange programs, cultural programs as well as under EU Education and Youth Programs.
• For foreigners wishing to enter Türkiye via naval ports with touristic purposes, visa-free entry permits may be issued by the local governorates. These permits shall have a maximum 72 hours duration of stay and will be only valid for sightseeing purposes in the vicinity of naval ports where they entered the country. This practice, as it intends to facilitate entry for those visitors subject to a visa, does not entitle visitors to a visa. Passports of these visitors are not retained by the border authorities; however, visitors are given “Harbor City Entry Permit” which is required to be returned to the authorities upon their exits.
• Any piece of data submitted here may be processed and stored in a database accessible to the relevant Turkish authorities in accordance with their respective mandates.

Tourist Visa

• If an invitation letter is submitted for a Touristic Visa application, it must include the inviting person’s TR Identity Number, clear identity, the list of invitees, permanent address, contact number, length and purpose of stay, and the affinity with the applicant must be stated in the letter. If the inviting side is an organization or a company, a tax registration certificate of the organization will be required. In the invitation letter, it is also required for the inviting person/authority to pledge to cover victuals and accommodation expenses and to take their own responsibility. The applicant is required to have sufficient and/or regular remunerations.

Working Visa:

• Foreigners lay their applications for a work permit through our consular offices in the country of their residence or nationality.
• To work in Türkiye, you must apply to the nearest Turkish mission to obtain a work permit and visa. Your passport, visa application form, and a letter from your employer are the necessary documents for your application. Other documents should be submitted to the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) by your employer within ten working days after your application.
• Work Permit Applications are concluded positively or negatively by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Work Permits have equivalence to residence permits. Thus, should a working permit is approved by the Ministry, the foreigner is charged an Entry Visa Fee, Work Permit Certificate Fee, and Residence Fee by the Turkish consular offices. Since Work Permit Card substitutes a residence permit in Türkiye, “Work Annotated Visa” issued by these offices can only be used for entrance and for 90 days at maximum.
• You may find the list of those documents on the MLSS’s website (http://www.csgb.gov.tr). Applications are finalized by the MLSS within thirty days at the latest. Right after your arrival in Türkiye (before starting to work), you should be registered at the local police department within one month to obtain the necessary residence permit.
• Work permit is granted to foreigners who will work in Free Zones in our country by the Ministry of Economy, to those to work in units under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism by the mentioned Ministry, and to foreign national personnel to work in universities by the Higher Education Board.

Internship Visa / Work Permit Exemption:

• Applicants need to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security pursuant to the Law numbered 4817 for private internship applications outside the provisions set forth in the Article 55 “Work Permit Exemption” title of Law Enforcement Regulation about Working Permits of Foreigners.
• Article 55 of the Law Enforcement Regulation on Working Permits of Foreigners no. 4817 regulating working permit exemptions states the extent and the lengths of time the foreigners are exempt from a working permit. Those who meet the requirements below do not need to obtain a work permit.
  • Without prejudice to the provisions set out in specific laws and on condition that the foreigner and the employer fulfill their obligations resulting from other laws: a) The persons exempted from work visa under the bilateral or multilateral agreements to which Türkiye is a signatory party. b) The foreigners holding permanent residences abroad and wishing to visit Türkiye temporarily with purposes of scientific studies, cultural and artistic activities for a period shorter than a month and with the aim of sporting activities for a period less than four months. c) For the purpose of installation, maintenance, and repair of machinery and equipment imported to Türkiye, providing training for their utilization or transporting defective equipment from Türkiye, and provided that they do not exceed the total stay of three months within a year as of the date of entry into Türkiye and verify this condition with the documents that they will submit, the ones coming to Türkiye. ç) For the purpose of training in the use of goods and services exported from or imported to Türkiye and provided that they do not exceed three months totally within a year as of the date of entry into Türkiye and verify this condition thanks to the documents that they will submit, the ones in Türkiye. d) Being an entertainer, performer, etc. in charge at fairs and circuses which are going to carry out activities outside the borders of certificated tourism establishments and provided that they do not exceed six months as of the date of entry into Türkiye and verify this condition with the documents that they will submit, the ones in Türkiye. e) On condition that it does not exceed two years and it will be limited to the period of study, the foreigners coming to state institutions and organizations together with the universities so as to enhance their information and good manners by verifying their state via the documents that they will submit. f) Persons who notified the Turkish authorities of the fact that they will provide important services and contributions socio-cultural and technological fields and educational fields within a period not exceeding six months. g) Persons visiting Türkiye under the programs of the Center for European Union Education and Youth Programs (National Agency). ğ) The foreigners to go on training under the framework of international trainee programs sanctioned by the Higher Education Board, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. h) The foreigners who are the representatives of tour operators coming to Türkiye on condition that the term of the contract does not exceed eight months. ı) During the contracts of other athletes, trainers, football players whose requests are approved by the Turkish Football Federation or General Directorate of Youth and Sports. i) By the bilateral protocols signed under Rule no. I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, the foreign seafarers serving on vessels that have received a “Conformity Approval Certificate”

• Visa Application and Visa Fees

  As shown in the Tariff No. (6) in the annex of the General Communique on the Fees Law (Serial No: 91) published in the Official Gazette dated 30 December 2022 and numbered 32059 (2nd repeated), the fee amounts for entry visas and transit visas to be applied as of 1.1.2023 are indicated in the tables below.

  	Entry Visas	Fee Amounts for 2023
  1.	Single Entry	2.304,20 TL
  2.	Multiple Entry	7.718,70 TL

  	Transit Visas	Fee Amounts for 2023
  1.	Single Transit	2.304,20 TL
  2.	Double Transit	4.623,30 TL

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to determine the citizen of which countries should be charged visa application fee, the citizen of which countries should be charged visa fee and determine the fee amounts, by taking the reciprocity principle into account.