Documentation can be a huge worry when planning a holiday, and the addition of new document requirements related to Covid-19 certainly hasn’t made the process any easier.
There’s nothing worse for holidayers than having to travel back and complete your documents after having prepared and booked everything. But don’t fret; entering Turkey is still very easy for citizens of most countries. This guide will outline some steps you can take to kick-start your holiday with peace of mind.
Do I need a Visa to Enter Turkey?
In most cases, no.
Traditionally, you’d have to travel or contact the Turkish embassy within your country to get a visa, which could take up to months and require endless back and forth correspondence. Thankfully, British citizens can travel and stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within any 180 days without a visa.
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It is essential that you conclude your stay before the 90 days are complete because staying past this period may result in blacklisting, deportation, and etc. But for those planning more extended trips, it is possible to extend the duration of your stay.
If you’re planning to stay for longer than 90 days, you need to either apply for a visa before traveling to Turkey or acquire a residence permit from the local authorities in Turkey while still in the 90-day period.
One more thing to keep in mind is that you need to have a valid passport with at least 150 days remaining. So while you don’t require a visa, you still need to make sure to have enough days on your passport to gain entry. Moreover, if you travel a lot, you might also wanna make sure that you have blank pages left in your passport for the immigration officer to stamp.
Covid-19 and Health Documents
It is crucial to get the necessary information about documentation from government sources, so double-check all information you receive online with them. In addition, there are a lot of services that provide unnecessary documentation for money, so please check the necessity of all documents with a Turkish diplomatic mission in your country.
As of now, all visitors coming into Turkey from the UK are required to complete the online form (Form for Entry to Turkey), a maximum of 72 hours before travelling, to enter Turkey if aged 6 and over. This is not necessary for transit passengers.
Keep in mind that you can fill in and complete this form even if you’re unvaccinated. Still, if that’s the case, you will also have to submit a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours when entering. The information you need to complete this form:
Full name, age, and nationality
Contact information
Date of arrival and departure
Yes/no whether you’re experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms.
Applying for an e-Visa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also launched an e-visa application system back in 2013 that you can use to double-check your visa requirements or obtain an e-visa if applicable. E-visas provide a more straightforward way to enter Turkey from countries outside of the visa exemption.
Your e-visa will be valid for 180 days. You can enter Turkey anytime you wish within this period, so if there are any delays or you find a better hotel deal, you can defer your entry without issues with your visa. For families and groups, keep in mind that these visas are only valid for the individual they’re issued to, so all family members need to apply separately for e-visas.
You must also conclude your visit before the 180 days are completed. For those planning longer stay durations, take care to stay in contact with your travel advisor or a Turkish diplomatic mission in your country. These ordeals may seem daunting at first, but don’t worry; extending your stay duration is usually incredibly straightforward.
Turkish Missions in the UK:
Address: 43 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PA, United Kingdom
Turkish Consulate in London
Address: Rutland Lodge, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1BW, United Kingdom
Turkish Consulate in Edinburgh
Address: 39 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7SW, United Kingdom
Returning to the UK.
Luckily, returning to the UK from Turkey is pretty simple. With Covid-19 on the decrease, the British government has removed the red alert on Turkey, which means you won’t have to have a PCR test or quarantine yourself.
Even if you’re unvaccinated, you can return to the UK without filling in any health forms. However, keep in mind that most airports are still very strict about travel regulations, so keep a facemask at hand.