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Who needs a visa for Turkey?
Do I need a visa to visit Turkey?
It depends on your passport. Ordinary passport holders of many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and most of Europe, can enter without a visa for tourism, usually for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other nationalities need an eVisa or a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate. Check the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information for your nationality before you travel.
How long can I stay in Turkey without a visa?
Most visa-exempt nationalities may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Some have shorter limits, for example 30 days for Thailand and 60 days for the Russian Federation. The 180-day period is a rolling window, so officers count the days you already spent in Turkey.
Is the Turkey eVisa the same as a visa on arrival?
No. The eVisa is obtained online before travel and, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, costs less than a visa bought at a Turkish airport. A visa at the border is available only to a short list of nationalities, and some border visa services have ended, for example for Greek Cypriot passports from 2 January 2026.
Do diplomatic or official passport holders need a visa?
Rules for diplomatic, official, service and special passports differ from ordinary passports and vary by country. In some cases official passport holders need a visa even where ordinary passport holders do not. Check the Ministry's list for your passport type.
Can I enter Turkey with a national ID card instead of a passport?
Citizens of certain countries may enter with a national ID card under the European Agreement on Regulations governing the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe. Check the Ministry's list of countries before relying on this.
Turkey eVisa basics
What is the Turkey eVisa?
The eVisa is an electronic visa issued online through the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs system, launched on 17 April 2013. It replaced the sticker visa that was once issued at border crossings for eligible nationalities.
What can the eVisa be used for?
The eVisa is valid only for tourism or commerce (business) visits. Work, study and other purposes require a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate.
Who is eligible for the eVisa?
Eligibility depends on your nationality and passport type. Some nationalities can apply directly, others only under conditions, and some must apply to an embassy or consulate. The eVisa system shows the conditions for your passport when you start.
What is a conditional eVisa?
Some nationalities, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Philippines, can apply for the eVisa only if they hold a valid Schengen member state, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit. These are typically single-entry eVisas valid for one month. A few nationalities have other conditions, such as age bands or the airline used.
How long is the eVisa valid and how long can I stay?
It depends on your nationality. Typical official categories include a one-month single-entry eVisa for conditional nationalities and a three-month multiple-entry eVisa for some Caribbean and island nationalities. Your eVisa shows its validity period and permitted stay. Arrive within the validity period and do not stay longer than permitted.
Can I extend my eVisa or stay longer?
An eVisa cannot be extended online. To stay longer than the permitted stay, apply for a residence permit with the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management before the permitted stay ends. Overstaying can lead to fines, deportation and entry bans.
Applying for the Turkey eVisa
How do I apply for the Turkey eVisa?
Apply online through the official Turkish eVisa system. Register and sign in, choose your travel document and dates, review the fee, verify your email, pay by card and download the eVisa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the process as taking about three minutes.
How long does the eVisa take and when should I apply?
The eVisa is usually issued within minutes. The official system advises applying at least 48 hours before departure so you have time to resolve any problem.
Do I need to print my eVisa?
Border officers can check the eVisa on their system, but you should carry a printed copy or a copy on your phone in case their system is unavailable.
Can one application cover my whole family?
No. Each traveller needs an individual eVisa linked to their own passport, including children. Tour operators can apply for group eVisas through the system's group function.
What if the system says my application cannot be processed?
Do not keep resubmitting it. This usually means you cannot use the eVisa route and need to apply for a visa at a Turkish embassy or consulate.
Can I apply for someone else?
You can complete an application for a traveller only with their exact passport and travel details, because the eVisa is linked to that traveller's passport. Any error means the eVisa may not be valid.
Fees and payment
How much does the Turkey eVisa cost?
The fee depends on your nationality and travel document. It is shown before you pay and is charged only if the eVisa is approved. Our Turkey eVisa fees and processing guide explains the fee rules in detail.
Which payment methods are accepted?
Major credit and debit cards, such as Visa and Mastercard, are accepted on the official system. Bank transfers, cash and wallets are not normally offered. Make sure your card supports 3-D Secure and international online payments.
Do I get a refund if I do not travel?
No. An unused eVisa is not refunded.
Do I pay if my eVisa is refused?
No. The official system charges the fee for approved eVisas only.
Passport and travel documents
How long must my passport be valid for Turkey?
By law, your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of stay of your visa, eVisa or visa exemption. For a 30-day stay that is 90 days, and for a 90-day stay 150 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advises at least six months of validity from your arrival date, and airlines may apply the stricter standard.
What should I carry at the border?
Carry your passport and a copy of your eVisa if you need one. Keep details of your trip, such as accommodation and onward or return travel, in case officers ask. Conditional eVisa travellers should also carry the supporting visa or residence permit.
What if my name or passport number is wrong on the eVisa?
An eVisa that does not match your passport may not be valid. Apply again with the correct details and do not assume the first fee is refundable.
Do children need their own eVisa?
Yes, if their nationality requires a visa. Each traveller needs an individual application, even if the child is listed in a parent's passport.
Border entry, stays and rules
Does the eVisa guarantee entry to Turkey?
No. An eVisa or visa exemption lets you travel, but border officers decide admission. Passport validity and entry conditions are checked at the border.
What is the 90/180-day rule?
Most visa-exempt and eVisa visitors may stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Officers look back 180 days from your entry date and count all the days you already spent in Turkey. Leaving and re-entering does not reset the count.
Can I work or study on an eVisa?
No. The eVisa is valid only for tourism or commerce. Work and study require a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate, and a work permit process through the Turkish authorities.
Do I need a visa for a cruise stop?
Passengers who arrive by sea and visit only the port city or nearby provinces for up to 72 hours may be exempt from a visa. If you fly in or out as part of the cruise, normal visa rules apply. Confirm the details with your cruise operator.
Do I need a transit visa for Istanbul?
It depends on your nationality and itinerary. Some nationalities need an airport transit visa even if they stay in the international transit area. Check with your airline and see our Turkey airport transit eVisa guide.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying can lead to fines, deportation and a ban on future travel to Turkey. Leave before your permitted stay ends or apply for a residence permit in time.
Using VistoRoute for your Turkey eVisa
Is VistoRoute the Turkish government?
No. VistoRoute is a private information and application-assistance service and is not connected to the Turkish government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Is the VistoRoute service charge part of the visa fee?
No. Our assistance charge is separate from the government eVisa fee and is shown before you confirm.
Can I apply directly instead?
Yes. You can apply directly through the official Turkish eVisa system and pay only the government fee if you prefer not to use assistance.
Continue planning
Information and update notice. This page was last updated on 12 October 2026. Turkey's visa exemptions, eVisa eligibility, fees, processing times and entry conditions can change at short notice. This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. VistoRoute is a private information and application-assistance service and is not the visa authority of Türkiye or connected to the Turkish government. Always confirm the current rules for your passport with the official Turkish eVisa system, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Turkish embassy or consulate, or your airline before you book or travel.