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Visa Exemption for Entry into Turkey

Visa Exemption for Entry into Turkey

What Is Visa Exemption for Entry into Turkey?

Turkey grants visa exemption to the citizens of approximately 90 countries. These exemptions are based on a range of legal sources, including domestic laws, bilateral or multilateral agreements, and Presidential decrees.

Under visa exemption arrangements, citizens of eligible countries may stay in Turkey without a residence permit for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. According to the Directorate General of Migration Management, a large number of nationalities are permitted to enter Turkey without a visa under this framework.

Visa Exemption Based on Domestic Law

Foreign nationals holding a valid residence or work permit in Turkey are exempt from obtaining a visa upon re-entry. These individuals are not subject to additional entry control procedures when returning to Turkey.

The Ministry of Interior may also issue specially stamped passports to stateless persons or individuals with undefined citizenship status, enabling them to reside and travel within Turkey.

These special passports can be issued:

  • For a single entry or a single exit,

  • Or for one exit and one re-entry.

Holders of such passports, if valid and accompanied by a return authorization to Turkey, are not required to obtain a visa.

In addition, individuals with special status, such as former Turkish citizens who lost their citizenship by official permission after being born as Turkish nationals, are also exempt from visa requirements and can enter Turkey without a visa.

Visa Exemption Through International Agreements

The foundation for visa-free travel in Europe began with the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) by Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. In 1957, these six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, forming the European Economic Community (EEC) with the aim of ensuring the free movement of goods, services, and labor.

In 1985, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg signed the Schengen Agreement, which abolished border controls for their own citizens but maintained them for third-country nationals.

The Maastricht Treaty later renamed the EEC as the European Union (EU), expanding the number of member states to 15. During the 1993 Copenhagen Summit, the Copenhagen Criteria were established, setting the political, economic, and legal standards required for membership.

With the Amsterdam Treaty of 1999, the Schengen acquis was incorporated into EU law. This defined the EU’s external borders and removed internal borders among member states. While EU citizens gained unrestricted movement, visa obligations were imposed on third-country nationals, who were required to obtain Schengen visas to travel freely within the internal borders of the EU.

However, obtaining a Schengen visa involves heavy bureaucracy and a significant risk of refusal, which adversely affects students, academics, businesspeople, and professionals from Turkey.

International Visa Exemption Agreements to Which Turkey Is a Party

Turkey is party to several key international agreements that govern visa exemptions for entry into the country. Some of the most significant include:

Ankara Agreement (1963)

Signed between Turkey and the European Economic Community (EEC), the agreement entered into force in 1964. It includes provisions not only on trade and customs union but also on individual rights. Although the agreement envisaged visa-free access for Turkish citizens to EEC (now EU) countries, this provision has never been fully implemented.

European Agreement on Regulations Governing the Movement of Persons Between Member States of the Council of Europe (1961)

Turkey is a party to this agreement, which allows citizens of member states to enter other signatory countries visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, due to increased migration from Turkey to Europe in the 1980s, the agreement was effectively suspended, and Turkey has not benefited from it in practice, although it remains formally in force.

Visa Exemption Agreement Between Turkey and Azerbaijan (2020)

Signed in Baku on February 25, 2020, this bilateral agreement grants mutual visa exemption rights to citizens of Turkey and Azerbaijan. Nationals of both countries can now enter each other’s territory without a visa for travel purposes, enhancing bilateral mobility and cooperation.

Presidential Decrees on Visa Exemption

A major step was taken with Presidential Decree No. 2181, dated March 1, 2020, which clarified and expanded visa exemptions for several countries.

Under this decree, holders of ordinary passports from the following countries are exempt from visa requirements for tourist visits and transit, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period:

  • Republic of Austria

  • Kingdom of Belgium

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  • Republic of Croatia

  • Kingdom of the Netherlands

  • Republic of Ireland

  • Kingdom of Spain

  • Republic of Malta

  • Kingdom of Norway

  • Republic of Poland

  • Portuguese Republic

This decision not only allows nationals of these countries to enter Turkey without a visa but also aims to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations and promote tourism between Turkey and the listed nations.

Entry into Turkey

Foreign nationals are required to present a passport or a valid travel document upon entry and exit from Turkey. The following rules apply during the entry process:

  • Foreigners must present their passport or equivalent travel document to the authorized officials at border checkpoints during both entry and exit.

  • Document inspections may be carried out even while vehicles are in motion during border crossings.

  • Foreigners transiting through Turkish airports may also be subject to inspection by the competent authorities, even within transit areas.

  • Upon arrival, it is assessed whether the individual falls within the scope of Article 7 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection.

  • If deemed necessary, foreign nationals may be held for further examination for up to four hours. During this period, the person may:

    • Choose to return to their country of origin, or

    • Wait for the completion of the admission procedures.

Foreigners Who Are Not Permitted Entry into Turkey

Article 7 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection explicitly defines the categories of foreigners who are not permitted entry into Turkey:

(1) The following individuals are considered inadmissible passengers and will be denied entry:

a) Those who do not possess a passport, visa, residence or work permit, or those whose documents are determined to be fraudulent or forged.

b) Those who lack a valid passport that remains valid for at least 60 days beyond the expiry of their visa, visa exemption, or residence permit.

c) Except for the cases under Article 15(2), those who fall within the categories listed in Article 15(1), even if not directly mentioned under this clause.

(2) Individuals who are denied entry will be formally notified of the decision. This notification will include:

  • Appeal procedures,

  • Legal rights and obligations.

(3) Foreigners subject to refusal of entry are held in designated areas at border gates until the relevant procedures are completed.

Visa Exemption Criteria for Entry into Turkey

1) The following categories of foreign nationals are exempt from visa requirements upon entry into Turkey:

a) Nationals of countries exempt from visa requirements pursuant to international agreements to which the Republic of Turkey is a party, or by Presidential Decree.

b) Foreign nationals who hold a valid residence permit or work permit on the date of intended entry into Turkey.

c) Holders of foreigners-only special stamped passports issued under Article 18 of the Passport Law No. 5682, dated 15 July 1950, whose validity remains in effect.

ç) Persons who have relinquished Turkish citizenship with official permission, as per Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, dated 29 May 2009.

2) The following categories of foreign nationals may be exempt from visa requirements under certain conditions:

a) Individuals on board aircraft or marine vessels who are forced to land at Turkish airports or seaports due to force majeure and who wish to disembark into the port city.

b) Foreign tourists arriving via seaports, who intend to visit the port city or nearby provinces for tourism purposes without exceeding a stay of 72 hours.