Turkey visa entry requirements
Travelers often ask: do you need a visa for Turkey? Entry requirements depend on nationality, trip purpose, and passport validity. This guide explains Turkey visa requirements, exemptions, and the 90/180 rule, so you can prepare your trip with confidence.
Instantly check if you need a visa for Turkey
Complete your Turkey eVisa application online in just a few minutes.
Before planning your trip, it’s important to understand the entry requirements for Turkey. Depending on your nationality, you may enter without a visa, apply online for an eVisa, or request a visa from a Turkish consulate. Travelers often wonder: do I need a visa for Turkey? The answer varies, but in most cases short tourist stays are covered by exemptions or a quick online application. Key Turkey visa requirements include a passport valid for at least six months, respect of the 90/180 rule, and sometimes proof of onward travel. This complete guide clarifies visa options, costs, and passport requirements so you can travel to Turkey without stress.
📌 Key facts about Turkey entry requirements (2025)
- ✈️ Visa-free countries → Many EU, UK, US, Canada, and Gulf nationals can enter Turkey without a visa.
- 🌐 Turkey eVisa → Available online in minutes for more than 50 nationalities.
- 🛂 Consular visa → Required for some travelers not eligible for the eVisa system.
- ⏳ Stay duration → Standard rule: 90 days within a 180-day period.
- 📑 Passport requirement → Valid at least 6 months after entry; some EU citizens may enter with an ID card.
- 💳 Cost → Turkey eVisa fees vary by nationality, usually starting from USD 20–60.
✈️ Good news: many travellers can visit Turkey without a visa for short stays. All you need is a valid passport (or sometimes a national identity card for European citizens).
🌍 The countries concerned include most of the European Union as well as several of Turkey's neighbouring countries and long-standing partners. This ease of access helps make Turkey a favourite destination, whether for a weekend in Istanbul, a beach holiday in Antalya or a cultural tour of Cappadocia.
📋 Here is the updated list of countries exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period:
✅ For these travellers, the general rule is an authorised stay of 90 days maximum over a period of 180 days. This principle, known as ‘90/180’, means that it is possible to accumulate several stays in Turkey, as long as the total duration does not exceed three months in the last six months.
💡 Good to know:
- Some countries, such as France, Germany, Spain and Italy, even allow entry with a valid identity card.
- For countries in the Schengen Area, this exemption encourages spontaneous travel and facilitates short stays.
- However, travellers must check the validity of their passport: it must generally be valid for at least six months after the date of entry into Turkey.
🌟 In summary, travelling to Turkey without a visa is possible for most visitors from European countries and partner countries. This exemption policy greatly simplifies the requirements and allows you to prepare for your trip with peace of mind, without any prior administrative constraints.
🛂 Some travellers can enter Turkey with only their national identity card, without a passport. This facility applies mainly to European citizens, which greatly simplifies tourist stays.
🌍 The major countries concerned are:
✅ In all cases, the identity card must be official, biometric and valid. The authorised length of stay remains, in principle, 90 days maximum over a period of 180 days.
💡 Please note:
- Check that your card is in good condition and valid for several months after entering Turkey.
- Some airlines will refuse boarding if the document is close to expiry or damaged.
- This measure is ideal for short stays (holidays, city breaks in Istanbul, quick business trips).
🌟 Thanks to this passport exemption, Turkey is even more accessible to European travellers, making it quick and easy to organise a trip without any complicated administrative procedures.
🌍 Travelling to Turkey has become easier thanks to the eVisa system, available for many nationalities. The procedure is quick: the application is made entirely online via the official website, in just a few minutes. Once the form has been completed and the fees paid by credit card, the traveller receives their eVisa by email in PDF or QR code format. This document must be presented on arrival in Turkey, in printed or digital form, and generally allows a stay of 30 to 90 days, depending on the bilateral agreement in force with each country.
✈️ The eVisa is valid for tourist or business travel (conferences, short business trips, etc.), but does not give the right to work or settle permanently.
📋 Simplified procedure
Most travellers obtain their eVisa within a few minutes, but it is recommended that you apply at least 48 hours before departure to avoid any technical difficulties.
💡 What you need to know before travelling
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry into Turkey.
- The eVisa is personal: each traveller, including children, must have one.
- The document is usually multi-entry (multiple entries possible during the period of validity), but this depends on the country of origin.
- The eVisa cannot be used for work or study purposes.
- Some travellers may still be able to obtain a visa on arrival, but Turkey now strongly recommends using the electronic system.
For these nationalities, it is required to hold a valid Schengen, UK, US or Irish visa or residence permit for the application to be accepted:
✅ The major conditions are simple:
💡 Practical tip: always keep a printed copy of your eVisa and reference visa (Schengen, UK, US, Ireland) with you. This will facilitate checks and avoid any delays when boarding or at the Turkish airport.
🌟 This system broadens access to Turkey while ensuring a secure framework that is in line with international practices.
🛂 Some citizens are not eligible for an eVisa and must go through the Turkish consulate or embassy to obtain an entry authorization.
🌍 The countries concerned include: Syria, Cuba, North Korea and other states subject to restrictions.
📑 For these nationalities, the procedure can only be carried out in person and requires:
⚠️ Processing can take several weeks, so it is recommended that you apply well in advance of booking your flight.
🌟 For these travellers, the consular visa remains the only legal option for travelling to Turkey, unlike tourists who are exempt or eligible for an eVisa.
⏳ The general rule for travellers to Turkey, whether visa-exempt or eVisa holders, is that the authorised stay must not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. This principle, known as the 90/180 rule, is identical to that applied in the Schengen area. In practice, this means that you can enter and leave Turkey several times, but the total length of your stays must not exceed 90 days over the last six months.
🌍 This rule applies to most nationalities, whether they are travelling without a visa, with an identity card (for Europeans concerned) or with an eVisa. For stays exceeding this limit, it is required to apply for a residence permit from the Turkish authorities.
⚖️ However, there are some exceptions:
💡 Important points to remember:
🌟 In summary, for most tourists, the limit remains 90 days in a 180-day period, but some countries have special agreements offering more flexibility.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
Yes, Australian citizens are required to obtain an eVisa before traveling to Turkey. The process is entirely online, quick, and straightforward: travelers fill in the application on the official eVisa platform, pay the fee by card, and usually receive their approved document within minutes by email. The eVisa allows Australian passport holders to enter Turkey for tourism or short business trips, generally up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is important to ensure the passport remains valid for at least six months after the date of entry. Without an eVisa, boarding may be refused by airlines.
Yes. Iraqi passport holders must obtain a Turkey eVisa before traveling. The application is done entirely online and usually takes only a few minutes. The eVisa allows short stays, generally up to 30 days within 180 days, for tourism or business purposes. To qualify, travelers must provide a valid Iraqi passport (minimum six months validity), proof of onward or return flights, hotel reservations, and sufficient financial resources. In some cases, an existing visa or residence permit from the Schengen area, the UK, the US, or Ireland may be required. The Turkey eVisa simplifies entry compared to a consular visa.
Yes, Sri Lankan passport holders must apply for a Turkey eVisa before traveling. The application is done online via the official platform, with approval often granted within a few minutes once the fee is paid. However, Sri Lankan citizens must also meet specific conditions: to be eligible, they need to hold a valid visa or residence permit from the Schengen area, the UK, the US, or Ireland. The eVisa typically allows stays of up to 30 days within 180 days, for tourism or short business trips only. Without these supporting documents, travelers must apply directly for a visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate.
Yes. South African citizens are not visa-exempt and must obtain a Turkey eVisa before departure. The application is completed online, and most travelers receive approval within minutes by email. The Turkey eVisa for South African nationals is typically valid for tourism or short business trips and allows multiple entries during a 30-day stay. Required documents include a valid passport (at least six months beyond entry), a confirmed return flight, and proof of accommodation. The process is simple, secure, and cheaper than applying for a consular visa.
Yes, Pakistani citizens are not exempt and must obtain a Turkey eVisa prior to arrival. The application is available online, but eligibility is subject to conditions. Pakistani travelers must hold a valid visa or residence permit issued by Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, the United States, or Ireland to qualify. If these documents are available, the eVisa is usually processed quickly and sent by email, allowing entry for up to 30 days within a 180-day period. For longer stays or if the traveler does not meet the eVisa requirements, it is necessary to apply for a visa through a Turkish consulate.