Turkey Tourist Visa for Indians - Definitive Guide

Officially known as the ‘touristic’ visa, this lets individuals visit the country and take part in tourist activities. Quite a number of nationals actually do not need a visa to enter. A lot of other nationals can, in fact, get the visa on arrival. However, citizens of a few countries including India will need to apply for a visa beforehand. Although, as an Indian, if you hold a valid Schengen, US, UK, Ireland visa or residence permit, you are also eligible for the tourist e-visa.

Visa characteristics: - 

• Sticker - Maximum stay duration of up to 90 days in a 180-day period, and available as single, double, or multiple entries. 
• E-visa - Maximum stay duration of 30 days in a 180-day period, available only as single-entry.

Note:- The e-visa type of Turkey tourist visa for Indian citizens will not be valid if your UK, US, Ireland permit is also an e-visa.

The application for the Turkey tourist visa from India can be done in multiple ways.. However, before starting your application, you must check that you are eligible to apply for the touristic permit. You may then proceed as follows - 

At Embassy

1. Visit the website of the Turkish diplomatic mission in India as per the jurisdiction.
2. Start out by filling the online visa application form ( pre-application) available on the website. 
3. If you are eligible for the e visa, you will be redirected to the relevant portal. Else, you can proceed with the application form.
4. Note the reference number you receive on your email. 
5. Proceed to book an appointment at the diplomatic mission as per the jurisdiction. 
6. Download the offline application form and fill it manually. You must mention the purpose of your visit as ‘tourism’.
7. Attend the appointment with the duly signed application form, documents, and the fees.
8. Submit the application and pay the fees at the mission.

At Visa Application Centres (VAC)

1. Visit the website of the embassy outsourced VAC as per the jurisdiction. 
2. Fill out the application form manually with a blue or black ink pen, and in capital letters. Mention the purpose of the visit as ‘tourism’.
3. Contact the call centre of the VAC and proceed to book an appointment for the application submission. 
4. Along with the application form, documents, and the fees, attend the appointment slot.
5. Submit the application and pay the fees at the VAC. 

E visa 

1. If you are eligible, visit the e-visa portal of the Turkish ministry. 
2. Fill in the Turkey visa form with all the required details. 
3. Pay the fees and submit the application.  

Note: - Ensure that you provide true information and genuine documents. Providing fake documents or false information is grounds for visa rejection.

In order to be able to apply for the Turkish permit from India, you must meet the following eligibility conditions - 

• You must be living in India while lodging the application. If you are living on a residence permit in another nation, you will have to apply to the respective authority there.
• You must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry in the country. 
• Your sole purpose of the visit must be to take part in tourism alone. 
• You must possess sufficient funds to support your stay. (50$ per day for e-visa)
• If applying for e-visa - you must possess a valid entry permit or resident permit for Schengen countries, UK, US, or Ireland.

As per the Turkey tourist visa requirements from India, the following are the list of documents you must possess for the tourist visa application. However, note that the documentation requirements may slightly vary based on the mission you are applying to.

• Fully filled and signed application form.
• 2 photos as per the specifications. 
• Travel insurance. 
• Proof of funds such as bank statements. 
• Proof of employment/studies such as employment letter, retirement letter, etc. 
• Round trip flight tickets. 
• Proof of accommodation such as hotel bookings, invitation letter, etc. 
• Proof of ‘intent to return’ such as house agreements, property agreements, etc 
• Covering letter from the applicant.

For E visa - Valid Schengen/UK/US/Ireland visa or residence permit.

As per the Turkey tourist visa photo requirements, the photos to be submitted must meet the following conditions - 

• 35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Thin framed and prescription glasses only
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The time taken to process the Turkey sticker tourist visa is normally around 12 working days. However, this can vary significantly based on multiple factors. It can depend on the volume of applications at the embassy/consulate, the number of entries, your previous travel history, and so on. As a result, you are advised to apply well in advance in order to avoid any complications.

Time taken for the processing of the e-visa is usually within just 48 hours. However, to account for any possible delays, the ministry asks that you must apply at least 2 days in advance.

The fees for the tourist permit is dependant on the number of entries and the foreign exchange rates. The fees for the e visa must be paid in USD. As a result, while making the payment, the amount deducted from your account will vary according to the exchange rates at the moment. For the sticker visa, you may also have to pay additional service charges and delivery charges (if applicable). As a result, ensure that you check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have made the application, it will be processed accordingly. Even if you have applied at the VAC, the application is forwarded to the embassy/consulate for the processing. The VAC has no influence regarding the processing. Once approved, you can collect the passport directly from the mission/VAC or you can have the VAC deliver it to you for an additional charge. The jurisdiction of the Turkish missions in India are as follows - 

• Turkish Embassy in New Delhi - If your state of residence* is Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
• Turkish Consulate in Mumbai - If your state of residence is Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar, Lakshadweep Islands
• Turkish Consulate in Hyderabad - If your state of residence is Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

*   - State of residence refers to the state where you have been residing for the past 6 months. 

If you have applied for the e visa, you will receive a link via your email, on approval. You may then download the permit through the link.

There are multiple ways in which you can check the status of your application depending upon your mode of application. 

Embassy - If you have applied at the embassy/consulate, you can track your application status by clicking here and entering your reference number and passport number. 

VAC - If you have applied at a VAC, you can check the status here. Alternately, you can call or email the VAC to know the status.

You can also contact the travel agency you have applied through, to check the status. 

Once you receive your visa, you must keep in mind the following few points to ensure that you have a hassle-free journey -

Before you travel - 

• Note the validity and number of entries mentioned on your visa. You must not stay in the country beyond this period. You must also follow the entry type given. 
• Carry all your travel documents before you travel to the country. 
• For the Turkey e visa, carry the downloaded e visa as a softcopy or hardcopy.

At the border

• You must show your passport with the visa to the immigration officer. Your entry stamp will be stamped on the passport.
• You may be asked to show the copy of the other documents submitted as part of your application. 
• You may be asked about the basic details of your visit. Ensure that you answer honestly and without any hesitance. 

When you enter Turkey

• While you are on a tourist permit, you cannot take part in any work or business activities.
• You are permitted to extend this visa if you have a good reason. 
• Carry a copy of your passport and visa while you are travelling within the country.
• You must respect the culture and customs of the country, as well as abide by the immigration laws during your stay.