What is it like to live in Turkey? The Turkish government makes getting a visa relatively easy for both Kuwaiti and Maldivian citizens, but you’ll still need to meet some requirements to be eligible. This guide will walk you through the process of applying for and obtaining your Turkey visa, which will make it easier to get approved and hit the ground running when you arrive.
What documents do I need to apply?
This depends on each case, but usually, the Turkish mission needs the following documents: (1) Application form for a tourist visa. (2) Valid Passport. (3) Recent Passport photo. (4) Flight reservation printout OR confirmed hotel booking voucher OR invitation letter from Turkey citizen to visit Turkey OR any other document showing applicant’s intention to travel. (5) Two passport-size photos of the Applicant.(6) Proof of financial ability to pay for the trip such as a copy of a bank statement. TURKEY VISA FOR KUWAITI CITIZENS
Application process
Citizens of Maldives and Kuwait should have no problems applying for a visa. The process is simple, fast, and inexpensive compared to other countries. Citizens of both countries will need to fill out an application form (available from Turkey’s embassy in Kuwait and its embassy in Male), obtain three passport-sized photos, schedule an appointment at Turkey’s embassy (appointments can be scheduled online), gather their documents (originals plus copies), and bring their passports to their appointment. The cost is $20 per person (included in your paperwork) for Turkish citizens; no fee if you’re not yet a citizen but already holding residency. Applications take about two weeks to process; applicants are notified by email when they can pick up their passports.
How long does it take?
The processing time for Turkey tourist visas are 15-30 days, depending on where you apply. The process can be shorter if you’re applying at an embassy with premium service and will take much longer (up to 45 days) if you apply through consulates. If you need to expedite your visa, look into getting it from a consulate rather than an embassy; they typically have more leeway when it comes to speeding up your application. If you’re already in Turkey and want to extend your stay past 30 days, be aware that both citizens of Kuwait and Maldives must visit their nearest Turkish Consulate General (or Embassy) in order to get their visas extended; simply exiting Turkey won’t suffice. TURKEY VISA FOR MALDIVIAN CITIZENS
Costs involved
The cost of applying for a Turkey visa is different, depending on which passport you hold. For citizens of Kuwait, an ordinary visa costs 65 Turkish Lira (approximately $35 USD), while it costs 110 TL ($58 USD) for citizens of Maldives. Additionally, there are fees for picking up your visa and paying with credit cards—for both types of visas, these additional fees total 10 TL ($5 USD). There are also some optional services that can be paid for at the time of application; however, none are required to apply. These include translations into English or Arabic (15 TL/$7 USD), assistance with getting your documents certified by Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (20 TL/$10 USD), and having your photograph taken at your local consulate office in person rather than through a digital scan (15TL/$7USD). It’s possible to save money by using cheaper methods like emailing scanned copies rather than using courier services.
Tips and tricks
You can get to Turkey with just an e-visit, but some nationals still need to obtain a visa in person. Citizens of Kuwait and Maldives must apply for their visas in person, in Turkey. Applying for a Turkey visa as a Kuwaiti or Maldivian citizen is relatively easy. When applying at your Turkish embassy, you will need to bring several documents, including two copies of your passport photo page; two passport photos; proof that you have booked accommodations; a letter from your employer stating how long you’ll be staying and whether they are covering any expenses (this letter needs to be notarized); proof that you have health insurance coverage while in Turkey (if required by your employer); a return airline ticket (or itinerary if traveling by land) and other documents needed for entry into Turkey.
