Foreign nationals can visit Turkey whenever they want. Foreigners don’t need a visa to go to Turkey for a short stay (from 60 to 90 days). If they aren’t on holiday and need to stay longer, perhaps to buy property in Turkey, they’ll have to apply for a visa.
Note. This article will outline the standard process to enter the country. We recommend reading this information as well as embassies and consulates' official resources.
Content:
- Conditions for visa-free travel in 2022
- How to get a visa for Turkey
- Types of visas
- How to get a tourist visa for Turkey?
- Where to apply for a visa in Turkey
- What documents do foreigners need for a Turkish visa?
- We’ll help you buy real estate in Turkey
Conditions for visa-free travel in 2022
To enter the country on vacation for 60-90 days in 2022, foreign citizens will need a passport, a vaccination certificate, a disease certificate, or a negative COVID-test.
COVID-19 tests
Tourists take PCR tests to visit the Republic of Turkey 72 hours before arrival in the country. An antigen test must be taken 48 hours before.
Vaccination certificate
A coronavirus vaccination certificate must be obtained at least 14 days before arriving in the country.
Condition: You have to get vaccinated with one of the vaccinations approved by the WHO and the Turkish government.
6-month disease certificate
Condition: You must get a positive result at least 28 days before departing.
What else to consider?
Firstly, before your flight, check out the airline’s conditions as these can be different or additional (some ask for a new PCR-test).
Secondly, children under 12 years old don’t need to be vaccinated or take the tests.
Thirdly, for transit flights, foreigners don’t have to initially collect the certificates to stay in Turkey (if the destination country does not require it).
Fourth, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you arrive in the country. A blank sheet for a visa stamp is mandatory and border guards strictly control this.
How to get a visa for Turkey
Foreign citizens need a visa to visit Turkey in the following cases:
- Finding a job in the country.
- Staying in Turkey for over 90 days.
- Opening a business.
- Business purposes (negotiations, solving organizational issues with business partners, etc.).
There are different visas one can get depending on what you are traveling for.
Types of visas
A Turkish visa allows foreigners to legally stay in the country, solve their affairs, stay with relatives, work, etc. Depending on the purpose of the visit and its duration, you can get the following types of visas:
- Tourist.
- Work:
- Driver;
- Business.
- Transit.
How to get a tourist visa for Turkey?
This visa is for people who plan to stay in the country longer than the visa-free period. People who are interested in buying an apartment in Turkey should apply for this type of visa.
Tourist (or multi-visa) visas allow multiple entries. You can enter the country many times if you stay in the country for no more than 90 days for 6 months.
Work visa
Some foreigners want to live and work in the Republic of Turkey. To get a work visa, you need to:
- Find a job;
- Have an employment contract;
- Pass a medical examination.
The validity period of the document may be different but it’s usually 1 year with an extension or residence permit registration.
Other permit categories are for:
- Opening and running a business;
- Drivers – this type of visa is issued to drivers transporting goods from Turkey to other countries and back.
How to get a transit visa to Turkey
This type of visa is for foreigners flying through Turkey to another country. You can stay in the Republic of Turkey for up to 3 days.
Where to apply for a visa in Turkey
Foreign citizens can get visas at the consulate. To submit the documents, foreigners must fill out a special questionnaire. They can then get a form from the consulate.
What is the procedure to get a visa?
- Fill out an application and collect documents.
- Pay the first part of the consular fee.
- Apply.
- Get approval.
- Submit passports (for the Russian Federation and foreign countries).
- Pay the second installment and get your visa.
What documents do foreigners need for a Turkish visa?
The visa applicant must fill out an application form and send the necessary documents with it. These are:
- Passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of medical examination (for a long trip);
- Confirmation of hotel booking or real estate rental agreement;
- Return tickets (for tourists);
- Confirmation of financial solvency (bank statements for citizens applying for a work visa);
- Invitation from a business partner (for a business visa).
Turkish visa terms
Permission for tourists is issued for 3-7 days. In the busy season, registration may take 2 or more weeks.
Visa prices
The visa price varies from $50 to $150 depending on the type of visa and $15 for document services.
People who visit the country visa-free don’t need to pay for anything.
We’ll help you buy real estate in Turkey
Turk.Estate has apartments for sale in a new building in Turkey and other real estate from leading developers and reliable owners. The website has information for licensed agencies with a reliable database. If you need detailed advice on buying Turkish housing, contact our company's manager for help.