Entering Turkey With A Schengen Visa
Schengen visas offer many possibilities for their holders. However, what many travelers don’t know is those privileges extend beyond the EU itself. Turkey is just one such place that gives preferential access to holders of this kind of visa.
This article gives a full description of how to enter Turkey as a holder of a Schengen visa. It explains the procedure of getting ready to travel to the country, what visitors need to know before they make their journey and how the Turkish eVisa works for Schengen visa holders.
What Is The Schengen Visa and Who Can Apply?
A Schengen visa is a travel authorization document issued by EU Schengen members. Each nation within the Schengen agreement issues these visas following its own set of national requirements.
The visas are for 3rd country nationals who intend to work, study or reside in the EU over an extended period of time or to visit for a short trip. In addition to permitting residence or a short stay in their country of application, it also allows visitors to travel and stay in all 26 other member states passport-free.
Furthermore, Schengen holders are also permitted to apply online for visas for other non-EU countries such as Turkey. The Schengen visa itself is usually provided as a supporting document during the application process in addition to a valid passport.
Where and How To Get a Schengen Visa
To apply for a Schengen visa, prospective EU tourists and residents must first visit the embassy of the country they wish to reside in or vacation in. They must select the appropriate visa for their circumstance and follow the rules and procedures set by the nation in question in order to be granted their valid Schengen visa.
The stipulations for being granted a Schengen visa usually include evidence of one or more of the following:
- A valid passport
- Proof of accommodation
- Valid travel insurance
- Financial independence or support whilst in Europe
- Onward travel information
Nationalities That Can Apply For Turkish eVisas With Valid Schengen Visas
The Schengen visa is available to residents of most African and Asian countries. Travelers from these nations will need to apply for their Schengen visa before visiting the EU or they could be denied entry to the bloc or prevented from boarding transport to Europe.
Once granted the visa can in some cases be used to apply for travel authorization for nations outside of Europe too. Holders of valid Schengen visas from the 54 states can use their travel authorization as a supporting document for a Turkish eVisa.
This list of states includes, among others: Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Liberia, Kenya, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Tanzania, Vietnam or Zimbabwe. Check our requirements page for further information.
How to Travel to Turkey With A Schengen Visa
It is obligatory to hold a visa to enter Turkey unless visiting from a visa-free country. In most cases, the easiest way to prepare for travel is with a Turkish eVisa. This is obtained fully online and can be processed and approved in under 24 hours.
Applying for a Turkish eVisa while holding a Schengen visa is a very straightforward process with only a few requirements. Visitors just need to provide identifying personal data, supporting documents such as a valid passport and a Schengen visa, and to answer a few security questions.
However, please bear in mind that only valid national visas can be used as supporting data. eVisas from other countries are not considered sufficient evidence and cannot be used as such during an application for a Turkish eVisa.
Turkey eVisa Checklist For Schengen Visa Holders
There are a number of identifying documents and items that will be necessary to successfully apply for a Turkish eVisa whilst holding a Schengen visa. These include:
- A valid passport: Must have over 150 days left before expiry
- Valid supporting documents: Such as Schengen visa
- A functional email address: To receive the eVisa
- A credit or debit card: To pay the eVisa fees
It is essential that applicants with Schengen visas ensure that their documents are still valid when they enter Turkey. Entering the country with a Turkish tourist visa that is attached to an expired visa for the Schengen zone could lead to refusal of entry at the border.
How to Visit Turkey Without a Schengen Visa
Tourists can still travel to Turkey using an eVisa, without holding a Schengen visa if they are from an eligible nationality for the program. To apply, the process is very similar to those applying with the EU visa.
However, citizens of countries that are ineligible for an eVisa and who do not hold a valid Schengen or Turkish visa will need to take an alternative path. They should instead make contact with their local Turkish embassy or consulate.
Turkey is a fascinating country to visit. It bridges the Eastern and Western worlds and offers many experiences for tourists to enjoy. However, traveling with the right visa is essential although fortunately, the nation offers visitors many options for travel authorization.
Travel to Europe
The European Union of 27 countries stretches over the continent of Europe from Lapland in the north to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the west coast of Ireland to the shores of Cyprus: a rich tapestry of landscapes from rocky coastlines to sandy beaches, from fertile pastureland to arid plains, from lakes and forests to arctic tundra.
The peoples of Europe, with their diverse traditions, cultures, and languages, make up around 7% of the world’s population. Their historic heritage is charted in prehistoric cave paintings, Greek and Roman antiquities, Moorish architecture, medieval fortresses, Renaissance palaces, and baroque churches. Modern Europe too attracts the traveller, with its vibrant cities, colourful cultural festivities, winter and summer sports, and varied cuisine.
Europeans love to travel. The removal of most passport and baggage formalities and the use of the same currency – the euro – in 19 EU countries have made travelling much easier.
The creation of a single market of more than 500 million people has brought wider choice and lower prices. In fact, most Europeans find it as easy to travel around the EU as it is to travel in their home country.
Documents you will need to travel
For EU citizens
Passport or identity card
There are no longer any controls at the borders between 27 EU countries. This is thanks to the Schengen rules, which are part of EU law. All EU countries – except for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania are full Schengen members. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are also Schengen members but are not in the EU. The Schengen rules remove all internal border controls but put in place effective controls at the external borders of the EU and introduce a common visa policy. Internal border controls may exceptionally be reintroduced for a limited period if there is a serious threat to public order or internal security in a given Member State.
You will, therefore, need to present a valid passport or ID card when travelling to or returning from the six non-Schengen countries and when entering or leaving the EU at the external borders. Carry them when travelling in the EU because they may be required for identification or security purposes. Before travelling outside the EU, check what documents are required by the non-EU country you plan to visit. Be aware that the only valid ID is one obtained from national authorities.
Children must have their own passport or ID card.
Visa
You will not need a visa for travelling within the EU.
For non-EU citizens
Passport
Passport
You will need a valid passport.
Visa
There are more than 50 countries whose nationals do not need a visa to visit the EU for up to 90 days. In general, most EU citizens do not need a visa to visit these non-EU countries either. They include Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States.
The list of countries whose nationals require visas to travel to Ireland differs slightly from other EU countries. Apply for a visa at the consulate or embassy of the country you plan to visit.
If you hold a Schengen visa, you can travel to all the Schengen countries. Moreover, if you have a valid residence permit issued by one of those Schengen countries, you can stay for up to 90 days in other Schengen countries. You may need a national visa to visit the non-Schengen EU countries.
You can find the relevant addresses in Türkiye to obtain EU countries’ visas in the country page of our interactive map.
Travel to Europe
The European Union of 27 countries stretches over the continent of Europe from Lapland in the north to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the west coast of Ireland to the shores of Cyprus: a rich tapestry of landscapes from rocky coastlines to sandy beaches, from fertile pastureland to arid plains, from lakes and forests to arctic tundra.
The peoples of Europe, with their diverse traditions, cultures, and languages, make up around 7% of the world’s population. Their historic heritage is charted in prehistoric cave paintings, Greek and Roman antiquities, Moorish architecture, medieval fortresses, Renaissance palaces, and baroque churches. Modern Europe too attracts the traveller, with its vibrant cities, colourful cultural festivities, winter and summer sports, and varied cuisine.
Europeans love to travel. The removal of most passport and baggage formalities and the use of the same currency – the euro – in 19 EU countries have made travelling much easier.
The creation of a single market of more than 500 million people has brought wider choice and lower prices. In fact, most Europeans find it as easy to travel around the EU as it is to travel in their home country.
Documents you will need to travel
For EU citizens
Passport or identity card
There are no longer any controls at the borders between 27 EU countries. This is thanks to the Schengen rules, which are part of EU law. All EU countries – except for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania are full Schengen members. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are also Schengen members but are not in the EU. The Schengen rules remove all internal border controls but put in place effective controls at the external borders of the EU and introduce a common visa policy. Internal border controls may exceptionally be reintroduced for a limited period if there is a serious threat to public order or internal security in a given Member State.
You will, therefore, need to present a valid passport or ID card when travelling to or returning from the six non-Schengen countries and when entering or leaving the EU at the external borders. Carry them when travelling in the EU because they may be required for identification or security purposes. Before travelling outside the EU, check what documents are required by the non-EU country you plan to visit. Be aware that the only valid ID is one obtained from national authorities.
Children must have their own passport or ID card.
Visa
You will not need a visa for travelling within the EU.
For non-EU citizens
Passport
Passport
You will need a valid passport.
Visa
There are more than 50 countries whose nationals do not need a visa to visit the EU for up to 90 days. In general, most EU citizens do not need a visa to visit these non-EU countries either. They include Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States.
The list of countries whose nationals require visas to travel to Ireland differs slightly from other EU countries. Apply for a visa at the consulate or embassy of the country you plan to visit.
If you hold a Schengen visa, you can travel to all the Schengen countries. Moreover, if you have a valid residence permit issued by one of those Schengen countries, you can stay for up to 90 days in other Schengen countries. You may need a national visa to visit the non-Schengen EU countries.
You can find the relevant addresses in Türkiye to obtain EU countries’ visas in the country page of our interactive map.
Source https://www.visasturkey.com/entering-turkey-with-a-schengen-visa/
Source https://www.avrupa.info.tr/en/travel-europe-118
Source https://www.avrupa.info.tr/en/travel-europe-118