Are you considering a trip to Turkey, or as it’s now called, Türkiye? Our in-depth guide offers essential details for US citizens and simplifies the complexities of visa requirements, travel documentation, and other details that will help ensure your trip is successful.
Yes, you can get a Turkey visa on arrival (VOA) if you meet certain requirements. However, it’s important to note that the VOA is more expensive than the e-Visa and may not be available at all airports in Turkey.
Here’s a breakdown of the two options:
e-Visa:
- Cost: $200 for a single-entry visa, $300 for a multiple-entry visa.
- Processing time: 3 minutes.
- Available for: Citizens of over 90 countries.
- Apply online: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Visa on Arrival:
- Cost: $80 for a single-entry visa.
- Processing time: Varies, but can be up to an hour.
- Available for: Citizens of a limited number of countries.
- Apply at the airport: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa
Here are the requirements for getting a Turkey visa on arrival:
- You must be a citizen of one of the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxemburg
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining.
- You must have a return ticket or proof of onward travel.
- You must have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Turkey.
- You must not have been previously deported from Turkey.
If you meet all of these requirements, you can apply for a Turkey visa on arrival at the following airports:
- Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
- Antalya Airport (AYT)
- Izmir Airport (ADB)
- Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB)
- Dalaman Airport (DLM)
- Bodrum Airport (BJV)
- Gazipasa Airport (GZP)
To apply for a Turkey visa on arrival you will need to fill out a visa application form and pay the visa fee. You will also need to provide your passport, a return ticket or proof of onward travel, and proof of sufficient funds.
Once you have submitted your application, the visa officer will review it and make a decision. If your application is approved, you will be issued a visa on arrival.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about Turkey visas on arrival:
- The visa on arrival is only valid for a single entry into Turkey.
- The visa on arrival is valid for a maximum of 30 days.
- You cannot extend a Turkey visa on arrival.
- If you are planning to stay in Turkey for longer than 30 days, you will need to apply for a visa in advance from a Turkish embassy or consulate.
What travel documents do American citizens need to travel to Turkey?
US citizens need a valid passport and a visa to enter Turkey. While they can be useful as a travel document, government-issued photo IDs like driver’s licenses cannot take the place of a passport.
Turkey offers e-Visa (electronic visa) applications you can fill out online no later than 48 hours before departure. Whether you are traveling to Turkey for business, pleasure, or transit, the electronic visa is valid for 90-day stays. Keep in mind that short-term visas for business are only valid for conferences, business meetings, short courses, and related activities.
American citizens can apply for either a single-entry or a multiple-entry Turkish e-Visa, depending on their travel plans. Applications can be made for individuals, families of up to 10 people, or groups of 10 or 300.
Those who intend to work in Turkey or stay longer than ninety days must apply for a sticker visa. The visa requirements vary based on the nature of your travel and the duration of your stay.
To work in Turkey, you will need to apply for a work visa and a work permit at the nearest embassy or consulate. You must bring a passport, visa application form, and a letter from your employer. Your employer should submit other documents required to the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) within ten working days of your application.
Additionally, media assigned to report from Turkey, artists performing in Turkey, and anyone entering Turkey for other extended stays all need visas. You will need additional documentation and proof of permits for documentary film production, research, or archeological excavations.
Regardless of the length of their visa, foreign nationals who plan to live, work, or study in Turkey must register at the closest local police department as soon as they arrive.
Can you go to Turkey without a passport?
US citizens cannot travel to Turkey without a passport. The passport should be valid for at least six months after entering Turkey.
Some countries are exempt from the passport requirements. If you are a dual citizen traveling with a passport from Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Portugal, or Bulgaria, you can enter Turkey even if your passport has expired. There are country-specific limitations on the length of expiration.
Deciding Between Turkey eVisa or Visa On Arrival
FAQ
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