If you’re planning on traveling to Turkey and you’re not a European Union (EU) citizen, you’ll need to apply for a visa before your trip. This can be done in person at the Turkish consulate closest to you, but don’t worry – it’s a simple process that shouldn’t take more than an hour of your time. If you live in Canada or South Africa, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting your visa, including how much it costs and how long it takes to get approved by the government.
What is a tourist visa?
A tourist visa is a document that allows citizens of one country to enter another country for tourism. In Turkey, tourists can stay up to 90 days without obtaining a tourist visa. If you plan on staying longer than 90 days in Turkey, you will need a tourist visa from your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate. Canadians do not need a transit or visa if they are transferring through Istanbul Atatürk Airport. However, they must have their passport with them at all times during their trip to Turkey. People who wish to travel within Turkey on business need a tourist visa unless they obtain work authorization first.
The best things to do in Turkey
Turkey has a lot to offer from beautiful beaches and islands, affordable food, excellent food, friendly people, etc. And so that you can have a great time in Turkey without any hassle or stress, we are going to be sharing with you all of the information about Turkey visas for Canadian citizens along with some other tips that will help make your trip to Turkey an unforgettable one. Here is everything you need to know about Turkey Visa for Canadian Citizens.
Do I need a visa?
As a Canadian or South African citizen, you can visit Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days. However, if you’re planning on staying longer than 90 days, or are coming from Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Sudan—countries under sanction by Turkey—you’ll need a visa. For stays longer than 30 days, you can apply at your local Turkish consulate; within 30 days of travel, however, you should apply via your nearest Turkish embassy.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a Turkey Visa for South African Citizens is $30 USD. The cost of a Turkey Visa For Canadian citizens is $20 USD. A multiple entry visa costs twice as much. The visa is valid for up to 90 days but can be extended in a number of countries, including Turkey. To apply online, you’ll need a credit card (Visa or MasterCard). If you’re applying at an embassy or consulate, cash or personal checks are also accepted. In either case, depending on where you live, there may be specific requirements for getting a visa (for example more detailed passport information will be required if you’re mailing your application instead of applying in person.) And don’t forget that your passport must have at least 6 months left before it expires!
Is my passport valid?
Just because your passport is technically still valid doesn’t mean you can use it. Most countries require at least six months of validity remaining on a passport in order to be accepted, but that rule is often stretched to eight months (and sometimes longer) when people are traveling from places like Asia or Africa. Turkey isn’t an exception here; in fact, most European countries will require your passport be valid for at least nine months before being allowed through customs. If yours doesn’t fit that bill, don’t bother applying—you won’t get approved. Make sure you have plenty of time before you plan on visiting Turkey so you have time to renew if necessary; otherwise, good luck finding another way into the country.
Let’s talk about health insurance
No matter where you are in life, it’s always a good idea to understand your health insurance options. Knowing what is covered by your health plan can help you make educated decisions when buying things like glasses or shoes or getting routine checkups. Check out our infographic (on left) for some tips on maximizing your benefits. Want more detail? Here are some specific questions you might want to be answered: How much will my prescriptions cost? Is there a copay or deductible? Are there any services that aren’t covered by my plan? How do I get to see a specialist if I need one? To learn more about health insurance, check out our other infographics.
Getting your visa on arrival at the airport
Some travelers have been able to get their visa on arrival, but there are a number of restrictions. According to Turkish law, anyone from a country with which Turkey does not have diplomatic relations (or people who want to travel from these countries) must apply for a visa before visiting Turkey. For example, if you’re planning on traveling from Canada or Australia and will be entering through an airport in Turkey, you’ll need a visa beforehand. While getting your visa on arrival may work at smaller airports, it’s safer (and more likely) that Turkish officials will stop those without visas at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport or Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport. Turkish border guards usually don’t allow non-visaed people into Turkey unless they are flying directly into these cities.