An electronic airport transit visa requirement has been introduced, starting15 April 2024, for citizens of 10 countries who will transit to Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela using Istanbul Airport.1
Turkey, which is both a transit country and a destination country in terms of global âirregularâ migration movements, is actively implementing measures to reinforce its fight against irregular migration.2
Passengers travelling from the afore-mentioned countries, from 15 April 2024, have new steps and procedures to complete in order to be in compliance.
Inspections within the framework of accepted international aviation rules have been increased due to the recent rise in the number of irregular immigrants heading to North America via various Central and Latin American countries, using transit airline opportunities via Turkey.
Turkish Airlines (THY) warned in March for passengers traveling to South American countries that “some additional checks may be applied in addition to the general rules such as passport and visa requirements for accepting passengers on flights.”3
According to information obtained from diplomatic sources, in this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has completed the necessary preparations to implement the electronic airport transit visa (e-HTV) application.4
Citizens of Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, India, Mauritania, Nepal, Somalia, and Yemen who will travel to Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela, but transit through Istanbul Airport, as of 15 April 2024, must obtain an electronic airport transit visa.
Turkey is a popular transit point for travelers journeying between Europe, Asia, and Africa. As a massive country bridging two continents, Turkey offers convenient connections through its hub airports in Istanbul and Ankara. However, unlike some other transit countries, Turkey does require most foreign nationals to obtain a visa – even if just transiting between flights.
Below we’ll cover everything you need to know about Turkey’s transit visa requirements including
- Who needs a Turkey transit visa
- How to apply for a Turkey transit visa
- Transit visa validity and duration
- Transit visa exemptions
- Frequently asked questions
Who Needs a Turkey Transit Visa?
Turkey requires all foreign nationals except citizens of some exempt countries to have a valid Turkey visa if transiting through Turkey. This applies even if you are only passing through an airport and won’t leave the international transit area.
So unlike some other countries, Turkey does not offer a universal visa-free transit facility The only exceptions are citizens of exempt countries like the USA, UK, EU states, Canada, Japan, etc All other foreign nationals need to apply for a Turkey transit visa in advance of travel.
This includes those with a valid visa or residence permit for a third country like the Schengen area. So even if you already have a valid European visa, you still need to get a separate Turkey transit visa if transiting on the way to Europe.
How to Apply for a Turkey Transit Visa
To apply for a Turkey transit visa, you will need to submit an online application via the Turkish government’s e-Visa website. This requires uploading documents like your passport, travel itinerary, and passport-style photo.
Applications typically take 1-3 business days to process once submitted and approved. The eVisa is digital, so you do not get a label or stamp – just the online approval document.
When entering Turkey, you must print out the eVisa approval letter to present to immigration officers along with your passport. The fee for a Turkey transit e-Visa is usually around US$20-60 depending on nationality.
Alternatively, you can apply for a Turkey visa on arrival when you land. However, this has stricter eligibility criteria and higher fees, so the e-Visa is recommended for most travelers.
Turkey Transit Visa Validity and Duration
The Turkey transit e-Visa is normally valid for 180 days from the issue date. This 180 day validity allows you to enter Turkey multiple times within this period.
The permitted duration of stay is up to 120 hours (5 days). This allows enough time for stopovers between flights as well as visiting Turkey briefly as a tourist.
You can also apply for a longer validity Turkey tourist or business e-Visa if you want to spend more time in the country in transit to your destination.
Transit Visa Exemptions
As mentioned above, some nationalities do not need a visa to transit through Turkey. These include passport holders from:
- USA
- Canada
- UK
- EU countries
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Japan
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- South Korea
- Australia
- New Zealand
So citizens of these exempt countries and a few others can transit through Turkey without needing to apply for an e-Visa.
However, you will still need to show your passport and fill out arrival/departure cards when passing through immigration control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions travelers have about transiting through Turkey:
Do I need a transit visa for a layover in Istanbul?
Yes, unless you are a passport holder from one of the exempt countries, you will need an e-Visa for any layover in Istanbul or other Turkey airports.
What if I am only transiting landside in an airport?
All foreign nationals except exempt passport holders need a visa to enter Turkey for any purpose, including landside airport transit. You need to pass through immigration which requires a valid Turkey visa.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Turkey?
Yes, but the requirements are stricter and fees higher than the e-Visa, so applying online in advance is recommended for most.
What if I have a Schengen visa – do I still need a Turkey transit visa?
Yes, your Schengen visa does not exempt you from needing a separate Turkey transit visa. You will need to apply for a Turkey e-Visa as explained above.
How soon before my travel should I apply for an e-Visa?
You can apply up to 3 months in advance. Allow at least 1-3 business days for processing though some nationalities may need more time.
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide has provided a helpful overview of Turkey’s transit visa requirements. The key points to remember are:
- Most foreign nationals need a Turkey visa to transit through the country
- The recommended way to apply is through the e-Visa website in advance
- Only citizens of certain exempt countries can transit without a visa
- Double check the latest requirements before planning your trip
Can Be Obtained via Internet Free-of-Charge
The electronic transit visa can be obtained free-of-charge online from the “evisa.gov.tr” portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of 15 April 2024.5 Passengers must correctly enter their personal information, accommodation address information, and ticket numbers when obtaining an electronic visa.
Istanbul Airport transit passengers who are subject to an electronic transit visa are also expected to have print-outs of their transit visas with them.
Passengers subject to an electronic transit visa will be able to pass through security control and go to the departure floor after having their visas checked at one of the visa points located in both wings of the Istanbul Airport international transit passenger arrivals hall.
The changes to the rules for nationals of the 10 countries in question mean additional steps and procedures in order to complete their journeys. There may be some confusion and questions regarding who the rules apply to and the appropriate next steps. Concerned parties may wish to consult with their usual travel agents and immigration counsel. They may also reach out to a member of the KPMG Immigration team in Turkey for assistance (see the Contacts section).
1 As an example of the Turkish governmentâs announcement of this policy, see: Turkish Embassy in New Delhi, India, “IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE INDIAN/NEPALESE PASSANGERS TRAVELING TO MEXICO, PANAMA, COLOMBIA, VENEZUELA VIA Ä°STANBUL AIRPORT.”
2 The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) defines the term migrant in an irregular situation as follows: A person who moves or has moved across an international border and is not authorised to enter or to stay in a State pursuant to the law of that State and to international agreements to which that State is a party (Source: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/networks/european-migration-network-emn/emn-asylum-and-migration-glossary/glossary/irregular-migrant_en).
3 See this webpage on the Turkish Airlines website: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/announcements/passenger-admission-rules-for-south-america/.
4 Passengers can obtain their e-ATV via the website: evisa.gov.tr.
Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Turkey.