do you need turkey visa if you have schengen visa

Do You Need a Turkey Visa if You Have a Schengen Visa?

As an avid traveler, one question I get asked a lot is whether you need a separate Turkey visa if you already have a valid Schengen visa The short answer is – it depends!

Turkey has a rather complex visa policy that changes frequently. Whether you need a Turkey visa with a Schengen visa depends on your citizenship, the type of passport you hold, and the validity of your Schengen visa.

In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know about getting a Turkey visa with a valid Schengen visa.

Turkey’s Visa Policy for Schengen Visa Holders

Turkey has a liberal visa policy for citizens of certain countries who hold a valid Schengen visa. According to Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, citizens of some countries can obtain an e-Visa for Turkey if they meet either of these conditions:

• Hold a valid Schengen visa (minimum validity of 180 days)
• Hold a valid residence permit from any Schengen member state

With a valid Schengen visa or residence permit, eligible citizens can obtain a Turkey e-Visa online for 30 days validity and single entry.

The e-Visa for Turkey with a Schengen visa was introduced in 2013 to make the process more convenient for short-term travelers to Turkey. The Schengen visa serves as a supporting document for the Turkey e-Visa application.

Countries Eligible for Turkey Visa with Schengen Visa

Citizens of the following 58 countries are eligible to apply for a Turkey e-Visa online if they have a valid Schengen visa or residence permit:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

So if you are a passport holder of any of these countries, you can get a Turkey visa by applying through their online e-Visa system if you have a valid Schengen visa or residence permit.

Note that only ordinary passport holders are eligible to get the Turkey e-Visa under the Schengen category. Officials passports including diplomatic and service passport holders may be subject to other visa rules for Turkey.

Schengen Visa Requirements for Turkey E-Visa

Your Schengen visa must meet certain criteria to be accepted as a supporting document for the Turkey e-Visa application:

• Issued by any Schengen member state
• Minimum validity of 180 days from the date of arrival in Turkey
• Must have at least 2 blank pages to affix the Turkey visa
• Must be valid Multiple or Double entry visa

Your Schengen visa cannot be expired to qualify for the Turkey e-Visa. The e-Visa is issued only until the validity of your Schengen visa.

So for example, if your Schengen visa is valid from 1 Jan 2022 to 30 Jun 2022, and you are traveling to Turkey on 1 May 2022, your Turkey e-Visa will be issued only till 30 Jun 2022 – the date your Schengen visa expires.

Schengen Visa Holders Who Need a Regular Turkey Visa

While the Turkey e-Visa facility is a great option, it does NOT apply to all Schengen visa holders. Citizens of some countries still need to get a regular Turkey sticker visa even if they have a valid Schengen visa.

This includes passport holders of these 29 countries:

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Ukraine.

So if you are a citizen of any of the above countries, you will need to apply for a regular Turkey visa and cannot use your Schengen visa to get the Turkey e-Visa.

Getting a Turkey Tourist Visa as a Schengen Visa Holder

If you need to stay in Turkey longer than 30 days or make multiple entries, you can apply for a Turkey tourist visa with your Schengen visa.

With a valid Schengen visa (or residence permit), you can obtain a Turkey tourist visa for:

• Up to 90 days validity
• Single or multiple entries

The tourist visa can be obtained by applying at the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country. Make sure to carry your valid passport, Schengen visa, filled visa application form, passport photos, and supporting documents like hotel bookings or tour itinerary.

As a Schengen visa holder, you may be eligible for a visa on arrival at major Turkish airports. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions this facility may be temporarily suspended – so its best to get your Turkish tourist visa in advance.

How to Apply for Turkey E-Visa with Schengen Visa

Applying for the Turkey e-Visa is a quick and simple online process:

Step 1: Visit www.evisa.gov.tr

Step 2: Click ‘Apply Online’ and fill in the online form

Step 3: Upload your passport, Schengen visa, and a passport-size photo

Step 4: Make the visa payment online via credit/debit card

Step 5: Download the e-Visa PDF once approved and print it out

It takes approximately 1-2 business days to get approval once you complete the application and payment. The entire process is paperless and you get your visa electronically without having to visit any embassy or consulate.

The Turkey e-Visa application requires you to provide details like your name, nationality, passport number, travel dates, and Schengen visa information. Make sure to fill in the exact details as they appear on your passport and Schengen visa.

Entry Requirements when Visiting Turkey with a Schengen Visa

When visiting Turkey using your Schengen visa, you need to carry certain documents to clear immigration:

• Print out of approved Turkey e-Visa
• Original passport with 6 months validity
• Confirmed return tickets
• Proof of hotel bookings
• Travel insurance
• Sufficient funds to cover your stay
• Schengen visa (must meet validity criteria)

At the airport, the immigration officer will verify your passport, e-Visa printout, and Schengen visa. As long as all documents are in order, you will be granted entry for up to 30 days.

Overstaying your Turkey visa or violating any conditions can lead to fines, deportation, and future visa denial – so it is important to abide by all immigration rules.

Extending Your Turkey Visa

The Turkey e-Visa issued to Schengen visa holders is valid only for 30 days and cannot be extended further. You will need to exit Turkey and re-enter with a new visa if you wish to prolong your stay.

Alternatively, you can apply for a longer Turkey tourist visa that allows stays up to 90 days and multiple entries for the duration of the visa. This will allow you to remain in Turkey beyond 30 days on your Schengen visa.

If you have stayed in Turkey for the maximum duration allowed on your visa, you MUST exit the country and re-enter on a fresh visa. Overstaying can lead to serious consequences like ban on future entry to Turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common queries on getting a Turkish visa with a Schengen visa:

Do I need a Turkey transit visa if I have a Schengen visa?

No, you do not need a Turkey transit visa if you have a valid Schengen visa. You can transit through Turkey for up to 24 hours without a visa.

Can I get Turkey and Schengen visa together?

Yes, you can apply for both visas at the same time if you plan to visit the Schengen area and Turkey on the same trip. Some embassies allow joint applications.

My Schengen visa is single entry – can I still get a Turkey e-Visa?

No, your Schengen visa must be valid for at least 2 entries to use it for the Turkey e-Visa application. Single entry Schengen visa holders must apply for a regular Turkey visa.

I have a USA/UK visa – can I get the Turkey e-Visa?

No, only Schengen visas are eligible for the Turkey e-Visa under the current rules. If you have a US/UK visa, you