Turkey Visa for Indians

Are you ready to travel around the ancient lands and stunning landscapes of Turkey? To explore Turkey as an Indian citizen, you must have a valid Turkey visa for Indian citizens.

A valid visa allows you to immerse yourself in the country's beauty and culture without any hassle. To obtain a Turkey tourist visa for Indians, you must first buy valid travel insurance for Turkey. It is a mandatory requirement for all Turkey visa applications.

Reliance General offers comprehensive travel insurance for Turkey to secure your trip from unexpected circumstances. That said, let’s look at how you get your Turkey visa from India.

Is Turkey Visa for Indians Mandatory?

Yes, to enter and explore Turkey, you must have a valid Turkey tourist visa for Indians, or other visa categories, depending on your trip’s purpose and duration.

Turkey is one of the best travel destinations in the world, especially for Indians. With its stunning landscapes, modernity and cultural diversity, Turkey welcomes tourists, students, and skilled workforce from all over the world.

You can explore different categories of visa for Indians for Turkey based on your requirements and obtain the same online for a hassle-free and memorable experience.

Is There Any Turkey Visa-On-Arrival for Indians?

No, ​ there is no Turkey visa for Indians on arrival. This service was terminated in 2014, and since then, all Indians who wish to come to Turkey for work, leisure, education, or business need to obtain a valid visa.

Assess which visa is suitable for your travel plans and check the Turkey visa requirements for Indian citizens to obtain the visa in time for your upcoming trip.

Types of Turkey Visas for Indians

For Turkey, visa categories are divided into single and multiple-entry visas for different travel purposes. The common visa options include student, work, tourist, transit and business visas. Let us look at the different visas and the permitted stay duration for each below.

Need for Travel Insurance for a Turkey Visa

It is compulsory to havetravel insurance for Turkey in order to obtain a valid visa and enter the country without any legal obligations. In addition to this visa mandate, insurance for Turkey travel offers comprehensive financial support during unforeseen circumstances.

Here are some benefits of insurance travel to Turkey -

• Compliance with the requirements of a Turkey visa for Indians.
• Financial coverage for medical emergencies when in Turkey with the convenience of cashless hospitalisation.
• Financial support to cover legal and compensatory expenses incurred due to personal liabilities (causing unintentional harm to a third party or property).
• Financial assistance is available for trip delays, flight interruptions, and cancellations.
• Financial and recovery support if you lose your baggage or passport.

Features of Turkey Visa for Indians

• Visa Types- You can choose between single-entry and multiple-entry visa types, each allowing you to stay in Turkey for 30 days per visit. Depending on the type of visa, your visa validity can also be between 6 and 12 months.
• Division of Visa Fees- The Turkey visa cost for Indians charged for any visa category is divided into the base visa fee and the application fee. You must pay the total amount to apply for the necessary visa.
• Mandatory Requirements- You must have a valid passport, travel insurance, proof of round-trip flight bookings, recent photographs and a completed application form.
• Visa Exemptions- Indian citizens with diplomatic passports are exempted from any Turkey visa requirements for Indians for travel of up to 90 days.
• E-Visa Convenience- Indian citizens and passport holders with a resident permit or visa from the USA, UK, Ireland and Schengen countries can apply for an e-visa if they wish to travel to Turkey for tourism. The e-visa allows them to stay in Turkey for a month.
• Visa Overstay Fines- If you stay in Turkey even after your visa expires, you will be liable to pay a hefty penalty. The fine ranges from 100 to 1000 Turkish Liras (around ₹245 to ₹2453) per day. Other consequences include a ban from travelling to Turkey again and deportation.

Who Should Apply for a Visa for Indians for Turkey?

• Short-Term Requirements- Travellers who wish to visit Turkey for short-term purposes such as tourism, family weddings, business conferences, meeting friends, etc., must apply for a Turkey visa for Indians. You can opt for a single or multiple-entry visa as required.
• Long-Term Requirements- Travellers who wish to study, work, or conduct business in Turkey must also apply for a Turkey visa for Indians applicable to their purpose of visit and duration of stay.

Turkey E-Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens: Factors You Must Know When Applying for a Visa

• Passport Validity- To apply for a Turkey tourist visa for Indians, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have two blank pages. The same applies to other Turkey visas, regardless of the type and validity.
• Travel Information- You must submit confirmed flight tickets to and from Turkey to provide proof of your arrival and departure dates. Without this, your travel intention may be questioned, and visa approval may be delayed.
• Accommodation Bookings- You need to submit proof of accommodation bookings or details of where you will be staying in Turkey to obtain a valid visa for Indians for Turkey.
• Travel Insurance Mandate - Regardless of the duration of your stay and the purpose of your Turkey trip, having travel insuranceis a must. It not only ensures maximum financial protection during medical emergencies but also safeguards your journey from unexpected situations like lost baggage, flight cancellations, etc.
• Visa Fee Refunds- Once you pay the visa fees, you cannot get a refund for the same, even if you withdraw your application or your application is rejected. Thus, you must prepare well for your application to increase your chances of approval.
• Turkey Visa Requirements for Indians- The standard documents for the Turkey tourist visa requirements for Indian citizens and all other visa categories are the same. However, to prepare the application properly, you must check for the specific documents required for different visas.
• E-Visa Applications- You cannot apply for an e-visa with an ordinary passport unless you have a valid residence permit or visa from an authorised country such as the USA, UK, Ireland, etc. Remember this when you apply for a visa to avoid paying unnecessary fees for an incorrect visa.

Eligibility Criteria for Turkey Visa for Indians

• You must have a valid passport.
• You must have a travel insurance policy for Turkey.
• You must have the right Turkey visa for Indians.
• Your purpose of visit must be clear.
• You must have an offer letter from a Turkish employer if you want to apply for a work visa.
• To apply for a student visa, you must have an admission letter from a Turkish university, institute or college.
• You must have sufficient funds to cover your entire stay in Turkey.
• You must have a confirmed return ticket and proof of accommodation in Turkey.
• You must comply with all the Turkey visa requirements for Indian citizens.

Turkey Visa Process for Indians

For the General Visa Process for All Visas

• Step 1 - Select the visa category that applies to you.
• Step 2- Book an appointment at the Gateway International website to begin your Turkey visa application.
• Step 3- On the main page, click on “Create Appointment”.
• Step 4- On the next page, select “Schedule Appointment”. You will be redirected to the VFS Global website, where you can choose and book your appointment at the preferred Visa Application Centres.
• Step 5- Next, download the visa application form, fill out the required information and collect the required documents to take to the VAC for your appointment.
• Step 6- Go to the VAC as per the appointment, submit the completed application form and documents, and pay the remaining fee.

Please note that you need to pay half of the visa application fee when you book an appointment and the rest when you arrive at the appointment.

For E-Visa for Specific Eligibility

The e-visa option is only available for Indian passport holders who have a valid visa or residence permit for the USA, UK, Schengen countries, and Ireland. With this visa, you can stay in Turkey for a maximum of 90 days.

• Step 1 - Go to the official website of the Electronic Visa Application Systemof Turkey.
• Step 2- On the main page, select the applicable answers from the dropdown lists.

This includes choosing a visa between an electronic visa and an airport transit visa, selecting India as the country of the document, and choosing an arrival date.

• Step 3- Next, enter the captcha code and select “Save and Continue” to proceed.
• Step 4- Cross-check all the information, select all the applicable eligibility points on the page, and then click on “Save and Continue”.
• Step 5- On the next page, enter all the requested information. You can also add multiple people to one e-visa application.
• Step 6- Finally, pay the Turkey visa for Indians fee and download the payment receipt. Once approved, download your e-visa and take it to the airport when going to Turkey.

Turkey Visa Charges for Indians

Source: Gateway International

*Note: Visa charges for Turkey from India are subject to change at the embassy’s discretion. These fees are as of October 2024. To get the latest information about the fee structure, visit the official website.

Turkey Visa for Indian Documents Required

• Your Indian passport with a validity of at least 6 months and 2 blank pages.
• A duly completed and signed visa application form.
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statements, salary slips, ITR, etc.
• Flight tickets to and from Turkey.
• 2 clear biometric photographs that were taken within the last 6 months.
• Proof of travel insurance for Turkey.
• Letter of appointment and a work permit (for Turkey work permit for Indians).
• A confirmed admission letter from an institute, university or college in Turkey (for a student visa application).
• An invitation letter from a Turkish citizen if you plan to stay with them during your stay on a tourist visa.
• Proof of accommodation bookings.
• Proof of identification - PAN card, Aadhaar card, etc.

Covid-19 Guidelines for Turkey Visa for Indian Passport Holders

COVID-19 is no longer a global pandemic. Thus, Turkey, along with other countries in the world, no longer has any strict guidelines imposed on incoming travellers. Whether you are visiting for tourism, work, business, or education, you do not need to do the following -

• Present a vaccination certificate.
• Present a negative test report for COVID-19.
• Quarantine yourself before entering Turkey.
• Wear masks when exploring the country.

However, it is still advised that you get all your vaccinations done before travelling to Turkey to avoid risking your health.

What is the Turkey Visa Processing Time for Indians?

Source: Gateway International

How to Track Turkey Visa Applications for Indians?

Turkey Visa for Indians: General Applications

• Step 1- Visit the Gateway International website.
• Step 2- Scroll down to “Application Tracking” and click on “Application Inquiry.”
• Step 3 - Add your application tracking number and date of birth in the space provided.
• Step 4- Next, select “Inquire” to view your application status.

Turkey E-Visa for Indian Applications

• Step 1- Visit the official e-visa website.
• Step 2- Click on “Ongoing Application” from the bottom of the page.
• Step 3 - Add your application reference number, passport number, email address, and verification code. Once you have done this, enter the verification code and select “Continue.”
• Step 4- You can now see the application status on the screen.

Common Reasons for Turkey Visa Rejections and How to Avoid Them

Top Reasons for Rejections for Turkey Visa for Indians

• Incomplete or inaccurate information in the visa application form.
• Insufficient funds in your bank account.
• Submission of incorrect documents with your visa application form.
• Applying for a visa very close to your travel dates.
• Not submitting proof of return tickets to India from Turkey.
• Not buying a travel insurance plan.
• Non-payment of the partial visa fee online.

Tips to Avoid Rejection of Your Turkey Visa for Indian Citizens

• Provide accurate information on your visa application form.
• Apply for the right kind of visa.
• Be clear about your purpose for visiting Turkey and the duration of your stay.
• Apply for a visa at least a few months before the final date of departure.
• Maintain sufficient funds in your bank account to support your stay in Turkey.
• Buy a comprehensive travel insurance plan to comply with the Turkey visa requirements for Indian citizens and secure your trip with a financial safety net.
• Collate all the necessary documents applicable to your chosen visa category.

What is the Validity of a Turkey Visa?

Turkey Visa Renewal Process for Indian Citizens

Overstaying beyond the validity of your Turkey visa for Indians is not only illegal, but it also attracts hefty fines and other consequences. Thus, if you wish to stay longer than your visa validity, you must complete a Turkey visa renewal process at least 30 days before your existing visa expires.

Here is how you can do it.

• Gather all your necessary documents.
• Go to the Turkey Immigration office or police station to submit the renewal or extension application for your visa.
• Make the necessary payment and collect the receipt. Wait for the final approval.

Alternatively, you can do the following if your visa expiry date has passed.

• Leave Turkey immediately.
• Apply for a new visa as soon as you get back to India.

Things To Know About Turkey

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Turkey is June to August. It is the official summer season in the country, with warm days and sun-kissed beaches.

It is the perfect time to plan a beach vacation with your friends and family. The best time to visit Turkey is from November to March if you are looking for affordable booking rates with a limited crowd.

Safety Tips

While there are a plethora of sights to see in Turkey and it is a safe tourist destination, you must still be very aware of your surroundings at all times. Moreover, while exploring the vibrant nightlife of Turkey, be careful as bars overcharge during certain hours of the night.

You must guard your food and drinks and never leave them unattended. Keep your belongings close to you to avoid petty crimes.

Must-Try Food

• Doner kebabs
• Baklava
• Pilaf
• Menemen
• Turkish delight
• Durum
• Simit

Emergency Contacts

It is crucial to save Turkey's emergency contact numbers on your phone before embarking on your fun-filled trip. The numbers are -

Public Transportation

Turkey has a well-connected public transportation system that eases locals' and tourists' commutes around the country. Depending on where you are going and your preferences, you can take buses, trains, trams, and ferries to get to your places of interest in Turkey. You can also rent a car for a self-paced experience.

Fun Facts

• Places worth visiting in Turkey includeTroy, the ancient city famous for the Trojan War.
• The currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira.
• There are 30 ethnic languages in Turkey.
• Turkey is 95% in Asia and 5% in Europe.
  
• The national sport of Turkey is Oil Wrestling.

Best Places to Visit in Turkey

FAQs about Turkey Visa for Indians

• What kind of Turkey visa for Indians should I apply for if I want to travel for an internship?

To travel to Turkey for an internship, you need to apply for a student visa. However, to get approval, you must submit an invitation letter from the company where you will be interning.

• What does my 17-year-old child need to submit in addition to the other standard documents for the visa application?

The child must also submit a letter from both parents clearly stating their approval to let the child travel to Turkey for tourism or educational purposes.

• Why is a return ticket important for Indians applying for a Turkish visa?

A return ticket proves your intention to return to India after your visa validity expires. This is a crucial document, as, without it, your intent to leave Turkey after your visa expires is doubtful, often resulting in application delays and rejections.

• What can I submit as proof of accommodation for a Turkey visa?

You can submit hotel booking invoices, Airbnb booking receipts, hostel booking payment slips, or details of the Turkey residents along with an invitation letter if you are staying with a family member or friend.

• What is the processing time for e-visas?

E-visas are usually processed within 1-3 business days. However, you must check whether you meet the specific eligibility criteria for an e-visa before applying.

• Can I apply for a refund if my visa application is rejected?

No, if your visa application is rejected or even if you withdraw it, you cannot request a refund. No visa fees are refundable, regardless of the application decision.

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