Turkey, with its great past, breathtaking scenery and colorful life attracts tourists from all over the world. Getting a visa for Turkey is an essential part of a travel plan to this beautiful country. Making your way through the visa process may look like a tedious process, but with a complete step by step guide, you will breeze through it. This is a comprehensive guide on how to process your Turkish Visa, eliminating all possible confusions along the way.
Determine the Type of Visa You Need
It is vital to know what kind of visa matches your travel intentions prior to venturing into the application procedure. There are several visa types offered by the country of Turkey, like tourist visas, business visas, student visas, etc. Your type of visa depends on your purpose of visiting and the duration you will be staying in the country. Among tourists, the standard e-visa is usually the most common pick. But, if you will stay long, work, or study in this country, you should select another visa category. You Visit the official website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to discover different kinds of visas and choose the most suitable type
Apply for an e-Visa Online
The arrival of the electronic visa, or e-Visa for short, is undoubtedly a great step forward in terms of convenience. Now travellers have a more convenient alternative that doesn’t require them to make personal contact at an Embassy or Turkish Consulate. The process of securing your Turkish e-Visa is very simple in principle. Commence by accessing the official e-Visa Application Website at https: //www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. After arriving, choose carefully your country of origin and passport type. To start the application, click on Apply Now and then you will be guided through an online form in which it is very important that your information match exactly with that of your passport. You may be asked to submit a digital copy of your passport photo page among other documents. Please provide your travel particulars, including the date you expect to arrive in Turkey. Fortunately, visa fees can be paid through credit or debit cards and detailed filling of the required information may be required. After approval, an email will be sent with a copy of the attached e-visa document. You must keep a paper copy of the e-Visa. It is valid for a period of stay of 90 days in Turkey within 180 days of visa application approval. So, it is important to submit the e-Visa application early, well in advance of anticipated travel.
Check the Passport Validity Requirements
Make sure you check that your passport has the necessary validity before applying for your Turkish visa. The passport should be valid for not less than six months after your planned departure from Turkey. Consider renewing your passport that is about to expire before you make an application for a visa.
Gather Supporting Documents
Applying for an e-visa to Turkey is normally uncomplicated; but possessing and providing the right documents is important. You should bring a recent passport-size photo (soft or hard copy may be required). Keep a copy of your flight itinerary for proof of your travel plans. Since several visa types require attestation describing your accommodation, you should also carry hotel reservations or a letter of invitation from the person who is going to host you in Turkey. Sometimes, travel insurance to cover medical expenses is also needed. So, check if your visa type requires you to take travel insurance. Proof of financial preparedness is important, and you may be asked to provide documents such as bank statements or a letter from your sponsor. Under certain circumstances, a letter of intent indicating the reason for your visit and an outline detailing information about your plans can offer further support to your application. Being equipped with these documents means a more efficient and successful e-visa application.
Visit a Turkish Consulate or Embassy (if necessary)
Some visa types demand an appearance at a Turkish embassy or consulate. So if you are in this category, make your appointment early and don’t forget to bring all necessary papers. You will have a guide in the consulate or embassy that explains what exactly is required for your class of visa.
Pay Attention to Processing Times
Turkish visas’ processing period depends on the category and number in the queue as well. Therefore, we recommend you make an application long before your actual traveling dates to compensate for unexpected delays. Go to the official Turkish Visa application page and check out the estimated processing time, contact the nearest consulate or embassy in your country as well.
Monitor the Status of Your Application
Keep track of your visa if it requires processing at the Turkish consulate or embassy. Some consulates offer online tracking services whereby you can follow the processing status of your visa application. Be quick in responding to any demands made of you such as requesting extra documents or other information to avoid unnecessary postponements.
Collect Your Visa
Get your visa from the Turkish consulate or embassy or follow what is necessary for the particular visa type. It’s advisable to download and print out a copy of the visa if you have applied for an e-visa which can be carried along while traveling. Make sure that all of the information in your travel documents match with the information in your visa.
Extra Tips for an Effortless Adventure
To enhance your overall experience and ensure a hassle-free journey to Turkey, consider the following additional tips:
-Currency and Payments: Familiarize yourself with the Turkish Lira. Most of the major credit cards are acceptable in urban areas. However, it will be a good idea to keep some money with you as you move towards more rural places in the country.
-Language: English is widely spoken in the popular tourist spots. But, learning some phrases in Turkish, the official language of Turkey will help you to make a bond with the locals. It will also help you to get by in remote and rural areas of Turkey.
-Health Precautions: Ensure that you have all the needed vaccines prior to travelling to Turkey. Bring along necessary medication and practice care when eating and drinking.
-Emergency Contact Information: Save essential data, including Turkey’s local emergency number( 112)and your country’s embassy or consulate contacts in Turkey.
-Travel Insurance: Having comprehensive travel insurance may not be mandatory but is recommended. Make sure that there is a comprehensive cover of trip cancelling, emergencies, and other unforeseeable events.
Bon voyage to Turkey!
Thus, you are all ready for an exciting voyage that involves exposure to culture, historical treasure, and Turkish hospitality. Explore Turkey as never before by shopping in the bustles of Istanbul, visiting the old town of Ephesus, or relaxing on the white beach sands of Antalya.
Though this process might appear complicated, if you take the necessary steps and follow instructions regarding the application for a Turkish visa, everything will become clear and simple. According to your need, choose between e-Visa and the traditional consulate application and do it before you start to collect needed papers and documents and know more details on how to select the visa category. Following this complete guideline, you will easily take care of all necessary preparations and have unforgettable impressions while traveling, discovering diverse beauty of nature and Turkish people. Happy traveling!
