Turkey visa & passport guide
Everything Indian passport holders need to visit Turkey — visa type, fees, processing time, documents, and the step-by-step application process.
Turkey Visa for Indian Passport Holders
Indian passport holders need a visa for Turkey before boarding. If you already hold a valid (used or unused) visa or residence permit from the Schengen area, USA, UK or Ireland, you can apply for the Turkey e-Visa online in a few minutes; everyone else must apply for a sticker visa through the Turkish Consulate or its authorised visa application centre in India. The e-Visa is single entry and allows a stay of up to 30 days.
Visa Type
eVisa (single entry, 30 days) for holders of a valid Schengen/USA/UK/Ireland visa or residence permit; otherwise sticker visa via Turkish Consulate
Visa Fee
eVisa: approx USD 50 including service charge, roughly ₹4,200 to ₹4,600. Sticker visa: approx USD 60 to USD 90 in rupee equivalent, plus visa centre service fee of around ₹1,500 to ₹2,500
Processing Time
eVisa: usually within 24 hours, often minutes. Sticker visa: 15 to 20 working days, longer in the April to September peak
Stay Duration
30 days per visit on the eVisa; up to 30 days within a 180-day period on most short-stay sticker visas
Passport Validity
At least 6 months beyond your date of arrival in Turkey (150 days beyond the visa validity is the rule of thumb), with 2 blank pages
Documents Required
- Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival with 2 blank pages
- Copy of the valid Schengen, USA, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit if applying for the eVisa (must be valid on your travel dates)
- Confirmed return or onward air ticket
- Confirmed hotel bookings for the full stay
- Recent passport-size photographs with white background (for sticker visa applications)
- Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing sufficient funds
- ITR or Form 16 for the last 2 years, salary slips or business proof
- Employer NOC or leave letter, or company registration papers if self-employed
- Travel insurance covering the entire stay (mandatory for sticker visa, strongly advised for eVisa)
- Cover letter with day-wise itinerary
How to Apply
- 1Check which route applies to you: valid Schengen, USA, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit means eVisa, otherwise sticker visa.
- 2For the eVisa, apply on the official Turkish government portal evisa.gov.tr, enter passport details, upload or declare the supporting visa, and pay by international debit or credit card.
- 3Download the PDF approval sent by email and carry a printout along with the original supporting visa document.
- 4For the sticker visa, fill the online pre-application form, book an appointment at the Turkish Consulate or its authorised visa application centre in Delhi, Mumbai or Hyderabad, and submit documents in person with biometrics.
- 5Track the application and collect the passport, then verify the visa dates, entry type and permitted stay before travel.
Good to Know
- Only use evisa.gov.tr. Many lookalike sites charge two to three times the fee for the same document.
- The supporting Schengen, UK, USA or Ireland visa must be valid on the day you enter Turkey. An expired one does not qualify, though used single-entry Schengen visas that are still within validity generally do.
- E-Residence permits or e-visas from those countries are not always accepted as supporting documents. A sticker visa or a physical residence card is safer.
- The eVisa is single entry. If you plan a side trip to Georgia, Greece or Northern Cyprus and want to re-enter Turkey, you need a multiple-entry sticker visa.
- Immigration at Istanbul Airport commonly asks for hotel confirmations, return ticket and proof of funds. Keep printouts, not just phone screenshots, since network access before the SIM purchase can be patchy.
- Carry around 200 to 300 euros or the lira equivalent per person for the trip as visible funds. Officers occasionally ask.
- Book the sticker visa appointment at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead if you are travelling between May and September or during Cappadocia's balloon season.
- Turkish lira is volatile. Exchange only small amounts at the airport and use ATMs or authorised exchange offices in Sultanahmet or Taksim for better rates.
- If you are transiting Istanbul on Turkish Airlines without leaving the international zone, you do not need a Turkish visa, but you do need one to step out for the city tour.
Visa rules and fees change — verify with the official embassy or immigration website before booking travel.
