Transit visa for 15 hours in Istanbul

Hey Lance,

I ran into a similar situation when helping a friend transit through Turkey, so here’s what I learned. Unlike the e-Visa for tourists, Turkey doesn’t offer an online option for a transit visa. If you need one, you’ll have to go through the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your country, or check directly with your airline, since they sometimes handle or advise on short-stay transit approvals.

Basically, there’s no simple online application for just a few hours — the embassy or your airline will guide you on what’s required, what documents to submit, and how to pay the fee.

It’s a bit more effort than an e-Visa, but once you contact the embassy or airline, the steps are straightforward. Safe travels!