Different Categories of Turkish Visas

Last updated: 28 February 2025

Embarking on a new experience in Turkey requires careful planning, starting with understanding the complexities of Turkish visas. This comprehensive guide explores the various visa options available, their eligibility criteria, and how to choose the right one for your specific needs. From tourism to long-term residency, obtaining the correct visa is crucial for a seamless transition to your new home in Turkey.

Turkish E-Visa

An e-Visa is an electronic visa for tourism or business purposes for eligible country citizens. The e-Visa is a way to get a visa easily and quickly without going to the embassy or consulate. It can be valid for as much as 90 days and can be applied online.

Requirements of the Turkey eVisa application include:

Valid passport

Online visa application form

Visa fee - paid online

Proof of onward travel - return ticket

The major plus side of this e-Visa system is its simplicity and efficiency. This is an entirely online application, and visa approval is mostly issued within hours. Thus, this travel document is quite popular due to the fact that it involves quite smooth procedures for the travelers who intend to visit Turkey for a short duration. The ease and speed of the process involved in the e-Visa make it quite ideal for tourists, family visitors, and business people who would wish to visit Turkey without having to go through voluminous paperwork.

Turkish Tourist and Business Visa

The Turkish tourist visa is given to those who desire to visit for tourism, family visits, or brief business-related trips. It allows a stay in the country for up to 90 days during a 180-day period, ample time for travel, exploration, or short-term professional engagement

Tourist Visa

The Tourist Visa is the most common visa type for those who visit for leisure, tourism, or in order to visit family or relatives for short-term periods. It allows foreign nationals a stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. According to the applicant's nationality, it is usually issued as a single or multiple-entry visa.

Requirements of the Turkey tourist visa include: A valid passport with at least six months of validity starting from the intended date of entry, A visa application form duly filled, Proof of accommodation, hotel reservation, or invitation letter by family/friends Return flight ticket Proof of financial means to support your stay Visa fee

Business Visa

The Business Visa is for those who travel to Turkey for purposes such as attending a meeting, conference, or for trade. This visa allows a stay for 90 days within a period of 180 days, similar to the tourist visa.

Requirements for application Turkey Business visa include: –Invitation letter by a Turkish company or business organization –Passport with at least six months of validity –Visa application form –Business travel itinerary –Proof of accommodation and return flight –Visa fee

Turkish Student Visa

This visa is required for foreign nationals to study in Turkey. It will generally be issued for a student to enter into Turkey who has been admitted to a Turkish university or other educational institution. Students will need to apply for this type of visa through an embassy or consulate from their home country before arriving in Turkey.

Requirements of a Turkey student visa for international students include:

Letter of acceptance from a Turkish educational institution
Valid passport
Visa application form
Passport-size photographs
Proof of financial support for the duration of the study
Health insurance
Visa fee

They should register with the local authorities immediately after their arrival in Turkey and obtain a residence permit, allowing them to stay in the country for a period covering their study.

Turkish Work Visa

Those who come to Turkey for employment will be considered for a Work Visa. Working Visas are issued along with the work permit, to be applied by the employer in Turkey on behalf of the employee. The work visa allows the holder to stay in Turkey for the duration of his/her employment contract.

The essential requirements include:

Employment contract from a Turkish employer
Work permit by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security
Valid passport
Visa application form
Passport-size photographs
Visa fee

Once in Turkey, the applicant is then required to apply for a residence permit to enable them to legally stay in the country while working.

Turkish Transit Visa

A Transit Visa applies to an individual who is passing through Turkey on a way to another country. It allows the individual brief stops inside Turkey for, usually not more than 72 hours, and is meant for layovers or connecting flight purposes. The requirements of Turkish transit visa include:

– Valid passport

– Proof of onward travel: this should be in the form of a flight ticket to the next destination; Visa for the next destination, if required; Visa application form; Visa fee;

Turkish Official Visa

The Official Visa is for diplomats or officials who are traveling to Turkey on an official mission. This visa is granted to foreign government officials and international organizations and can be issued in cases of short-term stays or long-term assignments. Requirements of application of Turkey official visa include:

Official letter or diplomatic note by the relevant authorities;
Valid passport;
Visa Application Form
Passport-sized Photos
Visa fee- if applicable

Turkish Research Visa

Those researchers or academics that are going to conduct research in Turkey should apply for the Research Visa. They must obtain permission to conduct research from any Turkish institution or University.

Some of the documents that would form a basis of application for a Turkish visa include a duly elaborated research proposal or a letter of acceptance from a recognized institution in Turkey, a valid passport, and a duly completed application form. One must submit an application form completely filled out with documented assurance of sufficient financial support during the period to be spent within Turkey. Also, it needs health insurance coverage for the period of the visit, and the application procedure for the visa is finished with the payment of the applicable fee.

Turkish Residence Visa

A Residence Visa is granted to foreign citizens who will actually stay for a long period in Turkey, such as retirees or those people intending to stay on a long-term basis for family reasons. Normally, an application for this is done before having a residence permit.

Basic requirements needed for application of a residence visa include:

Valid passport
Visa application form
Proof of financial support
Proof of accommodation in Turkey
Health insurance
Visa fee

Conclusion

Depending on the purpose and duration of stay, there are different types of visas to enter Turkey. Whether for tourism, study, or work, one must apply for the right kind of visa and ensure that all the requirements for the applied visa are complete. Always check with the consulate or embassy in your home country for the most up-to-date visa regulations before traveling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on the purpose of the visit, there are different types of visas available for visiting Turkey, including a tourist visa, business visa, student visa, work visa, research visa, family residence permit, long-term residence permit, and investor visa. These various visa types cater to specific needs, ranging from short-term tourism to education, employment, family reunification, or even long-term residency.

Most EU citizens, including Italians, can enter Turkey without a visa for 90 days out of 180 days for short-term tourism or business. For stays longer than this, a visa or residence permit is required based on the motivation for work, study, or investment.

The validity of a Turkish student visa is usually for the duration of the proposed education. This visa allows international students to study legally in Turkey and is extendable based on their study period. Typically, the residence permit is issued alongside the visa, covering the study duration.

A work visa in Turkey is generally valid for one year, corresponding to the employment contract and being sponsored by a Turkish employer. Upon arrival, the individual must also obtain a work permit to legally work and stay in Turkey.

Yes, foreign nationals who have resided in Turkey uninterruptedly for at least eight years with valid residence permits can apply for a long-term residence permit. This status grants indefinite residency but requires proof of steady income, continuous residency, and a clean record.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance and subject to change. For current information, refer to the official websites or the official Turkish e-Visa portal before lodging an application. Please note that this page was last updated in January 2025; thus, some visa rules might change.