We just spent a beautiful month in Istanbul. The arrival was pretty smooth since Turkey now extends an eVisa facility for Indian passport holders who have any valid visa from the US/UK/Ireland/Schengen states (tourist/work/residence/student/etc).
If you have a valid tourist visa, residence permit, work permit, or permanent residence in any of these countries, you can apply for a Turkey eVisa online and fly right after.
The eVisa for Indians costs 43 USD (plus a $0.70 service fee), allows you a single entry, and you may stay up to 30 days. If you leave Turkey in the 30 day period, you will have to apply and pay for another eVisa before you can re-enter. The eVisa itself is valid for 6 months so if your plans change and you don’t use your single entry, you still have a little time to use it.
Sunny day in Istanbul
The online process is very smooth and the eVisa customer support is pretty impressive. All I had to do was go to the Turkish eVisa website, fill in the application form, fill in the relevant details of my supporting visa (I used my Schengen visa), and pay via credit card. When I reached the payment stage, my internet went off and I wasn’t sure if my payment went through or not. I sent the eVisa support an email and received a response within 10 minutes! Incredible! They said the payment had not gone through on their end so I could resume my application and re-try.
On my second attempt the payment did go through. I instantly received the confirmation via email and attached to it was a PDF with my eVisa. The whole process took about 10 minutes and would’ve taken five minutes if I didn’t have to retry my payment because of my unreliable internet connection.
I took a print out of the eVisa. It does mention that you must have a return/onward ticket, 50 USD/day of expenses, and hotel reservations for your entire stay. Although I carried a bank statement, had an onward ticket printout, and also an AirBNB booking, I was not asked for anything at immigration.
The only question the immigration officer asked me was “Where is the Schengen visa?“. I showed it to him, he stamped an entry stamp on my passport and also stamped the eVisa printout. That was it, I was in Turkey!
I must say that I am impressed with the way the eVisa system works. The website is very well designed and you might almost think that it’s not a government website based on its quality! The customer service was also very quick in responding to my question. I hope a lot more Indian tourists use this route to visit Turkey.
Update 11th Feb 2016 – eVisa rules changed
Unfortunately it looks like the eVisa rules have changed for Indian passport holders. Earlier, you could support your eVisa with any valid OECD country visa or residence permit. So, for example, if you had a visa for Chile, or South Korea, or Mexico, you could use this to get the Turkey eVisa. However, now, you can only use a valid US, UK, Ireland, or Schengen visa as a supporting document to enter Turkey. It seems like the rules have been tightened a little bit but the good news is that if you have any of the above visas you can still visit Turkey by applying for an eVisa.
Great post, and good to know it is so (relatively) easily done. I hope more countries adopt similar procedures :)
I am Indian citizen and returning from Libya via Istanbul. I wish to break my Journey at Istanbul for one day and visit the city. I am not having valid visa for USA , but have valid visa for Canada. Am I eligible for e-visa? I shall be accompanying with my wife. She has also valid visa for Canada.
Each traveller must have a seperate e-Visa, If your flight get delayed by turkish airline then they may offer you complimentary Istanbul 8hrs trip
Thanks a million Ashray, extremely useful post!
Can I ask what type of onward ticket is expected by these authorities/immigration officials? For eg: If Im travelling from India should I have a return ticket to India? Is such a return ticket also an considered as “onward ticket”?
Any ticket leaving the country to a place that you can enter. So a ticket back to India is fine.
Hi
I am Indian and doing job in Iraq my company give me holiday when I come back to join again my work place in meanwhile I want travel any European country but within two months not possible me to apply shechenge visa so how travel any European country without shechenge visa
Any other plan to travel for me I read your article Jordan Indian passport holder not received visa my budget is minimum I spent 30000 thousand Indian rupees and company give me only 30000 rupees airfare I need your help to how I plan travel minimum 10 days trip
Thanx a lot Ashray..
hi
mu dobut is in e visa how to add addtional resident permit/shengan visa
I am Indian national, and I have visa from USA, but it’s stamped on old passport , as I renewed recently.
Am I still eligible to apply evisa
Yes, as long as you carry your old passport with you so that you can show the visa when you arrive in Turkey.
Is it OK o enter Turkey with e-Visa for a business trip ?
And .. do the airlines people in India know about the e-Visa .. as sometimes they refuse to board you if you do not have Visa on your passport.
One more question please – I have US Visa on my old passport and it is valid for next 8 years. But, I have never entered US but have transited from US airports lot of times. Does this make me eligible for e-Visa ?
Yes, the eVisa info page says:
e-Visa is valid for touristic and trade purposes only.
So it looks like a business trip should be fine. Also, the airlines in India DO know about the Turkish eVisa. It’s a very big program and has been running for many years already. The visa database that airlines use to find their info has an entry for Indians:
Holders of normal passports issued to nationals of India holding a visa valid on arrival, issued by Ireland (Rep.), USA or United Kingdom or a Schengen Member State can obtain a visa or an e-visa on arrival, for a max. stay of 1 month. Fee: USD 30.-, EUR 25.- or GBP 20.-. The e-visa can also be obtained online prior to departure at http://www.evisa.gov.tr.
If you have transited the US before then you have entered the US and you will have an entry stamp in your passport. There is no airside transit in the US. Furthermore, there is no requirement to have used the visa prior to your trip to Turkey. Having the visa is good enough. Also, the fact that the visa is on an old passport does not matter. You just need to show the Turkish evisa, US visa, and your passport to the border agent in Turkey when you arrive.
Thanks Ashray .. Your advice will be helpful .. I am getting my e-Visa ..
And from “About us”, looks like you are leading a great life ..and having fun while helping new travelers with advice ..keep it up ..
Hi
Is it necessary to fly by Turkish airline to avail E visa?
No, it’s not necessary.
Hi,
We are from india. Travelling to turkey and greece for touristic purpose. below are the travel details :
- Dec 23 india to istanbul
- dec 26 istanbul to cappadocia
- dec 29 istanbul (SAW) to athens
- dec 31 athens to santorini
- jan 4 athens to istanbul (SAW)
- JAN 5 – istanbul (ataturk) to India.
In the above case we stay in turkey when we arrive for 7 days and again on jan 4 for 1 night.
we have a valid SCHENGEN states multiple entry visa valid from 29.12.16 to 12.02.17.
in this case what is the visa we need to apply for turkey as we enter twice. can we apply single entry e visa both the time we enter ( first entry dec 23 and exit dec 29) (second entry Jan 4 and exit Jan 5) or we should apply for a double transit visa or a multiple entry
You can do the single entry visa but you’ll need to pay for it twice. A multi entry visa at the consulate would probably be cheaper than that but of course the evisa is much more convenient.
Dear Ashray,
We are indians have a valid schengen visa and valid turkey (single entry) e visa but i am travelling first to greece by turkish airlines flight hence the flight is via istanbul, and after greece i am planning to travel around turkey, so please tell me will my evisa be valid when i travel around turkey or will it be utilised during out first day transit in istanbul.
It depends on how your trip is planned. If you are just transiting at Istanbul airport without needing to change airports (Ataturk to Sabiha or vice versa) then you don’t need to use your visa. You can use it when you come back from Greece.
Worst case scenario, you can apply for another evisa when you are in Greece and use it for the 2nd entry if you end up using the first entry on the way to Greece. It’s no problem.
i hold a indian passport and living in australia on a working visa 457 sub-class (temporary resident). i am travelling to turkey next month for a tourism.my travel agent has done a e-visa for my travel.i will be travelling back to australia after my holiday. can you please suggest me if this e-visa would be sufficient for my travel.
Yes, but if you enter Turkey again you will need a new evisa because it is a single entry visa.
Hey Ashray! Great post. I’m an Indian studying in Belgium. I have an Indian passport (Belgian visa expires in March 2017) and a Belgian residence card (valid till end of October 2017). Would I be eligible for an e-visa based on my situation and validity of residence card, specifically?
I am an Indian citizen and I have valid B1 visa of USA vaild till 2020. Will I be eligible to apply for e-visa?
yes I suppose you should be eligible as written by Ashray
Hi Ashray,
Great Website and tons of info for Indian Passport holders. My doubt is that I have to return back from Porto to Bangalore in July 2017. I am planning to fly via turkish airlines as they are offering a free one day tour or hotel accommodation (http://www.istanbulinhours.com). I wanted to know your thoughts on the same whether it is worth?
If you’re asking whether it’s worth it to stay in Istanbul for a day then I’d say actually you should spend more time there. It’s a beautiful city and there is so much to do! The eVisa lets you stay for up to 30 days.
I have a valid mexico visa on my nigerian passport can i get an e visa to turkey with the mexico visa or should i go to the consulate office and apply in my country. Please advice me on what to do.
You will need to get a visa at the consulate.
Hey Awesome People
I have a query. Does this electronic visa portal check if one does have a valid Schengen visa or its just the immigration officers who check it.
Regards
Suhail
The schengen visa is checked at immigration.
Thanks brother. Great informative post.
Hi I have query.
I plan to use the e visa based on my schengen visa.
The visa will be valid the day I enter turkey but the number of days in the Eurozone will be finished (schengen visa approved for 11 days, 11 days stay in Euroozone).
Based on the above will there be a problem entering Turkey on e visa?
Thanx for your help.
Regards,
Nisarg
Shouldn’t be a problem. They care mostly about the validity of the visa.
Sir, my question is , I have a single entry schengen visa from 9th april 17 to 3rd may 17. on 9th april i had booked flight to istanbul to visit my son in law who is working there for short period. on 19th april I will be departing turkey and enter rome (italy) can my single entry schengen visa is helpful in getting turkey e visa online. please reply, it is urgent.
It should be fine. Just get the evisa and go.
i have a valid UAE visa ,can travel turkey from uae
I have a valid UK visa till Aug 2017. I am planning to apply for a Turkey E-visa before the expiry of my UK visa however my travel in Turkey will be later in Nov 2017. It is feasible? Please suggest
Hi there.
I have a US tourist visa and can apply for Turkey visa online. However, I am unable to find any reliable information on visiting Cyprus from Turkey.
Have you been there? If yes, how does it work for non-EU passport holders?
According to the website of Cyprus embassy, visiting South side of Cyprus from the North Cyprus is considered illegal and the person can be arrested/deported. Do I need to have a Schengen visa to visit Cyprus?
Thanks
Hi Asray
I want to ask that I don’t have any Valid Visa from any Schengen countries…Still can I aplly for E visa for tourism purpose
I am a student in Tbilisi, Gerogia. I want to go to turkey for a prometric exam. i hold a Gerorgian residence permit. I don’t have a Schengen visa. What should I do?
hi, i am planning to visit Turkey & currently working in Maldives, can i use that to apply e-visa for Rurkey
What should be the duration to apply for Turkish visa?
I have Schengen visa valid from 12th Nov to 26th Dec 2017. I am planning to come to Turkey with e-visa on 26th October 2017. Will I be permitted to enter Turkey. If not what is to be done. Please advise as I have limited time. Please send the quick reply to my email.
BN Suresh
You should direct your query to the eVisa authorities for Turkey as I don’t know the answer to this question.
Dearest Ashray,
I love reading your blog and it was very helpful while we travelled to Malaysia especially the guidelines for e-visa! Can u plz help me with the procedure for Turkish Visa? I was trilled to see the above post but I don’t have any of the mentioned visas as supporting documents. Your suggestions will be highly appreciated!
Just apply at the consulate for a visa. It’s a fairly straightforward process.
Thanks a ton, Ashray! Happy travelling!
Hello Ashray,
I have Indian Passport and Valid Multiple Entry Schengen Visa. I also have used Single Entry E-visa for Turkey which is till date Mar2018. But I need to travel again to turkey for business purpose. Can I reapply for e-Visa for turkey ? What is the duration to maintain between business trips to turkey ?
There is no stipulated duration that you need to wait. You can apply for a new eVisa and go.
thanks.
I am Indian citizen and returning from Libya via Istanbul. I wish to break my Journey at Istanbul for one day and visit the city. I am not having valid visa for USA , but have valid visa for Canada. Am I eligible for e-visa? I shall be accompanying with my wife. She has also valid visa for Canada.
Hi, I’m a Indian passport holder and currently reside in KSA . I’m planning for Turkey tour . If I don’t have a valid visa from US/UK/Ireland/Schengen states , is it still possible to visit Turkey . If so how to apply for the same
Just apply for a visa at the Turkish consulate.
Hi,
I have indian passport with canadian study permit , will evisa work for me ? or should i get visa from turkish consulate
You should be able to get an evisa. Please ask the eVisa support just to be sure but I think you’re good to go.
I have a valid UK visit visa, and I am planning to take my a hopping flight via Istanbul (Layover time 12 hours). I think I’d be needing a transit/visit visa (single entry only). Can you please tell me if I can get e-visa for the same? And what’s the procedure?
Hi,
Me and my wife is planning to visit Istanbul and we got the e-visa too.
We both have Latvian Temp Resident permit but only i have the bank account in latvia.
I want to know do we both need:
1)Any type of travel insurance ?
2)Bank statement?
or just i will carry my bankstatement that will be enough?
Thanks,
Muzzy
I am an indian citizen holding valid US tourist visa and working in Doha, Qatar. I will be visiting turkey for hair transplant and tourist with my family. am i eligible for e-visa?
will anyone ask me anything at airport while returning from Turkey to Doha?
is it allowed to visit turkey on turist visa plus medical treatment?
Yeah it should be fine. Get an eVisa beforehand.
Hi miss ashray how are u hope u doing well i have a query i have indian passport n i have work permit of Thailand how can i apply visa for turkey plz let me know thx
I have Malaysia work permit i can apply Turkey e visa
I travelled many times Turkey a few years ago and the beautiful memories always inspired me to return back to Turkey for holidays and for shopping in Istanbul.
However this new rule of Shengen Visa or visa for UK US or Ireland has come to me surprise. I live in South Korea as mentioned in the article ” Earlier, you could support your eVisa with any valid OECD country visa or residence permit. So, for example, if you had a visa for Chile, or South Korea, or Mexico, you could use this to get the Turkey eVisa.
Miss Ashray what is your advice for me?
waiting for an early repsonse as i already bought my tickets to Turkey. Seems that i must cancel my tickets.
please reply soon.
Muneer
Hi,
I will be traveling to Turkey and Greece. I will be trqaveling firt to Turkey and then will be there for 7 days and then go to Greece. Will a valid Schengen Visa with valid dates post turkey travel good enough to apply for Turkey eVisa.
Sam
I have a schengen visa starting from 28th March but my arrival date in Turkey is 24th March. Will that be a valid visa since the start date of Schengen visa is in future?
I don’t know. Please ask the eVisa people about this. They should be able to guide you correctly.
Hi Jacob,
I am in a similar situation as you. I travel to Turkey before EU and my schenegen validity starts after 3 days of my entry into Turkey. How did you go about? Did u take an evisa or go to consulate?
Hi varun
My situation as u and Jacob and jasmeen
Entering Turkey first.
Greece schengen visa starts later
Will my turkey e visa be allowed. Or I have a problem to deal with????
Please lemme know
Hello Mr. Jacob . i want to ask you that did you able to travel turkey on same e visa as per your situation. my situation is same like you.
hey!
Thanks so much for the info.I am travelling to istanbul soon and i have few questions?
1.I am staying with a friend.What do I show at the airport as a proof of accomodation
2.Is having a valid medical insurance necessary?
thanks so much
They don’t usually ask for proof of accommodation but if they do you can always say you are staying with your friend and provide the details (address/phone number). A medical insurance is a good idea although I don’t know if it’s mandatory, please check the eVisa rules.
Hi Ashray,
Is there any time limit for application for Turkey e Visa? I mean minimum number of days prior to my travel date to Turkey when I can apply for e visa?
No, usually the eVisa is valid from the date you put in your application. It’s usually instant so can be from the same date that you apply.
I was in Turkey for work twice in a month in late March 2018 to April 2018. Both times I had applied e visa on valid US Visa route(old passport, I carry old and new). Both times I got stuck at passport control and they would ask me for a Turkish resident card or a 2nd passport. :/ They sent me to the police chief and then wait 15 off minutes then he just stamps it and am through. So the 2 nd time I was stuck I asked the police chief as to what the issue is which they themselves don’t know. I didn’t get detained nor did I miss the flight. But the whole procedure adds about 20-30 minutes and stress.
Hi. First of all thank you for such a clear and elaborative description.
Now my question to you is : 1.what should be the duration of the schengen Visa which serves as a base to get this evisa? I mean for example if my scehegen visa is just for 16 days and that too has been used before coming to Turkey? Will it still work ? What do they consider in that scehegen visa is the validity of the visa they look for like you said they just asked you where is your scehegen visa ? I hope I am able to make you understand my point.
To make it more clear let me rephrase it please. I mean lets say I have already consumed/used my schegen visa and then enter Turkey. Is that okay with them ? Will they allow or they will strictly check the validity of my schegen visa first ..
Thanks
Hi Rahul,
It’s absolutely okay if you’ve consumed / used your Schenegen visa before entering Turkey and still use the same Schenegen visa as base for your evisa. What is important is that you need to have a valid Schenegen visa on the day you are entering into Turkey. What that essentially means is that the day you enter Turkey should fall within those 16 days (as per your example) of your Schenegen visa validity. Again, weather you have consumed or not consumed your Schenegen visa is not important. Once you enter Turkey using your evisa (which is based on a valid Schenegen on the date of entry), the validity of your eVisa takes over and that would be considered at the time of your exit / duration of stay in Turkey.
Hope my comment helps!
Hi Ashray,
Please ignore my former comment.
I have a small doubt. I have a resident permit from Germany valid until end of October, 2018 and I plan to visit Turkey in mid of sept. 2018 for 10 days. Now I read somewhere that the travel document should be valid for atleast 6 months from the time i enter. Now I am not sure what does travel document means, is it passport or resident permit? If its passport then m secured but if it means resident permit then it might be a prolem right?
Do you have any idea about this?
I did tried connecting with helpline service of e-visa and they said if the e-visa portal accepts everything then there should not be any problem.
Hope you have any idea on this. I just want to be sure about this confusion.
As I understand travel document means your passport. The visa is just a supporting document in this case.
Great post. I have a small doubt.
I am planning to visit Turkey next month.Would like to know that I have H1B valid till 31/12/2018 but I quit working in US and currently staying in Dubai. Can I apply for e-visa based on my current status?
Yeah that should be fine.
Hi
Im an Indian Passport holder (oridinary/regular passport)
I do not have any work permit of US/Canada or any visa for schengen or any country.
Can i not get a stamp visa to tour Turkey ? ( I dont think evisa is something i can explore as i dont have a “supporting valid document”)
HOw do i get a conventional visa to Turkey from India? (not evisa not ivisa)
You’ll have to apply at the Turkish embassy in India.
Hi, I have a valid single entry Schengen visa from 17-10-2018 to 16-11-2018, I would be traveling from Mumbai to Istanbul on 19-10-2018, I will stay in Istanbul for 3 days and will leave for Europe on 22-10-2018, I will return back to Istanbul on 27-10-2018 again and will stay until 31-10-2018.
how shall I apply for multiple e-visa, or is it possible that I take 2 different single entry e-visa? Thank you
You’ll have to get two different single entry e-visas.
i have applied my e-visa through https://www.travelstoturkey.com/
is it a fake website? what do i do?
Hi,
I have an F1 Visa (USA) , I am planning to visit Turkey for hair Transplant. Can i apply for Evisa to enter into Turkey.
What all are the documents required in immigration at Turkey ?
Yeah you should be able to get an e-Visa. No other documents required as such but have your return ticket handy or proof of funds.
Hi guys, iam an Indian passport holder and have EU residence permit. I travelled to Turkey (with e-visa) from Germany last month for 30 days.
Is it possible to get an e-visa again from India and travel India to turkey for 30 days again in December?
My doubt is “I will be getting e-visa from India this time and travelling from India to turkey though I have already utilised my 30 days period in Turkey, can I visit again with new e-visa?”
Yes, you can.
how to apply for turkey visa i dont have any any country as describe do i need to apply through embassy?
hello i am travelling to turkey on 20th November but my Schengen visa starting from 22nd November so i want to ask am i Eligible for Evisa or not?
Sir I have a valid us visa and I took the E Visa Is it necessary that we should fly turkish airlines flight or any oter airliner possible .could you just clear my doubt sir .
Hi this blog is amazing! My query is I have a valid UK tourist visa(purpose is my exam) but after my exam I intend to visit Turkey for 13 days, I am eligible for an e-visa, but while re-entry to UK from Turkey will be an immigration issue? As my main purpose of visiting UK will be served! Please guide me it’s urgent!! I am gonna meet my boyfriend after 7 years in Turkey! Please!!
Hi Ashray, I am from India and I have valid USA B1 B2 Visa. Can I get e-visa for Turkey?
I am travelling to Turkey. Will stay for 3 days and then go to Greece and then back to Turkey for another 3 days. Can I apply the e-visa twice within the same month?
Also if yes, can I apply both the e-visas before I travel OR should I apply one now and then second e-visa after I leave Turkey to Greece.