Turkey Travel and Entry Requirements
Turkey Entry Requirements are the set of rules and regulations specifying what is needed for hassle-free entry to Turkey. These requirements also determine the documentation necessary to obtain before the intended trip.
Among the most essential documents that the majority of travelers must have to enter Turkey are a valid passport and a visa.
The visa policy of Turkey states what types of visas are required for certain nationalities. The Turkish Government enables getting a visa permit entirely online for citizens of several countries. Nevertheless, a number of other nationalities may enter Turkey visa-free for short periods related to business or tourism.
Please note that visiting Turkey for longer stays or purposes requires getting a relevant visa from the Turkish Embassy in person. There are a few visa types that must be obtained directly at the diplomatic mission, including a student visa or work visa.
Turkey remains open to international travelers regardless of their vaccination status. Nevertheless, they still need to meet certain travel entry requirements and additional conditions to enter the country without any issues.
Apart from a valid passport and visa (regular or electronic visa), travelers may need some additional documents introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of such additional documents introduced due to the pandemic is the Turkish Entrance Form.
Passengers arriving in Turkey should familiarize themselves with the recent update on travel advisories and entry rules. These are subject to rapid changes due to the evolving coronavirus situation worldwide.
Documents check-list for entering Turkey
Every traveler aged 12 and over needs to provide one of the following:
- a negative antigen rapid test (taken within 48 hours of arrival)
- a negative PCR testresult (taken within 72 hours of arrival)
- a recovery certificate (issued no earlier than within the last 6 months)
- a full vaccination certificate (confirming that the final dose has been received at least 14 days prior to arrival)
All travelers aged 6 and more will also need to complete:
You may also need to have:
- a Turkey regular visa or eVisa (depending on the eligibility)
- travel insurance including COVID-19 coverage
Turkey eVisa
Applicants from eligible countries can simply apply for the Turkish eVisa with a valid passport, filling out the short application form from the comfort of their home.
Travelers can obtain either a 30- day stay single entry visa, or a 90-day stay multiple entry visa, depending on the nationality. Bot single and multiple entry electronic visas are issued for 90 days.
Turkish eVisa application needs to be submitted at least 3 business days in advance of the planned trip. eVisa holder must enter Turkey within one month from the eVisa issuance date and no later than 3 months after the visa was issued.
One of the most essential requirements for an electronic visa to Turkey is to have a passport valid for no less than 6 months from the date of the planned arrival in Turkey.
Form for Entry to Turkey
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2021, the Turkish authorities implemented an additional document to have in order to enter Turkey - the PLF Form for Entry to Turkey.
Application for the Turkish Form of Entrance must be submitted within 72 hours of the intended departure.
Every applicant will receive the individual HES code which is essential not only for crossing the Turkish borders but also for accessing various tourist attractions within Turkey.
Testing, vaccination, and quarantine requirements
Testing Travel Requirements
Foreign arrivals are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the territory of Turkey. As an alternative to the coronavirus vaccine certificate, they can provide either:
- a negative antigen rapid test (performed within 48 hours before arrival)
- a negative PCR test report (performed within 72 hours before arrival)
- a recovery certificate (issued no earlier than within the last 6 months)
The test requirement applies to all travelers aged 12 and over.
Travelers who have been to certain high-risk countries within the last 14 days are required to provide a negative PCR test report, rapid test is not accepted.
Fully vaccinated travelers or those who have recovered from COVID-19 are exempt from the test requirement upon providing either a vaccination or recovery certificate.
All arrivals to Turkey need to be prepared for random PCR testing performed at the Turkish airports. Passengers are allowed to continue their trip after being tested negative against COVID-19. Those tested positive must undergo a 14-day quarantine, which can be terminated on the 10th day upon the negative test result.
Vaccination Requirements
According to the current entrance requirements, travelers arriving in Turkey do not need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Nevertheless, passengers entering Turkey need to prove that they are safe to travel. They can do it either by submitting a vaccination certificate or alternatively a negative test report or recovery proof.
Those who plan to enter Turkey with a vaccination certificate need to submit the certificate confirming that they receive the full series of the COVID-19 vaccine (the final dose must have been administered at least 14 days prior to the arrival).
There are no specific requirements concerning recognized vaccine manufacturers - Turkey approves all vaccines in case of all international arrivals.
Quarantine Requirements
Unvaccinated travelers who arrive from countries classified as high-risk, or those travelers who have been to high-risk countries within the past 14 days, are subject to a 10-day quarantine upon entering Turkey (at their own expense).
The quarantine facility is to be determined by the Turkish Government.
As already mentioned, random PCR testing is carried out on arrival in Turkey. If tested positive, a traveler will need to undergo a 14-day quarantine (possible to be ended on the 10th day if tested negative).
Entry Rules for Children
- Turkish eVisa: all children must have a separate eVisa (if applicable)
- COVID-19 negative test report: children under 12 years of age are exempt
- Entrance Form to Turkey: children under 6 years of age are exempt
- Quarantine: children under 12 years of age are exempt (arrivals from high-risk countries)
Transit through Turkey
Travelers only transiting through Turkey or making a transit stop on their way to another travel destination do not need to obtain an eVisa as long as they will remain within the transit zone to board their connecting flight. They will only need a valid passport then.
Passengers in transit are also exempt from submitting a negative coronavirus test or vaccination information.
Local travel requirements
After a prolonged lockdown, Turkey returned to relative normality, but there are still some restrictions due to the emergence of the Omicron variant. Shops, restaurants, cafes, museums, and other public places remain open to the public but all the persons accessing them must wear masks in both indoor and outdoor public spaces.
Entering cinemas, theatres or concerts requires vaccination proof or a negative PCR test report taken 48 hours before the given event. In most situations, non-residents can simply provide a printed copy of the vaccination certificate.
Sunday lockdowns and night curfew have now been removed and there is no limit on the number of people allowed to access restaurants and cafes.
Use of public transportation, including trains, airplanes, or busses requires providing the vaccination proof or negative test performed within 48 hours before travel. Masks are also mandatory. Some services may have reduced capacity.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not one of the conditions to enter Turkey. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended to purchase an insurance package just in case of some unpredictable situations like flight cancelation, or stolen luggage.
Currently, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, travelers are advised to choose travel insurance that will cover the potential coronavirus-related treatment expenses.
