Destination Guides
Turkey

 
assport/Visa
 
Passport/Visa

Yes 4 Yes
Yes 4 Yes
Yes 4 Yes
Yes 4 Yes
1 2/4/5 Yes
Yes 3 Yes

 
Passports

Passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival in Turkey required by all, except the following nationals:
1. Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland, who can enter with a national ID card (which must have a validity of one year).

 
Visas

Required by all except the following:
(a) 2. nationals of EU countries for stays of up to three months (except those listed under notes 4 and 5 below in Sticker-type entry visas;
(b) 3. nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria* (see Note below), Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Iran (providing they have a minimun of US$100 per day while entering Turkey), Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Uruguay and Vatican City for stays of up to three months;
(c) nationals of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic) for stays of up to two months;
(d) nationals of Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Macau (SAR) for stays of up to one month;
(e) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same of first connecting aircraft within 24 hours, provided not leaving the airport and in possession of confirmed onward tickets. If you travel by sea or land via Turkey, you will need a visa. The procedure is the same as for a tourist visa.
Note: (a) Visa exemption for Bulgarians does not apply to those who enter Turkey through certain custom points (contact Consulate for details). Bulgarians must always obtain a visa for transit passages.
Sticker-type entry visas: Tourists and business visitors from the following countries do require visas and can obtain a sticker-type entry visa at the point of entry for a fee. Prices are dependent on nationality (for British nationals, the cost is £10 [£36 if obtained prior to arrival], and for US nationals, the cost is US$45):
(a) 4. Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovak Republic, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and the UK* (see Note below) and USA for stays not exceeding three months;
(b) Albania for stays not exceeding two months;
(b) 5. Greek Cypriot Administrative Region and Romania for stays not exceeding one month;
(c) Georgia for stays not exceeding 15 days (providing they have a minimun of US$50 per day while entering Turkey).
Note: British National Overseas passport holders should contact the visa section of the Consulate General before travelling.

 
Types of visa and cost

Prices vary according to nationality. Tourist (multiple-entry, up to three months): £36. Single transit (up to three months): £27. Study (up to one year): £72. Work (up to one year): £75. Some visas must be obtained in advance. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.

 
Validity

Multiple entry: three months, two years or five years.

 
Application to

Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see see Passport/Visa Information. Applicants must now pre-book an appointment with the relevant Consulate. An online appointment system is available (website: www.turkishconsulate.org.uk/en/visa).

 
Application requirements

(a) Valid passport. (b) One recent passport-size photo. (c) Application form. (d) Latest bank statement and photocopy. (e) Fee (varies for different nationals), payable by postal order, company cheque and cash only. (f) £5 administrative fee. (g) Registered, pre-paid, self-addressed, special delivery envelope if applying by post. (h) Sufficient funds (exact amount required varies according to nationality).
Note: Application requirements may vary according to nationality and type of visa sought.

 
Working days required

Usually three, but dependent on nationality of applicant. Some applications may be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, which may take much longer (minimum six to eight weeks).

 
Temporary residence

Apply to the Turkish Consulate General (see Passport/Visa Information) or to the Turkish Diplomatic Mission in the country of residence.

 
Passport/Visa Information

Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the UK
43 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PA, UK
Tel: (020) 7393 0202.
Website: www.turkishembassylondon.org
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1730.

Turkish Consulate General in the UK
Rutland Lodge, Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BW, UK
Tel: (020) 7591 6900 or (09068) 347 348 (recorded visa information; calls cost 60p per minute).
Website: www.turkishconsulate.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 (visas).

Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the USA
2525 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 612 6700 or 6740 (consular section).
Website: www.turkishembassy.org

 
 
 
ontact Addresses
 
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the UK

43 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PA, UK
Tel: (020) 7393 0202.
Website: www.turkishembassylondon.org
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1730 (appointment only).

 
Turkish Consulate General in the UK

Rutland Lodge, Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BW, UK
Tel: (020) 7591 6900 or (09068) 347 348 (recorded visa information; calls cost 60p per minute).
Website: www.turkishconsulate.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 (visas).

 
Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in the UK

4th Floor, 29-30 St James's Street, London SW1A 1HB, UK
Tel: (020) 7839 7778.
Website: www.gototurkey.co.uk

 
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the USA

2525 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 612 6700 or 6740 (consular section).
Website: www.turkishembassy.org

 
Turkish Tourist Office in the USA

821 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 687 2194.
Website: www.tourismturkey.org

 
 
 
ealth
 
Health

No No
No No
1 N/A
2 N/A

 
1

Outbreaks of typhoid may occur in rural areas.

 
2

Potential malaria risk (exclusively in the benign vivax form) exists from May to the end of October in the Çukorova/Amikova areas and in southeast Anatolia, Adana and Antalya (Side). There is no malaria risk in the main tourist areas in the west and southwest of the country.

 
Food & drink

Mains water is usually chlorinated in larger towns and cities, but should not be assumed to have been so treated: if used for drinking or making ice it should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. If a water source bears the words içilmez, it means that it is not for drinking; sources labelled içilir, içme suyu or içilebilir are safe to drink. Bottled spring water is widely available. Milk is pasteurised. Eat only well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot.

 
Other risks

Hepatitis A, B and C are present. Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, meningitis and TB occur.
The first cases of the human form of avian flu were reported in Turkey in early 2006. See Travel Advice.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix.

 
Health care

Turkey has a large health sector. A great number of Turkish doctors and dentists speak a foreign language, particularly at major hospitals. Private health insurance is recommended; ensure that it covers Asiatic as well as European Turkey.

 
 
 
ublic Holidays
 
Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.
Jan 1 2006 New Year's Day. Jan 9-13 (9th is a half-day holiday for the public sector) Kurban Bayrami (Feast of the Sacrifice). Apr 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day. May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk and Youth and Sports Day. Aug 30 Victory Day. Oct 22-24 (22nd is a half-day holiday for the public sector) Ramazan Bayrami (End of Ramadan). Oct 28-29 (28th is a half-day) Republic Day. 30 Dec 2006-3 Jan 2007 (30th is a half-day holiday for the public sector) Kurban Bayrami (Feast of the Sacrifice).
Jan 1 2007
New Year's Day. Apr 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day. May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk and Youth and Sports Day.

 
Note

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Ramazan Bayrami, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Generally, centres of tourism are unaffected. Some disruption may continue into Ramazan Bayrami itself. Ramazan Bayrami and Kurban Bayrami may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.