Türkiye — Visa Overview
About Türkiye
Türkiye is one of the world's most captivating destinations — a transcontinental nation that straddles Europe and Asia, where East meets West in one of history's most extraordinary crossroads of civilisation. Few countries on earth can match the depth, diversity, and sheer richness of what Türkiye offers every traveller.
Istanbul — one of the world's greatest cities — enchants with the iconic Hagia Sophia, the magnificent Blue Mosque, the grandeur of Topkapi Palace, and the vibrant energy of the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Cappadocia captivates with its otherworldly fairy chimneys, ancient underground cities, and the magical spectacle of hot-air balloons drifting over a surreal volcanic landscape at dawn — one of the most iconic travel images in the world. Pamukkale mesmerises with its terraced white calcium pools and ancient Roman ruins, while the turquoise coastline of Antalya and the Aegean shores of Bodrum and Izmir offer some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful beaches.
Türkiye is also home to the ancient ruins of Ephesus — one of the best-preserved Roman cities on earth — the stunning landscapes of Mount Nemrut, the spiritual significance of Konya, and the Black Sea's lush highlands of Trabzon. Its cuisine — from the legendary döner kebab and fresh Turkish mezze to the indulgence of a traditional Turkish hammam followed by authentic Turkish tea — is a cultural experience in itself. Safe, welcoming, affordable, and extraordinarily rich in heritage, Türkiye remains one of the most visited destinations in the world and an essential experience for every traveller from the region.
What is a Türkiye Visa?
A Türkiye visa is an official travel authorisation issued by the Republic of Türkiye, permitting eligible foreign nationals to enter Türkiye for tourism, business, or other short-term purposes. Türkiye operates a three-tier entry system determined entirely by the passport held — not by the country of residence. Understanding which tier applies to your passport is the critical first step before making any travel arrangements.
Do You Need a Türkiye Visa? — UAE, India & KSA
UAE Nationals:
UAE nationals holding an Emirati passport benefit from a bilateral visa-exemption arrangement between the UAE and Türkiye. UAE nationals may enter Türkiye visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period — for tourism, business, or family visits. No visa application of any kind is required. The Emirati passport must be valid for at least 150 days from the intended date of entry into Türkiye.
UAE Residents of Other Nationalities:
The visa requirement is determined entirely by the passport held — not by UAE residency status. UAE residency alone does not qualify an applicant for any specific visa category. Please refer to the visa category section below to confirm the applicable route for your passport nationality.
KSA Nationals:
Saudi Arabian nationals are not on Türkiye's visa-exempt list and are required to obtain a visa before travelling. KSA nationals are eligible to apply for the Türkiye eVisa directly through the official portal — evisa.gov.tr.
KSA Residents of Other Nationalities:
The visa requirement is determined entirely by the passport held. Please refer to the visa category section below to confirm the applicable route for your passport nationality.
Indian Nationals:
Indian nationals require a visa to enter Türkiye. Please refer to the critical update below regarding eVisa eligibility for Indian passport holders effective 1 March 2026.
Two Visa Options — eVisa & Regular Sticker Visa
Option 1 — Türkiye eVisa
For eligible nationalities — fully online, no embassy visit required
The Türkiye eVisa is a fully digital visa applied for online through the official Republic of Türkiye Electronic Visa Application System — evisa.gov.tr. It is issued as a PDF document delivered to the applicant's registered email address — no physical sticker, no passport submission, and no embassy visit required at any stage.
- Validity: 180 days from the date of issue
- Permitted Stay: Up to 30 or 90 days per visit depending on nationality
- Entries: Single or multiple entry depending on nationality
- Processing Time: Generally within minutes to 24 hours
- Passport Validity Required: Minimum 150 days from the date of entry into Türkiye
Option 2 — Regular Sticker Visa
For nationalities not eligible for the eVisa
The regular Türkiye sticker visa is a physical visa affixed directly into the applicant's passport by the Türkiye Consulate General. It covers all purposes — tourism, business, and family visits — and applies to nationalities and circumstances not eligible for the eVisa route.
- Applications are submitted through the Türkiye Consulate General in Dubai for UAE-based applicants
- Processing typically takes 7 to 10 working days
- Original passport submission is required and retained during processing
Critical Update — Effective 1 March 2026
Effective 1 March 2026, the Republic of Türkiye revised eVisa eligibility for Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Nigerian passport holders. These nationalities are eligible for the Türkiye eVisa only if they hold a valid Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland visa or residence permit — regardless of whether the visa has been previously used or not. As long as the visa or residence permit is valid at the time of applying for the Turkey eVisa, the applicant qualifies. Applicants from these nationalities who do not hold a valid Schengen, US, UK, or Ireland visa must apply for a regular sticker visa through the Türkiye Consulate General.
Filipino passport holders remain eligible for the Türkiye eVisa on the basis of a UAE Residence Visa alone — no additional third-country visa is required.
Passport Validity — Important Türkiye-Specific Rule
Unlike most destinations where a minimum of 6 months passport validity is required, Türkiye has its own specific rule — the passport must be valid for a minimum of 150 days from the intended date of entry. Applicants are strongly advised to verify their passport's remaining validity against this specific requirement before applying.
Permitted Activities — Tourism & Business
Tourism:
Sightseeing, leisure travel, visiting family or friends, cultural experiences, and short recreational activities.
Business:
Attending meetings, conferences, seminars, trade fairs, and business negotiations. Visitors cannot engage in paid employment or perform any revenue-generating work for a Turkish company.
Processing Time
- eVisa: Generally processed within minutes to 24 hours from the time of application.
- Regular Sticker Visa: Approximately 7 to 10 working days from the date of submission at the Consulate General.
General Disclaimer
All visa decisions — including approval, refusal, validity, number of entries, and permitted duration of stay — rest solely with the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkish immigration authorities at the port of entry. Luxury Tours acts as a professional visa assistance provider only. Submission of a complete application does not guarantee visa approval or entry into Türkiye.
