I am going on a Cruise from Rome and one of the ports of call is Turkey, I have contacted the Turkish Embassy and they say I DO NOT NEED A VISA, however the cruise line is insisting that I need one should I get off the ship not on one of there tours, any help would be appreciated I hold a Canadian Passport my companion a European one. we are only there for the day
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
If you're Canadian the visa stamp fee is $60, not $20.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
This is a direct quote from the website of the Turkish Embassy, and confirms what they told you: "The passengers of cruise ships are allowed to enter and stay overnight in the port cities of Turkey upon the permission given by local border police authorities. These passengers are not required to obtain an entry visa to Turkey."
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
The good news is that even if you are required to obtain a visa, which is very doubtful for a one-day visit, you don't have to do so in advance. Just take USD $60 cash with you and you can pay for it when you get off the ship at Passport Control. As a Canadian Citizen this is all you are required to do.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
they'll let you in for sure. the worst is to pay $20 or 15euro at custom.
Posted by
Arlington, TX, USA
281 posts
The cost for citizens of the EU depend on the country your companion is from. Some don't pay at all and others do. While I waited in line I heard many complaints as passengers learned of the difference in cost depending on your country of origin. I arrived by air, not cruise ship and they were also insistant that you pay in currency from your country, not Euros and that you have exact change. My last entry was
April 2010.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Patricia, Canadians arriving by air have to pay for a visa on arrival, that is true. Canadians ENDING a cruise in Istanbul need to pay for a visa. Canadians arriving by cruise ship, disembarking just for the day and returning to the cruise ship, NO NOT require a visa. See:
http://www.turkishembassy.com/II/K/visa_requirements.htm The cruise line is not giving you the correct info, the embassy is. IMO the cruise line is being unethical, if they give you the wrong info as a means of pressuring you into buying a tour package from them.