Consular Section

Visa Information

Applications for visa are admitted from 14:00 to 16:00 on TUESDAY and THURSDAY .

All passport holders are advised to have a minimum of six months validity on their passports from the date of their entry into Turkey.

For further information concerning visa issues please contact the Consular Section by E-mail  Obtain a copy of the “Visa Application Form” , "

In case of necessity, visa applicants  may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents.

1. Information On Ordinary Visa Requirements:

- Please consult the list to see how long you can stay in Turkey if issued a visa. - Swedish passport holders traveling to Turkey do not require visa. However, for Swedish citizens who wish to stay more than three months in Turkey, residence permit is required. For information on residence visa requirements please see article 3. 

Citizens of some countries have the possibility to obtain their visas at the Turkish border gates (sticker visa).

Transit visa: Passengers who will have to wait at the Turkish International Airports for their next connecting flights are not required to have an “Airport Transit Visa (ATV)”. However, should those passengers wish to take a tour at the city or stay over, they have to either obtain their transit visas at the Turkish Embassies/Consulates in advance.

-"Swedish främlingpass" and "travel document" holders need to apply to the Consular Section personally to the Consular Section in Stockholm. Citizens of countries which are not listed above require visa in order to enter to Turkey ( even if they have residence permit in Sweden)

The applicant is required to submit the following documents while applying in person:  

• Valid travel document (passport, travel document or alien´s passport) (It should be valid at least three months longer than the expiry date of the requested visa),
• Fully filled applied application form
• One passport size photograph of the applicant (It should be affixed on the top left side of the visa application form),
• Documents supporting the purpose and the conditions of the planned visit (e.g. letter of invitation, travel itinerary, round trip ticket, hotel reservation with payment guarantee etc.),
• Guarantees regarding means of subsistence, salary statement or reference letter from the employer
• Non-refundable visa processing fee (the amount differs depending on the nationality and visa type),
• If the person applies from a country other than his/her homeland, then he/she should also submit his/her valid residence permit or any document that proves he/she legally stays in that country.
• If the person applies for a business visa, an invitation letter from the counterpart company is also required in addition to the above mentioned documents.
• Extract from Tax Authority

All passport holders requiring  residence, work, study and long term multiple entry visas should apply to the Consular Section in advance before going to Turkey.

2. Information On Work Visa Requirements:

Persons who enter Turkey as tourists (with or without a tourist visa) are not permitted to take up employment. Swedish or other nationals who wish to work in Turkey must obtain a work visa through or Consular Section. The procedure to apply for a work visa is as follows:

The person can only apply for a work visa after he/she has signed a work contract with a Turkish employer. In the first step, the applicant should submit the following documents to the nearest Turkish Embassy/Consulate in person to apply for a work permit and work visa.

• Valid travel document (passport) (It should be valid at least three months longer than the expiry date of the requested work visa),
• Completed work “Visa Application Form”, "
• One passport size photograph of the applicant (It should be affixed on the top left side of the visa application form),
• One copy of the work contract,
• If the person applies from a country other than his/her homeland, then he/she should also submit his/her valid residence permit or any document that proves he/she legally stays in that country.
• Extract from tax Authority.

The employer should submit the relevant documents to Ministry of Labour and Social Security in 3 days time.

Work visa and work permit holders must apply to the Alien’s Branch of Local Police Department (Emniyet Mudurlugu Yabancilar Subesi) within 30 days upon their arrival at Turkey to obtain a residence permit. Once the person is granted with the residence permit, he/she can enter into Turkey multiple times as long as his/her residence permit is valid and thus he/she does not need a visa for entry into Turkey. If the extension of the residence permit is required, the extension or renewal should be made timely before the expiry date. The person is recommended to have the validity of the residence permit extended before leaving Turkey, if the validity of residence permit is to expire or has already expired.

Information on Turkish Customs Regulation is available at the the official website of Turkish Customs Administration on http://www.gumruk.gov.tr

3. Education Visas

Foreigners may apply for education visa only after they have enrolled in a Turkish university, school or a language course certified by the Ministry of Education. Education visa is generally valid for one year for single entry. The person concerned should apply to the nearest Turkish Embassy/Consulate in person with the following documents.

• Valid travel document (passport) (It should be valid at least three months longer than the expiry date of the requested education visa),
• Completed education visa application form
• One passport size photograph of the applicant (It should be affixed on the top left side of the visa application form),
• An official acceptance letter from the Turkish university, school or a language course certified by the Ministry of Education,
• Non-refundable education visa processing fee (the amount may differ depending on the nationality),
• Extract from tax authority
• If the person applies from a country other than his/her homeland, then he/she should also submit his/her valid residence permit or any document that proves he/she legally stays in that country.

This visa will allow the bearer to enter into Turkey and apply for a residence permit. Education visa holders must apply to the Alien’s Branch of Local Police Department (Emniyet Mudurlugu Yabancilar Subesi) within 30 days upon their arrival at Turkey to obtain a residence permit. Once the person is granted with the residence permit, he/she can enter into Turkey multiple times as long as his/her residence permit is valid and thus he/she does not need a visa for entry into Turkey. If the extension of the residence permit is required, the extension or renewal should be made timely before the expiry date. The person is recommended to have the validity of the residence permit extended before leaving Turkey, if the validity of residence permit is to expire or has already expired.

If you wish to reside in Turkey longer than the normal period allowed to tourists or set up a business with or without a Turkish partner, you need to apply for a residence visa. Applicants for residence visa are required to submit the following documents to the Consular Section in person:

• Passport with a validity of at least one year & a photocopy.
• One passport size photograph. 
• “Visa Application Form”  fully filled in (It can also be obtained from the Consular Section by sending a self addressed & stamped envelope with a brief letter explaining your request).
• Bank statement showing the applicant's current financial standing & a photocopy. 
• Details of pensions or other assets from which the applicant receive a regular income & a photocopy. 
• A letter specifying the reasons for the applicant's intended settlement in Turkey.  
• Extract from tax authority

All documents must be submitted to the Consular Section at least eight weeks before the intended date of departure.   Please note that applications have to be referred to the relevant Turkish authorities for their approval. Therefore, applicants are advised to call the Consular Section to find out the outcome in due course. After obtaining the visa, you are required to register with the local police headquarters within a month following the arrival in Turkey in order to get a residence permit. If you wish to extend your visa for a further period, you should apply to the same police headquarters before the visa expires.

Those who are married to a Turkish national can obtain their long term residence permits by applying local police headquarters regardless of their visa type (they are required to produce necessary documents regarding their marriage).