My tour operator tells me that I should use a Visa service (PVS International) in advance of arrival in Istanbul, rather than purchasing the Visa right at the airport, as we arrive. They say that buying the Visa at the airport is EXTREMELY time-consuming.
Is this true, or is it a scam to funnel business to these Internet businesses that process the Visa application for you? Apparently the Visa for US citizens costs $20/person in Istanbul, but these services want over $150/person.
We will be going to Turkey next year, so are interested. Turkey visas have veen discussed here often. They are easily obtainable but we have never heard that they take long to get. Even if they do , is the extra money worth it?
Now that I've been poking around on this site, I see mine is a common question, and the consensus seems to be that buying it at the airport when you arrive is no hassle, as long as you have a $20 bill for each visa.
As a U.S. citizen you are not required to obtain a visa for tourism. Upon entering Turkey you will pay a fee of $37 (it used to be $20) at the Passport Control desk. Bring U.S. currency for this. They will put an entry stamp in your passport that allows you to stay in Turkey for 30 days.
When was it increased from $20?
Sorry, I don't know. I found the current fee here: http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/Visa/Visa_Status.aspx
sure enough - thanks!
Interesting. That $37 figure I found must be for a visa processed at an embassy/consul.
Wait! It really is $20 at the Istanbul airport.
Here's the official word, direct from the Turkish Consulate in LA:
AMERICAN PASSPORT HOLDERS:
1- Consular visa processing fee and visa is for $37.- (single entry) or $131.- (multiple entry).
2- Airport visa sticker (preprinted generic type with serial of denominations) is for $20.- in cash U.S. currency and good for 90 days.
Port of entry visa fee chart is available at www.mfa.gov.tr. There is a list of fees and countries eligible to apply upon arrival.
Hakan Yadeli
Visa Section
TURKISH CONSULATE GENERAL
6300 Wilshire Blvd Suite #2010
Los Angeles, CA 90048
When we were in Istanbul last September, the line at the visa window was EXTERMELY short. We waited only about 30 seconds to get to the window. You hand over your passport and $20 US, they put the visa in your passport, and hand it back to you. You then walk about 20 steps to the passport control line. That's it. No need to pay somebody an extravagent amount for this. Just make sure that you get the visa before getting in the passport control line. Otherwise you'll have to exit through the little side gate and go to the visa window, then start all over in the passport line.
