Visitors

A visitor's visa valid for 90 days is issued to British Citizens at the port of entry on payment of £10 (English notes only).  British diplomatic/official passport holders must apply for a visa before travelling to Turkey.

Since 2010, Turkish visit visas issued at arrival ports state that they are valid for multiple stays up to a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period.  

Up to 31 January 2012, this rule has not been enforced by the Turkish immigration authorities, who were operating a flexible interpretation of the requirement.  

However, from 1 February 2012, the new visa rules will be fully enforced, and you will only be able to stay in Turkey for a total of 90 days in every 180.  We had approached the Turkish Authorities to see if this implementation date could be delayed but unfortunately, it could not.

If you plan to remain in Turkey for a period of more than 90 days after 1 February, you should either enquire about longer stay visas from your nearest Turkish Embassy before departure, or if in Turkey, you should enquire at your local Foreigners Police Department (Yabancilar Sube) before 90 days expires.  If you stay in Turkey for long periods of time, it may be worth considering obtaining a residence permit.  

Be careful not to overstay the 90 day period.  Overstaying is taken very seriously by the Turkish Authorities.  As is current practice, those who overstay the 90 day limit could be fined, detained, deported and banned from re-entering Turkey.

• Overstay 1-15 days  - no ban.
• Overstay from 16-90 days - banned for up to three months.  
• Overstay for more than 90 days i.e. from the 91st day, banned for up to six months.

British Consular Services Turkey

31 January 2012