Last updated: 28 February 2025
Depending on the nationality and purpose of travel, a valid visa is required for tourism, business, study, or work in Turkey. The passport should generally meet the entry and visa application requirements for Turkey since it constitutes one of the most important elements in the process of the visa application. The reason it is very relevant to understand the passport requirements for a visa to Turkey is because failure to meet any of these criteria may result in delay or refusal of applications.
General Passport Requirement for Turkey Visa
Applicants must make sure that their passport is in compliance with the general requirements summarized below before commencing a visa application for Turkey, whether it be an e-Visa, sticker visa, or visa on arrival:
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Requirement |
Details |
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Validity |
The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Turkey. |
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Blank Pages |
The passport must have at least one or two blank pages for the visa stamp, especially for visas issued upon arrival or in the form of a sticker visa. |
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Unexpired Passport |
The passport must be valid and not expired both at the time of application and during entry into Turkey. |
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Passport Condition |
The passport should not be damaged and in good condition, the documents that have missing pages, extensive tear and wear, and alteration will not be accepted. |
Passport Requirement for the Turkey E-Visa
The Turkey e-visa is an electronic visa, which is issued online to any qualified nationals that enable them to enter into Turkey for purposes of tourism or business for a limited time. Following is the passport requirement for an e-visa:
- Passport Validity: Your passport needs to be valid at least six months beyond your intended entry date to Turkey. That is very important to note; the applicant of the e-Visa has a duty to make sure that his/her passport remains valid for the whole trip.
- Application for E-Visa: The information inserted in the Turkey E-Visa application form regarding your passport should coincide completely and accurately with what was written on your passport: name, passport number, birth date, etc. Even minor discrepancies may serve as a denial of the visa application.
- Electronic Link: The e-Visa is electronically linked to the passport used during the application. If your passport expires or is replaced before your trip, you will have to apply for a new e-Visa, using your new passport.
If you are eligible for an e-Visa, you can apply online on Turkey's official e-Visa website.
Passport Requirements for Turkey Sticker Visa - Consular Visa
For those travelers who require a sticker visa for Turkey, obtained through a consulate or embassy, the passport requirements will be similar but supported with extra documentation to that effect.
- Validity: Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay in Turkey. In some cases, depending on the length of stay and type of visa, this may require the consulate to demand longer passport validity.
- Blank Pages: At least two blank pages should be available for a visa sticker and entry/exit stamps.
- Passport: An actual passport has to be provided by the applicant during the submission of his/her application to the consulate for a visa. The applicant must ensure that the passport is in good condition because if a passport is damaged or tampered with, then the visa may be denied.
Note that if you are applying for a long-term visa, such as a student, work, or residence one, it should be valid for the whole period of your intended stay.
Passport Requirements for Visa on Arrival
A Turkey Visa on Arrival is still available at certain airports in Turkey for travelers coming from a few eligible countries. Here is how the requirements for a passport to get a Visa on Arrival go.
- Valid Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Turkey, just like other visas.
- Blank Pages: Your passport needs to have enough blank pages for the visa stamp and entry/exit stamps.
- Fees: You are required to pay the Visa on Arrival fee in cash and will be tagged with your passport details.
The Visa on Arrival is considered less and less by many, given the wider number of valid applicants and the convenience of the e-Visa system, and most travelers are asked to apply online before traveling.
Special Considerations for Different Nationalities
Though these are general passport requirements, several nationalities have different or additional conditions to satisfy before entry into the country:
- EU and Visa-Exempt Countries
Citizens from EU countries, as well as those from countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, do not require visas upon arrival in Turkey. Their passports, however, need to be valid for at least 6 months longer than their stay.
Some countries may allow entry with national ID cards, such as Germany and France, but it is always the safest option to travel on a valid passport.
- Schengen, UK and US Visa Holders
For the citizens of particular nationalities-including Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi passport holders-their requirement for an e-Visa for Turkey is a valid Schengen visa or a visa for the US, UK, or Ireland.
To this effect, immigration requires that both the passport of the traveler and the valid visa or residence permit for the Schengen/UK/US area be presented simultaneously.
- Dual Citizens
A holder of dual citizenship must present the same passport they used to apply for their visa upon entry to Turkey. Changing passports at immigration may create problems since the visa is attached to the presented passport.
If you plan to travel with two passports, be sure that both of the passports are valid.
What to Do If Your Passport Expires Before Your Trip
If your passport is due to expire before your trip to Turkey, then you need to renew it as soon as possible. Here's what to keep in mind:
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Action |
Details |
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Apply for a New Passport in Advance |
Renewing a passport typically takes several weeks, so it is recommended to apply for a new passport well before your intended travel date. |
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Reapply for E-Visa |
If you have obtained an e-Visa but your passport is renewed, you must reapply for a new e-Visa with the updated passport number. |
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Notify the Consulate |
If applying for a consular visa and your passport is expiring, inform the consulate and update them with the new passport details once it is obtained. |
Consequences of Not Meeting Passport Requirements
Failure to comply with Turkey's passport requirements may result in several issues:
- Visa Rejection: Insufficient validity or no blank pages in your passport may lead to rejection of the visa application.
- Entry Denial: Even after the issuance of a visa, if your passport does not meet the requirements-a passport with less than six months' validity-you may be denied entry to Turkey.
- Fines or Deportation: You may be detained/deported or face fines for entry to Turkey using an invalid/damaged passport.
Always check your passport well in advance of the trip and make sure it meets the requirements.
How to Have a Passport Ready for a Turkey Visa
Your passport is your ticket into Turkey, and ensuring it meets the passport requirements for a visa into Turkey will make your travel experience smooth. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity starting from the date of the application, contains sufficient blank pages, and is in good condition to avoid problems when traveling, whether for an e-Visa, a sticker visa, or a visa on arrival.
First, check your passport status before proceeding with the application process for a visa. If it is due to expire in less than six months, consider renewing it. Be prepared, and then you can engage in the trip to Turkey, one of the most interesting destinations in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of stay in Turkey.
Your passport should be valid enough to not create any issue at the border. If your passport is going to expire soon, it is better to renew it before applying for a Turkish visa.
No, you aren't allowed to apply for a Turkish visa with an old or expired passport; it should be a valid one that is current and has all the information.
A number of countries require a passport to have a special visa page. For some nationalities, this isn't necessary. Please check the requirements for your nationality.
If your passport is damaged, obtaining a visa will be difficult. It is advisable to renew your passport, if possible, before applying.
Your passport can have already been stamped with a previous Turkish visa, and you can apply for your new Turkish visa without any problems. You may have to provide supplementary documents or information.
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.