My friend and I are going to Europe from the end of August to the end of September, and she asked me for some help with the Turkish visa process (we split up the jobs and one of hers was the visas) because when she tries looking them up, she says it takes her to websites that look “less than reputable.”
I told her the people on this forum always had good info and it will help us from making a silly or even stupid mistake with our visas. What website would you guys use, or actually have used?
Go to ( and only go to ) www.evisa.gov.tr. It’s the Turkish government’s official site. Any other website will charge you more. The visa costs US$50 plus a $1.50 processing fee.
Even though it’s a digital visa, be sure to print out a paper copy and put it in your passport. When I arrived at Istanbul’s IST Airport, the Immigration officer asked me for my visa copy. Even though he should have had access to it on his computer screen, he wanted me to present him with a copy.
When I traveled to Turkey many years ago I received my visa upon arrival. Things have changed considerably so I don’t know if that remains an option.
The US Embassy in Turkey recommends a site.
https://tr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/u-s-citizen-services-faqs/
Many years ago you went through Ataturk Airport. That Airport has been closed permanently and three years ago was replaced by an enormous new airport called Istanbul Airport ( IST) Visa on-arrival reportedly exists as an option at the airport, although I saw no signage indicating where it was located. Unless, after a transatlantic flight with jet lag, you want to go through the enormous new IST airport in Istanbul where signage is challenging and you have to walk forever to get to baggage claim, then walk forever to get to Immigration and where I saw no signs for Visa-on-Arrival—- anyone will wish they had gotten the e-visa so they can get on with their journey.
Ditto everything that Kenko says.
Go to the official Turkish government site at www.evisa.gov.tr.
I think it's still technically possible to get a visa at the airport, but they discourage it. It's much easier to get it online.
Just make sure that the website is secure: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
I'm trying to get to the official website to apply for the visa, but it just won't load. I've tried it for a couple of days now. Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice?
Kate
Any advice?
Kate, try it again, it worked for me today. https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. You may have to input the code shown to show you're a human and not a bot.
Thanks, I'll keep trying.
Kate
You might also try a different browser. I just tried it in Firefox (slow) and MS Edge (not quite as slow.)
I could only get it to work with my desktop; not iPhone or iPad. 🤷♀️
Mary Lou, I think my tour partner also had trouble with the Turkish VISA site on her iPad, but I didn't put it together until you said something. So thanks for that insight.
Dear fghlik2015,
I just visited the Turkish Embassy's Website for visa. For U.S. travelers to Turkey they advertise the cost at $20 via e-visa, $30 at the airport. Yes the other repliers are correct only use the official embassies website for your application...https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/.
e-Visa fee varies according to country of travel document and type of travel document. Please, click “Apply” button on the homepage and select your country of travel document to find out the e-Visa fee that you are required to pay.
( from the FAQ at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/info/ )
When one selects " USA-- Ordinary Passport " the fee shown is $50USD
( https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/apply/ )
No idea where the previous poster found a $20 fee
When one selects " USA-- Ordinary Passport " the fee shown is $50USD (
https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/apply/ ) No idea where the previous poster
found a $20 fee
It used to be $20, but they raised the price to $50 a few years ago.
I just got my e-visa. Confusing things occurred though during the payment process. I used the official link from the Turkish Embassy www.evisa.gov.tr. as mentioned in the travel forum. I filled out all the necessary information required for the visa, selected the submit button. Then used the link they send you in an e-mail (to verify the e-mail address)...so I could continue the payment process. I used a visa card to pay and it errored off. I called the credit card company to verify charges, and none were charged. I did get verification of the visa through e-mail though. Perhaps there is a delay in the transaction.
I am adding this tip in several places for visibility, posted originally in my 3 Weeks in Turkey trip report:
Tip for Getting Your eVISA to Turkey
The Turkish eVISA is good for 180 days: you can enter Turkey any time during that window and cannot stay beyond it. My suggestion when you apply for your eVISA (especially for those going on the Rick Steves tours) is to set your earliest entry date to be 2 or 3 days prior to your existing flight. If your flight is changed/cancelled and you need to reschedule, you can book a flight a day or two earlier and still arrive in time for your tour. Your eVISA will be valid and you won't have to apply for a new one for a matter of arriving 1 or 2 days earlier.
CWsocial - great advice. Thank you for posting this. Turkey is on my wish list, so I’m saving this along with your other Turkey posts.
