Once you’ve decided that you want to visit Turkey, the next step is deciding how to get there and where to stay once you arrive. If you have plans to stay in the country for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a Turkish Visa Online before you arrive at the border and start your visit. This page provides detailed information on what documents are required, how much they cost, and how to apply online and at your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate before your trip.
Who needs a visa
Any non-Turkish citizen planning on visiting Turkey for 90 days or less. If you’re staying longer than 90 days, you will need an extended visa from your Turkish embassy. If you plan on immigrating to Turkey, visit your nearest Turkish embassy before applying for a residence permit in Turkey. Note that Turks themselves are required to apply at their local governor’s office. See here for more information about how foreigners can immigrate to Turkey. Turkish Visa Online Eligibility
Supporting documents
To apply online, you’ll need: A passport or other valid travel document with at least six months of remaining validity. It must have been issued within the past 10 years. You may not be able to use your current passport. Turkey requires more recent passports than many other countries do. Make sure you can legally use your existing passport by checking with your government before you apply. If it doesn’t meet Turkish requirements, you’ll need to get a new one. Your application will be rejected if you don’t provide all required information and documents. If that happens, you’ll have to reapply using another form of payment (such as an international credit card). An electronic copy of your photo page from your passport (required only if applying by mail). Original color copies are acceptable; black-and-white copies are not.
When can I apply?
You can apply at any time of year for a Turkish visa. However, it’s important to keep in mind that processing times vary depending on your nationality and passport type. Some nationals will have their visas processed within one week, while others can expect delays as long as two months. If you plan on visiting Turkey during peak tourist season (April through September), though, be prepared for longer waiting periods—the same goes if you’re planning on traveling via ferry from nearby countries like Greece or Italy. In these cases, processing times may run up to four weeks due to larger volumes of traffic through Turkish ports of entry during these months.
The online application process
To apply online, you’ll need to pay in advance. Each visa costs US$10 plus an additional US$6 service fee per person. You will also need a credit card with which you can pay for your Turkish visa online. If you already have an account with VFS Global, then it is easy to register; if not, just click on New User? Register Now! (top left) and follow the instructions. After registering, log in using your new username and password that you set up during registration process.
Next steps once you have applied online
Provided you meet all of these Turkish Visa Online Requirements, once you have successfully applied online there are two further steps that need to be completed before your visa can be issued. Firstly, you will need to provide your biometric data. This means providing a scan of both index fingers on one hand, as well as both thumbs on one hand (one side only). There are various ways in which you can do this at home but it must be done using an official scanner. The fee is US$8 per person (and one application can cover multiple people). The second step is collecting your e-visa when it is ready.
