Turkey Visa On Arrival vs eVisa

Known for its archeological monuments, tranquil coastline, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine, Turkey has long been a favorite of travel enthusiasts across the world. The government of Turkey grants different kinds of visas for international travelers arriving in the country for purposes related to tourism, business, study, and work.  

Turkey allows visa-free entry to citizens of a few select countries. However, travelers from most foreign countries need a visa. While people from some eligible countries can obtain a visa on arrival, most foreign travelers are encouraged to get an eVisa before they land in the country. 

Introduced by the Turkish government in 2013, the online application process has considerably reduced the time needed to obtain a Turkish visa.   

Who Can Get a Turkey Visa on Arrival

Only citizens of a few eligible foreign nations can get a visa on arrival in Turkey. Travelers must meet certain criteria to get a visa on landing at a Turkish international airport. They are required to stand in a queue and pay the prescribed processing fee in cash to get a Turkey visa on arrival. It is undoubtedly a long and time-consuming process. Travelers who are eligible for a visa on arrival in Turkey can also apply for eVisa before their departure from their home country. They can do it at their convenience, time, and place. The Turkey eVisa is usually delivered within 24 hours. For example, US citizens are eligible for the eVisa.

Citizens of the following countries can get a Visa-on-Arrival:    

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Armenia
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bermuda
• Canada
• Croatia
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Estonia
• Greek Cypriot
• Grenada
• Haiti
• Hong Kong
• Jamaica
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Maldives
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Oman
• Portugal
• Saint Lucia
• V. and the Grenadines
• Spain
• United States of America

Citizens of India, North Korea, and a few African nations can get a visa on arrival in Turkey and stay up to 30 days if they have a valid Schengen visa or visas issued by Ireland and the United Kingdom.   

Urgent Turkey Visa

To avoid long queues at visa-on-arrival terminals, the Turkey government has introduced an urgent visa application method. Travelers from countries that can get a Turkey visa on arrival can apply for this after paying a small additional fee. They can apply for it when in the airport just before the departure or on the flight if they have a good internet connection. They just need to submit the required information like name and date of birth and provide a valid passport and email address.   

In normal circumstances, they will get their visa within 15 minutes. However, Turkish immigration is not guaranteeing any delivery time. However, the delays are reported only in very rare cases, and in most incidents, it is due to misspelled names and wrong information provided while applying. The visa is electronically linked to the passport.

Also, it is imperative to have a passport with a minimum validity of six months before applying for any Turkey visa. Once delivered, it is important to take a printout. If there are no printing machines, the applicants can store a soft copy on their smartphone.      

Note that the visa will be delivered to the registered email address. If there are errors in the email ID, the applicants may not get their visas on time. This may cause issues when they arrive in Turkey.   

eVisa Kiosks at International Terminals

Visitors from eVisa-eligible nations can apply for a Turkey eVisa at the arrival terminals in all the 66 international airports in the country.  These kiosks are located at the on-site offices of authorized airlines. This is a more efficient and completely online process, and the application fee is said to be less than that for visas obtained on arrival.    

What is a Turkish eVisa?

There are three ways to apply for a Turkey visa – online application, visa on arrival, or in-person application at an embassy. Of the three, online application is the fastest application process. If the applicants’ documents are in order, the eVisa will be delivered within 48 hours. Visa on arrival is advised only for passengers who did not plan the trip in advance, and it is more of a hassle.  

The eVisa also allows the Turkey government authorities to know who is crossing their borders beforehand and can contact them directly in case of an emergency. The eVisa is generally granted for 90 days, and the applicants can opt if they want a single-entry visa or multiple entries. Applicants preferring online Turkey visas can apply at Natvisa. They can complete the application process in a matter of a few minutes provided they have all the required information and documents in handy. 

It is to be noted that an eVisa is applicable only for tourism and business-related visits. If a foreigner wants to pursue higher education or work in the country, they have to apply for different visas after appearing in person in a Turkey embassy or consulate. The application process and time vary based on the visa type. The documents needed for eVisa are a passport with a minimum validity of six months, a credit/debit card, and an email address.   

The applicants also need to enter personal information like name and date of birth, and passport information. They may be asked to submit additional documents based on their nationality. The information entered should be sincere and match the details in the passport. If there are any discrepancies, the Turkey eVisa can be rejected. The Turkish government also uses this information to verify the entrants. Applicants with criminal inadmissibility can be denied a visa. 

If approved, the Turkey eVisa will be delivered to your email address. They need to show a digital copy of the same to the customs officials at the port of entry.  

Having an eVisa does not guarantee your entry to Turkey. It is based on the discretion of officials at the airport. All foreigners must comply with immigration and customs rules and regulations. Travelers arriving on a tourist visa must show their travel itinerary, including the return tickets and accommodation details. They also need to submit proof of funds to sustain themselves during their stay in the country. Likewise, those arriving on a business trip have to declare their itinerary to the officers at the port of entry.

Conclusion

Turkey is a popular destination for travelers around the world, known for its archeological sites, picturesque coastline, rich culture, and delicious cuisine.

However, most foreign travelers need a visa to enter the country. While citizens of select countries can get a Turkey visa on arrival, it is advisable to apply for an eVisa online, which is a more efficient and convenient process.

It is important to comply with immigration and customs rules and regulations and provide accurate information while applying for a visa. Overall, with proper planning and preparation, a trip to Turkey can be a memorable experience.