Turkey Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Nationals of Schengen countries, the UK, Ireland, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and several Balkan states may enter Turkey without a visa for tourism or business.
Days add up across multiple visits. Overstay fines are collected the moment you leave.
Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, China, India, Mexico, South Africa and around 50 other countries must obtain an eVisa before arrival.
Cost: Mid-range government fee plus small service charge. Payment by Mastercard, Visa or UnionPay.
eVisa validity starts from the date you request, not the day you enter, do not apply months in advance.
Passport holders of countries not eligible for eVisa must apply in person at a Turkish embassy or consulate.
Hotel-paid vouchers or fully-refundable flight tickets are accepted if plans change after approval.
Arrival Process
Arrival procedures are the same at every Turkish international terminal. Allow 30, 60 minutes from aircraft door to baggage hall when your papers are in order.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Turkey allows duty-free import within generous limits. Anything above must be declared and duty paid at the red channel.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and cannabis products, even with foreign prescription
- Obscene material contrary to Turkish family values
- Explosives, fireworks, and pepper spray
Restricted Items
- Medication containing tramadol or codeine, carry prescription translated into English or Turkish and limit to personal use quantities
Health Requirements
Turkey does not enforce COVID-19 testing or vaccination for entry. But general vaccination rules from pre-pandemic times still apply to travelers arriving from certain countries.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow-fever certificate if arriving within 6 days from an endemic country (e.g., parts of Africa, South America)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid for rural southeastern travel
- Routine boosters (MMR, DPT)
Health Insurance
Not mandatory for short stays. But hospital deposits are requested up-front; Turkey travel insurance with medical evacuation is strongly advised.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
If child travels with one parent or non-parent guardian, carry notarised consent letter from absent parent(s) and child's birth certificate. Turkish airlines and immigration officers request this at check-in and arrival.
Dogs and cats need EU pet passport or third-country health certificate, rabies vaccination at least 30 days old but not older than one year, and microchip. Entry permitted only through designated border inspection posts, call Veterinary Border Gate in advance.
Tourist residence permit (ikamet tezkeresi) must be applied for online (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr) within 60 days of visa expiry. Appointments book fast in Istanbul and Ankara, so schedule early. Maximum total stay on tourist permits is two years, after which a 180-day out-of-country cooling-off period applies.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
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