Reference guide

The Turkish visa: who needs one, and where to apply

Last reviewed: 26 September 2026 · Source: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Presidency of Migration Management

Three situations exist and no fourth: full visa exemption, exemption conditional on age, or a visa required. The e-Visa is not a general substitute for a visa — it is a channel open to specific nationalities under conditions, and for tourism or commerce only. Study and work visas are issued by an embassy or consulate.

Before anything else: your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, and must remain valid for 60 days after the end of your intended stay.

Examples of entry status

Ordinary passport holders — wording published by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Country	Status	Detail
France	Exempt	Up to 90 days.
Russia	Exempt	Touristic and business travel up to 60 days.
Ukraine	Exempt	Up to 90 days.
Kazakhstan	Exempt	Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Morocco · Tunisia	Exempt	Up to 90 days.
Algeria	Age-based	Ordinary passport holders between 15 and 50 require a visa. Those aged 15–18 and 35–50 holding a valid Schengen, US, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit may obtain a one-month single-entry e-Visa.
Iraq	Age-based	Under 15 and over 50: exempt for 90 days. Ages 15–50: visa required; an e-Visa is possible with a valid Schengen, US, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit.
Syria · Sudan	Visa required	No e-Visa option is listed — a sticker visa from a mission is the only route.

This table shows examples. For your exact nationality, check the ministry page linked above — the rules are amended by official decision.

The e-Visa: when it helps and when it does not

Valid for tourism or commerce only. Work and study visas come from an embassy or consulate.
For several nationalities it is granted only to holders of a valid Schengen, US, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit — and that visa must be valid on your travel date, not expired.
In those conditional cases it is a single entry, valid for 30 days, not 90.
Apply only at evisa.gov.tr. Turkish missions have published formal warnings about counterfeit e-Visa websites.

Where applications are actually submitted

Türkiye does not receive visa applications the same way everywhere. In some countries a single authorised intermediary company receives every file; in others the mission receives applications directly; in most of Europe, the UK and Canada there is no intermediary at all and the application goes through the ministry's own pre-application system.

The authorised channel changes. It changed in Saudi Arabia in January 2026, and many agencies still operate on the previous information. Confirm the current channel before you hand anyone your passport — and never use an agency that cannot show you an office of the authorised provider.

Documents that recur in almost every file

Passport valid six months or more beyond arrival, with two blank pages.
Two recent biometric photographs on a white background.
The printed, signed application form from the pre-application system.
Proof of legal residence in the country of application if you are not a citizen of it.
Financial evidence: three months of bank statements, salary certificate or company registration.
Return flight reservation and accommodation booking in Türkiye.
Travel insurance covering the period of the trip.
An official invitation if you travel for treatment, study, business or an exhibition.

Indicative list only — the binding list is the one published by the mission or centre where you apply.

We say this plainly: the decision belongs to the consulate alone. No company — including ours — can promise you approval. What we can do is make sure your file arrives complete, in the right channel, with a genuine invitation where one is needed.

Not sure where to apply from your country?

Tell us your nationality, where you are now and the purpose of travel. We identify the authorised channel that applies today, book the appointment, and review your file before it is submitted.

Ask about your visa