Comparing Turkey's Electronic and Sticker Visas

Prior to arranging your trip to Turkey, it's important to familiarise yourself with the specific visa you'll need. Turkey offers two types of visas: the sticker visa and the e-visa. The specific category of Turkey visa you should apply for hinges on both your intended purpose of visit and your nationality. To determine the appropriate visa for your situation, you can conveniently conduct an online assessment.

Obtaining the e-visa involves completing the Turkey visa form online and making payment via debit or credit card. On the other hand, the sticker visa demands sending your passport to the Turkish embassy, where an embassy staff member will affix the visa to your passport. While the e-visa can be acquired closer to your travel date, acquiring a sticker visa will necessitate a longer timeframe. Sufficient time is required to secure an appointment, visit the embassy for passport submission and collection.

Defining Turkey's Electronic Visa

The Turkey e-visa serves as an alternative to the sticker visa and is a prerequisite for individuals visiting Turkey. Both the e-visa and sticker visa serve the same purpose and are issued by the Turkish immigration authorities. As Turkey is not a participant in the Schengen Agreement, the entry prerequisites differ for various nationalities visiting different countries.

Nevertheless, certain countries have established agreements with Turkey, enabling their citizens to travel in and out of Turkey without the necessity of an e-visa. Prior to submitting an application for a Turkey e-visa, it is advisable to verify online whether your country benefits from an exemption regarding visa requirements.

Explaining Turkey's Electronic e-Visa

Even though the e-visa procedure for Turkey is notably simpler and quicker, it entails additional prerequisites compared to the sticker visa counterpart. It's important to verify your eligibility for the e-visa by reviewing the requirements prior to initiating the online application. 

Once you ascertain that you fulfil all stipulations and your country qualifies for a Turkey e-visa, you can promptly apply by completing theonlineTurkey eVisa application form. The online application process is brief, taking just a few minutes, and the e-visa is typically issued within 30 minutes. The website primarily refers to the e-visa, unless specifically indicating the issuance of a sticker visa.

Benefits of applying for a Turkish e-Visa

Applying for a Turkish e-Visa offers numerous benefits. It streamlines the application process by allowing you to apply online, saving time and effort. The approval is swift, often taking just minutes, making it ideal for last-minute travel plans. The convenience extends to the payment process, which can be completed using various online methods. Additionally, the e-Visa is usually more cost-effective than a traditional sticker visa due to reduced administrative steps. This digital visa also eliminates the need to visit a consulate or stand in queues, offering a seamless and efficient way to obtain entry permission for your visit to Turkey.

• Easily Obtained

Applying for an e-visa is a straightforward process, achievable by submitting an online application. You only need to accurately complete the online form and make the required payment electronically. Payment options include MasterCard, Visa, PayPal, or American Express. The process is so convenient that it can be completed promptly. There's no need to endure queues at a counter or visit a Turkish consulate. As long as you have internet access, it can be accomplished within minutes.

• Cost-Effective

The e-visa is more economical compared to a sticker visa due to the elimination of extra service steps and associated charges. The specific cost of Turkey e-visa varies based on nationality. 

• Rapid Processing

Opting for an urgent Turkey e-visa can result in approval within 30 minutes. You can conveniently apply just a few hours before your departure and secure the visa shortly before your journey. In contrast, the sticker visa process is time-consuming since it involves physical steps, including sending your passport to the consulate, leading to prolonged waiting periods. To secure a sticker visa, you need to plan weeks in advance of your departure date.

Process for Obtaining a Turkey Electronic Visa

For a swift acquisition of a Turkey e-visa, adhere to the subsequent instructions:

Thoroughly complete the online application form, ensuring its accuracy to avoid any disruptions in the application process.

• Utilise a MasterCard, Visa, PayPal, or American Express to execute the payment.
• Anticipate the arrival of a confirmation email, typically received within a few minutes.
• Generate a hard copy of the received email and employ the printout when visiting Turkey.

eVisa Duration for All Applicants

The cumulative duration of stay in Turkey for all applicants cannot exceed 30 or 90 days, within a 180-day period following visa issuance. This condition applies to all foreign visitors with specific purposes for their Turkey visit.

For comprehensive visa application information, ascertain whether your passport qualifies for an e-Visa. If it doesn't, pursuing a sticker visa becomes the sole alternative.

Understanding the Sticker Visa

A sticker visa is a conventional visa that an official at the Turkish consulate affixes to your passport. This method entails a lengthier processing time and higher costs compared to an e-visa. The application process includes an interview, making it more time-consuming. Opt for a sticker visa only if you do not meet the e-visa eligibility criteria.

Who Needs to Apply?

Certain scenarios warrant applying for a regular sticker visa. If you are unable to fulfil all e-visa requirements or intend to prolong your stay beyond the e-visa's validity, a sticker visa application might be necessary. Generally, the primary determinant is your nationality, which must be eligible for a Turkey e-visa. When desiring to extend your stay in Turkey, consult the consulate for guidance on obtaining a sticker visa.

Applying for the Turkey Sticker Visa

The embassy facilitates the dissemination of visa application tracking details in the case of a sticker visa. The embassy advises all applicants to obtain updates about their application status from the visa handling companies.

• Crucial Guidelines

Regardless of whether the applicant has requested a business, student, tourist, research, work, sports, internship, or montage visa, the subsequent information pertains to all. Upon receiving the sticker visa, it is essential to verify the following:

In the event of any informational discrepancies on the sticker visa, contact the same visa application centre where the initial application was made. The centre will facilitate the correction process by forwarding the passport to the embassy, potentially incurring additional fees based on the error's source.

Visa processing times for Maldivian, Nepalese, Indian, and Bhutanese nationals are relatively short. Indian visa centres (except the Delhi VAC) can issue visas within four working days.

During peak tourist seasons, an extra five working days may be added to the processing duration for each country's applications.

Denied Applications

Certain conditions allow the Turkish embassy and consulate to reject visa applications. They retain the right to refuse applications without providing an explanation. Hence, it is imperative to ensure that all requirements are met and valid documents are submitted during the visa application process. Application fees will not be refunded if the application is declined.

Here are the most prevalent reasons for visa rejection:

• Missing documents.
• Submission of unreliable documents lacking official stamps.
• Unattested copies of original documents.
• Presentation of counterfeit documents.
• Non-clearance by Turkish internal authorities.
• Rejection following assessment by the Turkish embassy.
• In case of application rejection, you have the option to reapply without a waiting period. The subsequent application will be considered anew, necessitating the payment of fees again.

The embassy might request additional documents contingent upon the visa type and intended duration. In certain scenarios, applicants could be summoned for an interview.

Documents Needed for Tourist Visa

When applying for a tourist visa, applicants must provide the following documents:

• A manually filled application form completed in capital letters using black or blue ink. The form should be signed by the applicant and accompanied by one photograph.

• A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended stay in Turkey. The passport's issue date should be within the last 10 years.

• Two original passport-size photographs taken within the last six months, featuring a clear view of the full face, ears, and hair against a white background, with no shadows.

• An official letter from the employer on the company's letterhead granting leave for the travel period. For self-employed individuals, a similar letter stating leave is required, printed on official company letterhead.

• Valid travel insurance covering the entire duration of the stay.

• Confirmed round-trip flight tickets.

• A confirmed hotel reservation, provided via letter or email.

• Bank statements from the last three months for both personal and salaried accounts, attested by the respective banks if they are copies. Original statements need not be attested.

• Salary slips from the last three months for employed individuals, along with Form 16.

• If funds are insufficient in the applicant's bank account, a notarized letter from the sponsor is required.

• A consent letter, duly signed by both parents, for minor applicants. This applies even if the parents are accompanying the minor.

• If a foreign resident in Turkey is inviting someone, a written invitation with the ID card copy, passport number, and bank account details of the inviter is necessary.

• For couples without relationship status mentioned in their passports, an attested Marriage Certificate is needed.

• For applications made through an agent, an authorization letter from the applicant is mandatory.

• A copy of the passport's first and last pages.

Documents Required for Business Visa

For a Business Visa, applicants must provide the following documents:

• The original invitation letter from Turkey, including the applicant's full name and passport number.

• Details of the business purpose for the trip, sent from the applicant's home country.

• Bank statements from the last three months for both personal and salaried accounts, attested by the respective banks if they are copies. Original statements need not be attested.

• Salary slips from the last three months for employed individuals, along with Form 16.

• If funds are insufficient in the applicant's bank account, a notarized letter from the sponsor is required.

• A copy of the passport's first and last pages.

• A notarized copy of a recommendation or registration letter from relevant authorities such as the Chamber of Commerce.

These documents ensure successful application for tourist, business, and medical visas.

Some FAQs About Turkish e-Visas: