How to Obtain a Visa to Turkey

At the very onset, it is essential to note that all the countries do not require visa for all Nationalities. In that case you can arrive at the border, obtain a “tourist permit” and just walk into the country. However, it is necessary to check with a travel agent regarding the visa requirement clause. The official procedure of obtaining a visa is quite similar to that of boarder crossing. You need to go to the embassy, high commissioner, consulate or delegation of that country which you are going to visit. Go there by wearing your best clothes and be on your best behavior. It is essential to impress the embassy officials because they are the representatives of the country you wish to visit and are empowered to grant you visa.

Be informed about what you need to carry to the consulate – photos, letters of recommendations, air tickets and other documents. You may also need to show lots of money in your accounts. Actually different embassies for the same country behave differently and thus while some require lots of documents others ask for nothing. Therefore it’s best to be on the safer side and carry everything.

Visa application hours are only a few hours in the morning and hence it is better to get there early to avoid the hassle of standing in a long queue. It normally takes one to three days to get the visa during which the passport generally stays with the embassy. For contingency, it’s better to ask for a receipt of the passport from the consulate authority.

As far as Turkey is concerned, nationals of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland can enter Turkey only with a valid visa of three months to back them.

As according to the rules, British and Irish passport holders who are traveling to Turkey also need a visa. For the purpose they can go to the Turkish consulate general in London or Turkish Diplomatic mission in other countries. To obtain the visa from the Turkish consulate in London you need to apply to the consulate general with a passport size photo and the visa fees.

Those who are holding travel documents need to apply to the consulate general in person. The things, which you require in this case to make an application, are your travel documents with a minimum validity of one year, a passport size photo, fully filled application form, latest bank statement and a reference letter from your employer or educational institution. Finally, make sure that there is minimum validity of six months on your passport from the date of your entry into Turkey.