Turkish Visa Types, Requirements, and Application Process

It is important for foreigners to examine the visa regime applied by Turkey and obtain information before travelling to Turkey for different purposes.

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There are differences between the visa regime applied to visits for tourism and business negotiations and visits for work and education purposes. In addition, the visa regime applied by Turkey to the citizens of other countries varies from country to country according to the principle of reciprocity.

What is A Visa?

A visa is a record that a state places in the passport of a foreigner travelling to its territory through its foreign missions or border authorities, which allows the foreigner to travel to the border crossing of its territory and apply for entry or exit to the border authorities.

Where to Apply to Get A Visa?

Visas can be obtained from the Consular Section of the Embassy, Consulate General or Consulate General of the country of destination. Some countries may also issue visas through their Honorary Consulates General or Honorary Consulates.

Types of Visas in Turkey

Visa types in Turkey according to the purpose of travel are presented below:

1. Tourism visa

Issued to foreigners who wish to come to Turkey for purposes such as touristic or official visits, business meetings, conferences, seminars, meetings, festivals, fairs, exhibitions, sportive, cultural, and artistic events.

2. Transit visa

The transit period determined by the transit visa to be issued to foreigners who wish to enter Turkey through any border gate and pass through Turkey within a specified period of time, will start again at each entry through the border gate within the validity period of the visa.

3. Airport transit visa

It is issued to foreigners who only wish to pass through the air border gate without entering Turkey.

4. Education visa

Issued to foreigners who wish to come to Turkey for education, training, internship, course, student exchange programme, and Turkish language course.

5. Work Visa

It is granted to foreigners within the scope of Article 55 of the Implementing Regulation of the Law on Work Permits of Foreigners published in the Official Gazette dated 29/8/2003 and numbered 25214 and to foreigners who are not within this scope and who wish to come to Turkey for work purposes.

In all kinds of private internship applications outside the scope of Article 55 of the Implementing Regulation of the Law on Work Permits of Foreigners under the title of “Work Permit Exemptions”, the applicant must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in accordance with Law No. 4817.

Article 55 of the Implementing Regulation of Law No. 4817 on Work Permits of Foreigners regulating work permit exemptions states in which cases and for how long foreigners are exempt from work permits. The said article is presented below. In this framework, applicants who fulfil the following conditions are not required to obtain a work permit.

Those who are exempted from work permit by bilateral or multilateral agreements to which Turkey is a party,

Foreigners whose permanent residence is abroad and who will temporarily come to Turkey for a period of less than one month for scientific, cultural and artistic activities and less than four months for sportive activities,

For the purpose of installation, maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment imported into Turkey, to provide training on its use or to take delivery of the equipment or to repair vehicles that break down in Turkey; provided that they do not exceed a total of three months within one year from the date of entry into Turkey and prove this situation with the documents to be submitted,

Those who are in Turkey for the purpose of training on the use of goods and services exported from Turkey or imported into Turkey provided that they do not exceed a total of three months within one year from the date of entry into Turkey and prove this situation with the documents to be submitted,

Those who are present in fairs and circuses that will operate outside the borders of certified tourism enterprises as a show and similar officials provided that they do not exceed six months from the date of entry into Turkey and prove this situation with the documents to be submitted,

Foreigners who come to universities and public institutions and organisations to increase their knowledge and experience by proving their status with the documents they will submit, not exceeding two years and limited to the duration of their education,

Those who are notified by the relevant authorities that they can provide significant services and contributions to Turkey in socio-cultural, technological and educational fields within a period not exceeding six months,

Foreigners coming within the scope of the programmes carried out by the Directorate for European Union Education and Youth Programmes (National Agency) (during the programme),

Foreigners who will undergo internship within the framework of international trainee student programmes, the scope and duration of which are agreed upon by the Ministry, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidency of the Council of Higher Education,

Foreigners who are representatives of tour operators travelling to Turkey for a period not exceeding eight months,

Foreign football players and other athletes and coaches whose requests are approved by the Football Federation or the General Directorate of Youth and Sports (during their contracts),

In accordance with Rule I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, foreign seafarers working on ships registered in the Turkish International Ship Registry and operating outside the cabotage line who have received a “Certificate of Conformity Approval” from the relevant administration in accordance with the bilateral protocols made with the states,

Foreign experts assigned in projects carried out within the scope of Turkey-European Union Financial Cooperation Programmes.

The residence permits of foreigners coming to Turkey within this scope are issued by Provincial Directorates of Migration Management as “Short Term” residence permits. The exemption periods are not extended and foreigners within this scope can benefit from the exemption provisions only once in a calendar year. However, in order to benefit from this right, three months must have elapsed from the expiry date of the residence permit previously obtained by the foreigner for the same purpose. In case the foreigner will work longer than the exemption periods, it is obligatory for the foreigner to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

6. Official Duty Visa

Issued to foreigners who are assigned to official duties or assigned as diplomatic couriers.

7. Other Types of Visas

It is issued to foreigners who want to come to Turkey for purposes other than the purposes specified in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (ç), (d), (e) and for purposes such as archaeological excavation, research, film or documentary shooting, treatment, accompaniment, family reunification, humanitarian aid, transport.

Requirements for Turkish Visa

Before travelling to Turkey, it is essential for foreigners to do extensive research on the appropriate visa and its requirements for their purpose of travel. In Turkey, there are visa types suitable for different travel purposes and duration of visits. However, Turkey’s visa regime for foreigners varies according to the principle of reciprocity, in other words, according to the country of the foreigner wishing to visit Turkey.

In Turkey, some citizens of some countries are exempt from visa requirements for tourist travelling, while some citizens of other countries can obtain their visas for touristic purposes electronically. In addition, applications for work and education visas can be made electronically, but the applicant foreigner must visit the relevant consulate or embassy in person.

First of all, the first requirement that the foreigner must meet for each type of visa, even in the case of visa exemption or residence permit, is the passport validity period.

1. Passport Validity Period

First of all, the first requirement that the foreigner must meet for each type of visa, even in the case of visa exemption or residence permit, is the passport validity period. A foreigner wishing to visit Turkey must have a passport or passport substitute document valid for 60 days after the expiry of the visa, visa exemption or residence permit.

The first exception to this rule is citizens travelling with identity cards within the framework of the European Agreement on the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe. Citizens of Germany, Belgium, France, Georgia, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, TRNC, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal and Greece can travel to Turkey with an identity card.

In addition, German citizens can travel to Turkey with a passport and identity card that have expired within the last year; Belgian citizens can travel to Turkey with a passport that has expired within the last five years; French citizens can travel to Turkey with a passport that has expired within the last five years; Spanish citizens can travel to Turkey with a passport that has expired within the last five years; Swiss citizens can travel to Turkey with a passport that has expired within the last five years; Luxembourg citizens can travel to Turkey with a passport that has expired within the last five years; Portuguese citizens can travel to Turkey with a passport that has expired within the last five years.

2. Turkish Visa Application Fee

The second condition is the payment of the visa application fee, which varies according to the type of visa and the country of the foreigner who wants to obtain a visa.

3. Health Insurance For Turkish Visa

The third condition is that the foreigner who wants to obtain a visa must have a health insurance valid in Turkey and covering the entire period of the foreigner’s stay.

4. Turkish Visa Applications Of Foreigners Under 18

A specific condition applied to visa applications of foreigners under 18 years of age is that the consent of both parents must be obtained. Those whose parents are separated or who declare that one of the parents is not alive must submit a document showing that they have custody of the child.

5. Tourist Visa Requirements

If a letter of invitation is submitted in tourist visa applications, the letter must contain

• the inviting person’s T.R. Identity number,
• clear identity,
• guest list,
• residence address,
• contact number,
• duration and purpose of stay,
• and whether the applicant is related to the applicant.

If the inviting party is an organisation, a tax certificate is requested. In addition, the inviting party is required to declare in the letter of invitation that he/she will provide board and lodging for the invitee on his/her own responsibility. In addition, the applicant is also required to have sufficient or regular means.

6. Work Visa Requirements

The requirements for a work visa include the fulfilment of the above-mentioned general requirements for a visa, as well as the provision of certain information and documents. These documents are listed below.

• Employment contract signed by the employer and the foreigner.
• A copy of the passport. (In cases where the passport is not written in Latin letters, a sworn translation certified by a sworn translator or official authorities will be attached to the application).
• Copy of Diploma or Provisional Graduation Certificate, the Turkish translation of which is certified by a sworn translator or official authorities. (It is not compulsory to submit a diploma in domestic services, but a statement regarding the last school completed is sufficient.)
• Turkish Trade Registry Gazette showing the latest capital and partnership structure of the employer.
• Balance sheet and profit/loss statement of the employer for the last year, approved by the tax office or sworn financial advisor.

7. Education Sector Work Visa Requirements

• For foreigners who will work in private education institutions affiliated to the Ministry of National Education, a document from the Ministry of National Education showing the professional competence of the foreigner
• ‘Permission to Open an Institution and Start Teaching’ and “Licence” obtained from the Ministry of National Education for private education institutions that will employ foreigners

8. Home Services Work Visa Requirements

• Foreigners are not allowed to work in domestic services except for the care of the elderly, sick and children.

9. Health Sector Work Visa Requirements

• For foreign health professionals who will work in private health institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Health, a Preliminary Permit Certificate showing the professional competence of the foreigner obtained from the Provincial Directorate of Health of the province where the health institution is located.
• For private health institutions that will employ foreigners, Certificate of Operation Permit obtained from the Provincial Directorate of Health.

10. Tourism Sector Work Visa Requirements

• For foreigners to be employed in workplaces with a tourism business certificate, the Operation and Investment Certificate obtained from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, or if it is not a certified business, the Activity Certificate obtained from the Chamber of Commerce.

11. Entertainment Sector Work Visa Requirements

• Turkish translation certified by a sworn translator or official authorities (The foreigner for whom a work permit is requested must have an apostille annotation or Foreign Representative Office certification annotation on his/her certificate showing that he/she is internationally renowned as an artist or has worked at the same level by making programmes in foreign enterprises).
• Employment Contract in Turkish and in the language of the foreigner with wet signature,
• Certificate of Operation obtained from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism,

12. Aviation Sector Work Visa Requirements

• For foreign pilots to be employed in workplaces operating in the aviation sector, the Turkish translation of the Pilot Licence approved by a sworn translator or official authorities,

13. Engineers and Architects Work Visa Requirements

• ‘Diploma or Temporary Graduation Equivalence Certificate’ to be obtained in accordance with the Regulation on Equivalence of Higher Education Diplomas Abroad in accordance with Articles 3 and 7/p of Law No. 2547, in case the foreigner whose work permit is requested as an engineer/architect within the scope of Professional Services has received higher education abroad.
• For legal entities that will employ foreign experts as engineers/architects/urban planners, a pay slip proving that a Turk is employed in the same profession

Length of Stay Provided by Turkish Visa

The length of stay in Turkey provided by a visa or visa exemption may not exceed 90 days in every 180 days. The rule that the total length of stay in Turkey within the last 180 days cannot exceed 90 days applies to all foreign citizens travelling to Turkey. It is not possible for foreigners with dual passports to stay in Turkey for 90 days each in the last 180 days with separate passports. Foreigners who wish to stay more than 90 days in Turkey may apply for a short-term residence permit at the Provincial Directorates of Migration Management and extend their residence.

How Can I Appeal Against The Rejection Of My Visa Application in Turkey?

In international law, the national sovereignty of States is fundamental. They exercise this sovereignty as they wish through the laws they enact within their borders. Among the powers of national sovereignty is to determine which foreigners can enter their countries and under which conditions. The visa serves this purpose. This power of the State is indisputable in terms of international law. States may limit their sovereign powers of their own volition.

An appeal against the rejection of a visa application is first made in writing to the representative office that rejected the visa. If no positive response is received, it is possible to apply for judicial remedy. However, there are not many countries where the judicial remedy for visa refusal is open. In Turkey, unfortunately, it can be considered that the judicial remedy against the decision to reject a visa application is not open. On the other hand, Article 125 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey provides for an open judicial remedy against all acts and actions of the administration. Since the rejection of the visa application is an administrative act, it is a requirement of law that a judicial remedy can be applied for the cancellation of this act.

The Court of Justice of the European Union in its judgement in the case of Soysal&Savatlı has expressed similar points.

Countries with Visa Exemption for Entry to Turkey

Citizens of the countries listed below do not need a visa to enter Turkey.

Germany, Belgium, France, Georgia, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, TRNC, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Ukraine, Greece, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Azerbaijan

Conclusion

Understanding the intricacies of the Turkish visa system is crucial for foreigners planning to visit Turkey for various purposes. The visa regime differs based on the nature of the visit, be it for tourism, business, work, or education. Additionally, the specific requirements vary between countries, adhering to the principle of reciprocity. The comprehensive range of visa types, including tourism, transit, education, work, and official duty visas, reflects the diverse reasons individuals may travel to Turkey. Moreover, awareness of the exemptions outlined in the law allows certain individuals, such as those involved in specific projects or international programs, to benefit from temporary work permits without the need for an extensive application process. While the rejection of a visa application is a sovereign power of the state, it is fair to say that individuals have the right to appeal through a written process and, when necessary, seek judicial remedies. Lastly, some fortunate individuals from countries with visa exemptions enjoy the privilege of entering Turkey without obtaining a visa in advance, promoting smoother international travel for citizens of these nations.

How We Can Assist You?

As Viridis Legal Partners, we understand the difficulties enveloping visas in Turkey and their applications. Our dedicated team of immigration attorneys in İstanbul is well-equipped to guide you through the legal processes and keep you well-informed about the Turkish Visa Regime. Whether you are seeking assistance in obtaining legal information about visas in Turkey or seeking legal remedies against the rejection of visa applications in Turkey, our experienced lawyers of foreigners law in Turkey are here to provide comprehensive support.

We can assist you in understanding the nuances of immigration laws, aid you compile the necessary documentation for certain types of visas in Turkey, and ensure that you are well-informed about the benefits and obligations associated with this status.

Our personalized services extend to facilitating the notification procedures required by the law and ensuring that your application aligns with the current legal framework. Whether you are an individual, a family, or a business entity, we tailor our expertise to meet your specific needs. Trust Viridis Legal Partners to be your legal partner in navigating the complexities of visa applications in Turkey, offering guidance, and facilitating a smooth process for you. Contact us today to explore how we can assist you on your journey to acquiring or managing your visa processes in Turkey.