GENERAL VISA INFORMATION FOR BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS

British and Irish passport holders travelling to Turkey require a visa. Visas can be obtained at the port of entry in Turkey or from the Turkish Consulate General in London or Turkish Diplomatic Missions in other countries.

Sticker type visas are issued at the port of entry and allow staying in Turkey for up to 90 days. It costs £10 for UK and €10 for Irish passport holders. If there is more than one person travelling on the same passport, each individual is liable to pay the visa fee. This type of visa does not permit to engage in paid or unpaid employment.

Those who wish to obtain entry visa from the Turkish Consulate in London should apply to the Consulate General. Visa fee is £40 and should be paid by postal order or cash only. A passport size picture should also be submitted during application.

It is advisable to have a minimum of six months validity on your passport from the date of your entry into Turkey.

Travel document holders need to apply to the Consulate General in person with his/her travel document with a validity of at least one year, a passport size photo, fully filled application form, latest bank statement, a reference letter from his/her employer or school. The fee is 40 pounds sterling. All visas for travel document holders are single entry.  

For more information or to make an appointment for a Visa application, please contact Turkish Consulate General in London.

Please note, there are new visa regulations for the citizens of the following countries:

BAHAMAS: You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 10th May 2003

MAURITIUS: You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 11th May 2003

BELIZE: You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 15th May 2003

UZBEKISTAN: You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 1st June 2003

FIJI: You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 22nd June 2003

JAMAICA: You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 10th July 2003

BARBADOS: You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 16th July 2003

SOUTH AFRICAN: You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 3rd May 2003

TOURIST VISA FOR ORDINARY PASSPORT HOLDERS (ALL COUNTRIES)

Please note: tourist visas do not give you the right to take up paid or unpaid employment or to reside, or to study (including student exchange program) or to establish yourself in business in Turkey.

VISA APPLICATION HOURS:
Applications to this Consulate General are admitted from 09.00 AM to 12.30 PM, from   Monday to Friday except bank holidays.

OTHER VISA CATEGORIES:

• STUDY, LONG TERM BUSINESS/MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA, VISA FOR LORRY DRIVERS: Please send a letter with a self addressed & stamped envelope  to this Consulate General or Turkish Diplomatic Missions in your resident country to receive information about it. Then, you will be sent brief information and necessary application forms.
  
  Important: The visa types above do not give you the right to take up paid or unpaid employment or to reside, or to study (including student exchange program) or to establish yourself in business in Turkey.
• MARRIAGE: If you  are married to a Turkish national, you can obtain  long term residence permit by applying to local police regardless of your current visa type (you will be required to produce necessary documents regarding your marriage).
• TRANSIT VISA:
  A) By AIR: If you are a visa-national (other than those who can get visa at the port of entry), you will not need visa for transit as long as you pass in immediate and continuous transit through a Turkish airport. Please note that you cannot leave airport transit area and you must  hold a ticket  to a destination outside of Turkey.  You must also have  permission/visa to enter the destination country, if such permit/visa is required.
  
  B) By SEA or LAND: If you intend to travel by sea or land  via Turkey, you will need a visa. Please refer to Information on Tourist Visa for Ordinary Passport Holders (for all countries). The application procedure is the same as tourist visa.
• VISAS FOR FILMING AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH:  If you wish to prepare documentary films related to scientific research and observation, make commercial and promotional films or conduct conduct archeological excavations within Turkey you must obtain prior permission from Turkish authorities. You will thereafter be issued with the appropriate visa. Please contact the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in London for commercial and promotional films and the Turkish Embassy in London for all other permissions. Filming make by tourists for personal use does not require prior permission.

MINIMUM VALIDITY ON PASSPORTS OR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
All passport holders are required to have a minimum of six months validity on their passports from the date of their entry into Turkey. All travel document holders are required to have a minimum of one year on their travel documents from the date of entry into Turkey.

VISA FEES AND PAYMENTS:
Visa fees differ as to nationality and types of visa and may not be refundable depending on the nationality.  All payments (visa and other administrative fees)  must be paid in cash or by postal order (made payable to 'Turkish Consulate General').   Credit/debit cards, personal cheques are not accepted. If you are a British passport holder, please look at footnote 4 above for visa fees.

TOURISM INFORMATION AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS:
Tourism information & brochures are available from the Turkish Embassy Tourist Office. Information on Turkish  Customs Regulation is available at the the official website of Turkish Customs Administration on http://www.gumruk.gov.tr/

The Consulate General for the Republic of Turkey in London 

Tel :    020 7591 69 00
Fax :    020 7591 69 11

Please note, that they are open for telephone enquires between 14.00 and 16.00 hrs only

Visa Information Line: 09068 347 348 (24 hrs)

Address:   Rutland Lodge
                  Rutland Gardens
                  Knightsbridge
                  LONDON
                  SW7 1BW

Web: www.turkishconsulate.org.uk