Turkey Transit Visa: How to Seek Your Transit Visa Online

The Turkey Transit Visa is a required permit for all travelers who need to pass through Turkish immigration or stay overnight while connecting to another country. This visa allows travelers to legally transit through Turkey en route to their onward or final destination.

Need a visa in case of a layover in Turkey?

If you plan to transit through Turkey en route to your destination, you must apply for a visa for your layover, even if you only pass through immigration or stay overnight. In general, travelers who require a Turkey visa for tourism or other visits also need one for transit. Depending on your nationality, you may need a Turkish e-visa or sticker visa to transit Turkey. However, some travelers can transit Turkey visa-free if they qualify for an exemption, even if their nationality typically requires a visa.

The process to Apply for Turkey Transit Visa

To apply for a Turkey transit visa, you must complete the following procedures as per the below-mentioned points for ease of understanding:

• Determine which Turkish Transit Visa you need.
• Check the application timeline to apply at the right time.
• Identify where to submit your visa application.
• Complete the online application form through the Turkish Pre-Application System.
• Gather the required documents to include with your Turkey Transit Visa application.
• Attend the visa interview for your Turkey Transit Visa.
• Carefully complete each step of the application process according to the provided instructions and criteria.
• Details on the full application process for a Turkey transit visa are provided below.

Which visa should you apply for?

To transit through Turkey, you may need to obtain a visa depending on your nationality. Two options are available: an e-visa (e-visa single entry or multiple entry), which has a simple, fast, and inexpensive application process detailed later in this article; or a sticker visa, which requires submitting documents, attending an interview, and paying a fee. Sticker visas come in single-transit or double-transit versions.

The Best Time to Apply for a Turkey transit visa

Just as in case of a single entry visa for turkey or multiple entry visa for turkey, to understand the optimal time to apply for a Turkey transit visa, note that the earliest you can apply is two months before your trip, while the least is one month before. You should apply as soon as possible you can to avoid delays in processing by the concerned departments. You can seek assistance from the Turkish embassy, consulate, or third-party visa center in your country of residence to find out exactly where to submit your visa application.

Submission of Form at the Turkey Visa Pre-Application Portal

The first step when applying for a Turkish transit visa, the first step is completing the online application form on the Turkish Visa pre-application system. The form asks for your identity, nationality, and travel details. Be sure to answer each question accurately. After submitting the form, you will receive an appointment date and time for a visa interview that you must attend.

Document Requirements for a Turkey Transit Visa

When applying for a Turkish transit visa, you must bring certain documents to your interview at the Turkish embassy. Make sure they meet the visa requirements as per the norms laid out by the authorities in Turkey. The required documents include:

• A completed visa application form
• Turkey Visa Letter of introduction
• A valid passport
• Two passport photos
• Proof of travel insurance
• Proof of income or savings
• Documentation of your occupational status

Your passport must have a validity of six months beyond the date you enter Turkey. The photos must meet Turkish visa photo requirements. You should be able to prove you have adequate funds, around €50 per day, for your time in Turkey and onward travel, the applicant must show proof of purchased travel medical insurance valid for the entire trip in case of any emergency.

You must also provide an onward ticket showing your planned flight from Turkey to your destination country. You might also be asked to present a visa for your final destination country if required for entry. In addition to these  documents having the documentation of accommodation arrangements in Turkey, such as a hotel confirmation or invitation letter, will help obtaining the visa quickly. Also, make sure to submit a police clearance certificate verifying no criminal record.

Another key point is that depending on the nationality of the applicant, additional documents could be requested for submission for this purpose.

Interview Process of a Turkish Transit Visa

You must attend an interview on the scheduled date and time to obtain a transit visa for traveling through Turkey. Bring all required documents to the interview, where the officer will have queries about your trip.

Time Taken to Obtain a Transit Visa for Turkey

The Turkish embassy in your country is responsible for your visa application and should need approximately 15 working days to give out the visas. However, processing time may be as short as three working days, depending on the severity and load of work in various nations. Also, you can get the active status at your respective locations.

Process for Applying for a Turkish e-Visa

If you qualify for a Turkish e-Visa, you can bypass the lengthy process of obtaining a traditional visa sticker by instead applying online for an e-Visa, which allows transit through Turkey. To apply, complete the online form at the Turkish e-Visa website. Within minutes, you should receive the confirmation email (check spam folders) to continue the application. Confirm and pay the fee, then download your e-Visa. Print it to present upon entering Turkey.

Criteria for Transiting via Different Airports in Turkey

If you would need a Turkish visa to visit Turkey, you will also need a Turkey transit visa to pass through Istanbul Ataturk Airport on the European side or Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side when traveling to your destination country. This transit visa, officially called a Turkey transit visa, is commonly known as an Istanbul transit visa among travelers transiting through Istanbul.

Summary

With the end of the pandemic and the world opening its door again for hospitality and other avenues, the norms of obtaining respective visas have again become a prime factor when any one is planning to visit another country. This blog features the key points that will be helpful for the user. Whether it is a query related to a Turkey transit visa online, or how to get a Turkey visa on arrival or which Turkey transit visa documents are needed, you will get every issue resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is a visa required during a layover in Turkey?

A Turkish sticker visa or e-visa may be required to transit Turkey resting on the candidate’s nationality.

Q2. What is the validity of Turkish transit visa?

In case of a Turkey transit visa its validity rests on the transit’s type and purpose. It is generally given for a short duration, from few hours up to few days.

Q3. Is a transit visa needed if one stays in the airport?

As per Turkey airport regulations, should one stay within the airport’s international transit area and do not go via the immigration control, a transit visa may not be required. But should one exit the airport at the time of the layover, a transit visa is required.

Q4. Can one apply for transit visa in Turkey on arrival?

In the majority of the cases, visa on arrival services are not offered in Turkey for transit purposes. It is highly suggestive for travelers in getting a transit visa much prior to their trip to prevent issues after arrival.

Q5. What is the time to process transit visa in Turkey?

The processing time differs resting on the total applications, thus apply in advance for ample processing time.

Q6. What are the documents required for Turkey transit visa?

• Complete visa application form
• Letter of introduction
• Valid passport
•  2 passport photographs
•  Travel insurance
• Financial validation
• Documentation of occupational status

Q7. What if my Turkey transit visa is denied?

If the transit visa is denied, review the denial causes carefully. You may appeal the choice or reapply for the same with extra supporting documentation.

Q8. Can I study or work with a transit visa in Turkey?

No, a Turkey transit visa is not valid for study or employment purposes.