How to apply for a Turkish visa

How to apply for a Turkish visa

Turkey is a magical country with an abundance of historical sites, natural wonders, stunning architecture and delicious food. It is constantly listed as one of the top countries in the world to visit – with good reason. I’ve been to Istanbul, Ephesus and Kusadasi but there are many more places in Turkey that I still want to visit. If you haven’t been there yet, then now’s a good time to start planning your trip.

This post does not apply to South African passport-holders as the visa is free for them. See the Turkey visa requirements for South Africans here.

How to get your Turkey visa

Turkey previously operated on a visa-on-arrival system. This system was terminated at the end of October 2018. You now have to apply for a Turkish visa online prior to entering the country. You can obtain your Turkey visa from e-visums.co.uk . It’s quick and easy.

What is an e-Visa?

An e-Visa is an official document issued online by the Government of a country which authorises a foreign passport-holder to enter the country and travel within the country. It is a convenient alternative to a paper-based visa that is issued by the embassy. No stamp or other evidence is placed in your passport. When entering the country, you are required to show your e-Visa at the passport control immigration checkpoint for verification purposes. A Turkish e-Visa is valid for business and tourist trips to Turkey. You will receive your e-Visa by e-mail and are advised to print it out and keep it with you when travelling.

Do I have to pay for a Turkish e-Visa?

There are few countries in the world that don’t have to pay for the Turkish e-visa. South Africa is one of them. But if you hold a passport from the United Kingdom, Spain, France or many other European countries, you have to pay a fee for the e-Visa.

Conditions for a Turkish e-Visa

To be eligible for a Turkish e-visa, the following conditions apply.

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Turkey and two months after you leave Turkey.
• The passport must have at least one blank visa page
• You must apply no more than 90 days before the date you plan to enter Turkey
• The e-Visa will be valid for 180 days. During this time, you can fly to Turkey an unlimited number of times and stay there for a total of 90 days, although you may not stay for longer than 30 consecutive days.
  

  Hagia Sofia

How to apply for a Turkish e-Visa

A Turkey tourist visa application can be easy. You can apply for the visa yourself at the official Turkish government’s website. You will need a credit card in order to do it and each document type must be completed separately. Or you can do it via E-Visum (Rates do differ.)

Why apply via E-Visum ?

• The application form is quick and easy to complete and shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.
• E-Visum will check your application for the most common mistakes.
• You can pay by Debit or Credit card, PayPal or bank transfer. It is not necessary for you to have a credit card. If you apply for the visa yourself on the Turkish government’s website, you will need a credit card.
• For multiple travellers, you will need to do separate applications on the Turkish government’s website. With E-Visum, this is easier.
• E-Visum is available by telephone and e-mail 7 days a week to answer your questions.
• Your visa is usually delivered within 12 hours, even on weekends.
• If you require an emergency visa, this can be delivered within 15 minutes, for an additional fee.

Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to get a Turkish visa, here is some more information to help you plan your trip.

Best time to visit Turkey

The best time to visit Turkey is during their spring and autumn seasons, as the winters tend to be too cold and the summers too hot. Spring is from April to May and Autumn is from September to mid-November.

Best places to visit in Turkey

Istanbul

Istanbul is the only city in the world that is perched on two continents, Europe and Asia. It is home to the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and a myriad of other attractions.

Antalya

Antalya is a classically beautiful and elegantly modern city on the Mediterranean. It is known as the gateway to the Turkish Riviera but is definitely a destination in its own right too. It has a wonderful collection of beaches, historical sites including an old city, and other exciting attractions.

Celsius Library

Ephesus

Ephesus was an ancient port city that was considered to be the most important Greek city and most important Mediterranean trading center. Today, you can still see its well-preserved ruins.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a delightful region known for its distinctive fairy chimneys, which are actually unique rock formations.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is known for its mineral-rich thermal waters that flow down white travertine terraces.

With so much to see and do in Turkey, what are you waiting for?

Disclosure: 13

Sara Essop

Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.