Turkey Entry and Travel Requirements
Entry requirements to Turkey are a set of rules and regulations that outline what is required for easy entry into Türkiye. These requirements also identify the necessary documents that must be in place before the planned trip.
Among the most necessary documents that most travelers must have when arriving in Türkiye are a valid passport and visa.
Türkiye's visa policy regulates which visas are required for certain nationalities. The Turkish government allows visa applications completely online for citizens of several countries. However, some other nationalities can enter Türkiye without a visa for short periods related to business or tourism.
Please note that visiting Türkiye for a longer stay or purpose requires obtaining the relevant visa from the Turkish Embassy. There are some types of visas that must be issued directly from a diplomatic mission, including student visas or work visas.
Türkiye remains open to international tourists regardless of their vaccination status. However, they still have to meet certain entry requirements and additional conditions to enter the country without any obstacles. In addition to a valid passport and visa (regular visa or e-visa), travelers may need certain additional documents introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the additional documents introduced due to the pandemic is the application to enter Türkiye.
Passengers traveling to Turkey should familiarize themselves with recently updated travel advisories and entry regulations. These may change rapidly due to the evolving Coronavirus situation worldwide.
Document checklist for entry to Turkey
Each traveler 12 years of age or older must provide one of the following documents:
- negative rapid antigen test (taken within 48 hours of arrival)
- negative PCR test result (taken within 72 hours of arrival)
- recovery certificate (issued no earlier than the last 6 months)
- Full vaccination certificate (confirming that the last dose was received at least 14 days before arrival)
All visitors aged 6 years and over also need to complete:
- PLF model for Türkiye
You may also need to have:
- Regular Turkish visa or eVisa (subject to eligibility)
- Travel insurance includes COVID-19 coverage
Turkey eVisa
Applicants from eligible countries can simply apply for eVisa Turkey with a valid passport by filling out a short application form from the comfort of their home.
Tourists can apply for a 30-day single-entry visa or a 90-day multiple-entry visa, depending on nationality. Single and multiple entry electronic visas are issued for 90 days.
The Turkish eVisa application must be submitted at least 3 working days before the planned trip. The eVisa holder must enter Türkiye within one month from the date of issuance of the eVisa and no later than 3 months after the issuance of the visa. One of the most important requirements to obtain an e-visa to Turkey is to have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of arrival in Turkey.
Turkey entry form
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2021, Turkish authorities introduced an additional document required to enter Turkey: the PLF form for entry into Turkey.
Application for Türkiye Entry Form must be submitted within 72 hours of planned departure.
Each applicant will receive an individual HES code, which is needed not only to cross the Turkish border, but also to access various tourist attractions in Turkey.
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Check travel requirements
Incoming foreigners are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Turkish territory. As an alternative to a coronavirus vaccination certificate, they can provide:
- negative rapid antigen test (taken within 48 hours of arrival)
- negative PCR test report (taken within 72 hours of arrival)
- recovery certificate (issued no earlier than the last 6 months)
The testing requirement applies to all travelers 12 years of age and older.
Travelers who have been to certain high-risk countries in the past 14 days must provide a negative PCR test report, rapid tests are not accepted.
Travelers who are fully vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19 are exempt from the testing requirement upon presentation of vaccination or recovery certificate.
All arrivals to Türkiye must be prepared for random PCR tests conducted at Turkish airports. Passengers are allowed to continue their journey after testing negative for Covid-19. Those who test positive must undergo a 14-day quarantine, which can end on the 10th day in case of a negative result.
Vaccination required
According to current entry requirements, travelers to Türkiye do not need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, passengers entering Türkiye must prove that they can travel safely. They can do this by presenting a vaccination certificate or presenting a negative test report or proof of recovery. People planning to enter Turkey with a vaccination certificate must present a certificate confirming that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (the last dose must have been administered at least 14 days before arrival ).
There are no specific requirements for accredited vaccine manufacturers: Türkiye approves all vaccines for all international arrivals.
Quarantine required
Unvaccinated travelers from countries classified as high-risk or those who have been to high-risk countries in the past 14 days will be required to quarantine for 10 days upon entering Turkey (own expense).
Quarantine facilities will be decided by the Turkish government.
As mentioned, a random PCR test is performed upon arrival in Türkiye. In case of a positive test result, the traveler will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine (which may end on the 10th day in case of a negative test).
Entry Rules for Children
- Turkey e-Visa: All children must have their own eVisa (if applicable)
- Negative COVID-19 test report: Children under 12 years old are exempt
- Entry form to Turkey: Children under 6 years old are exempt
- Isolation: Children under 12 years old are exempt (coming from high-risk countries)
Transit through Turkey
Travelers simply transiting through Turkey or stopping over en route to another travel destination do not need to apply for an electronic visa as long as they remain within the transit area to board a connecting flight. They will then only need a valid passport.
Transit passengers are also exempt from submitting negative coronavirus test results or vaccination information.
Electronic visa for Türkiye
The Turkish government has introduced the e-Visa system, which significantly speeds up and facilitates visa applications for tourists from several countries. There are two types of electronic visas that one can obtain when arriving in Turkey, which are a single-entry visa with a stay of 21 days or 120 days. The validity of the first is 3 months, while the latter remains valid for 6 months.
Please note that e-Visa is only accepted at certain points of entry. Check here for more details.
Turkish Embassy or Consular Visa
All citizens of countries not eligible for electronic visas, as well as those planning to visit Turkey for a long-term stay, either to work or to live, must apply for a regular visa in the traditional way . To this end, they will have to make an appointment at the embassy and provide some supporting documents. Required documents may vary depending on the reason for travel, expected length of stay, and the applicant's nationality.
Since applying for a visa at an embassy or consulate can take several weeks, be sure to start the process well in advance of your planned trip. Contact your nearest Turkish embassy for more information.
Travel Insurance
The Turkish government has made it mandatory to purchase travel health insurance before arriving in the country. Make sure your insurance covers Covid-19, as well as any other medical needs that may arise during your stay in Turkey.
