Turkey Tourist Visa for Indians

Yes, Indian citizens do need a visa to enter Turkey. Indians who hold diplomatic passports are exempt from visas for their travels to Turkey for up to 90 days. Besides, Indian citizens who hold ordinary, special and service passports are required to have a visa to enter Turkey.

Indian citizens travelling to Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela, transiting via Istanbul Airport in Turkey, are required to obtain an electronic Airport Transit Visa. This is also applicable for citizens of 9 more countries, including Afghanistan, Nepal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, Somalia, Cameroon, Mauritania, and Yemen.

No, Indian citizens cannot avail of a visa-on-arrival in Turkey. They must apply for an e-visa or a sticker visa from India to be able to visit Turkey.

Yes, Indian passport holders who have a valid visa or residence permit from Schengen, US, UK and Ireland are eligible for the Turkish e-visa, which can be obtained online in a few minutes. The fee levied for the same is 43 USD (EUR 39.82).

Indian nationals who do not have valid visas or residence permits in these countries would need to apply for a Turkish sticker visa.

To be eligible to apply for a Turkey Tourist Visa, an Indian:

• Must intend to visit the country only for travelling or business purposes.
• Hold a valid Indian passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended stay in Turkey.
• Have a confirmed return flight ticket or onward travel itinerary.
• Possess travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 50,000.
• Be able to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your stay in Turkey through bank statements or other financial documents.
• Have proof of accommodation, such as hotel reservations or invitation letters for your visit.
• Must have a valid supporting document such as a valid visa or valid residence permit from one of the Schengen countries, USA, UK or Ireland.

There are two main ways for Indian citizens to apply for a Turkish Tourist Visa:

1. Electronic Visa (e-Visa): This is the quicker and easier option for most travellers.
2. Sticker Visa: Apply in person at a Turkish embassy or consulate in India if you don't qualify for an e-Visa.

Based on your requirements, you can either opt for a Turkey eVisa or apply for a direct visa through a company authorised by the Turkish consulate.

1. Apply for a Turkey e-Visa for Indians

You can apply for a Turkish e-Visa through the official website, which is a straightforward procedure. You can get this Visa in just 3 minutes!

Step 1: Check Eligibility for Turkey e-Visa for Indians

Indian citizens are eligible for Turkey e-Visas, but you may not be eligible if you have certain passport types or a history of visa violations.

Step 2: Apply Online for Your Turkey e-Visa from India

Visit the official Turkish e-Visa website and fill out the online visa application form. Once done, you will receive a reference number at your

Step 3: Pay the Turkey e-Visa Fee to Complete the Application Process

Next, enter the application reference number to access the payment gateway and pay the visa fee of approx. 43 USD online using a Mastercard, Visa or UnionPay credit/debit card.

Step 4: Download Your Turkish e-Visa from India

After the payment is made, you will receive your Turkey e-visa in your email. You can download your e-visa as a PDF document. Print a copy for your travel records and carry it with you while travelling to Turkey.

Step 5: Electronic Airport Transit Visa for Indians in Turkey

If you need to change your flight from Istanbul to a South American destination, including Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela from India, you will require an Electronic Airport Transit Visa. 

Turkey is implementing this to manage irregular migration better. They're actively combating irregular migration and strengthening inspections at airports. 

In that case, you can apply for the Electronic Airport Transit Visa through the ministry’s website following the same process as above for e-visa.  Also, there is no visa fee applicable for electronic transit visa for Indians.  

2. Apply for a Turkish Sticker Visa for Indians

Turkish Embassy or Consulate do not take visa applications directly. They have authorised  VFS Global to receive applications for sticker visas for Indian nationals. Check the process below:

Step 1: Start Your Application on the VFS Global Website

Begin by visiting the Turkey section on the VFS Global website. Select India as your application country and your city of residence. Fill in your basic details and review the required documents before proceeding.

Step 2: Book Your Appointment at a VFS Visa Application Centre

Choose a suitable date and time for your appointment at the nearest VFS centre. While booking, you can also select optional services such as Premium Lounge, Courier return of passport, SMS updates or photocopying and photo services based on availability.

Step 3: Pay the VFS Service Fee to Confirm Your Appointment

Once you complete the appointment form, pay the applicable VFS service charge online. This payment confirms your slot. Visa fees are not included in this payment and will be collected later at the VFS centre.

Step 4: Visit the VFS Centre and Submit Your Application

On the day of your appointment, carry all required documents in original and photocopy. At the centre, submit your documents, provide biometric data and pay the remaining visa fee. After submission, you will receive an acknowledgement slip with your tracking number.

Step 5: Track Your Turkey Visa Application

Use the tracking number on the VFS Global website to check the status of your application. You will be notified once the Turkish Embassy or Consulate completes processing and your passport is ready for collection or dispatch.

Many Turkey visa delays and rejections happen because applicants miss small but important requirements. These are the errors that most Indian travellers unknowingly make during the application process.

• Submitting incomplete or unclear documents - Missing bank statements, unclear photocopies, incorrect hotel bookings or incomplete cover letters are some of the biggest reasons for delays and rejections. 
• Not matching travel dates across documents - Flight tickets, hotel stays and the cover letter must all show the same dates. Any mismatch often leads to additional verification. 
• Applying without checking eVisa or sticker‑ visa eligibility - Many applicants assume they qualify for an eVisa even without a valid US, UK, Schengen or Ireland visa. This leads to unnecessary rejection and wasted time. 
• Insufficient financial proof - If the account balance does not show at least USD 50 per day of stay or lacks a consistent transaction history, the application may be put on hold.
• Incorrect or missing consent documents for minors - Notarised consent letters and parent passport copies are mandatory for applicants under 18. Missing these documents causes immediate delays. 
• Booking wrong or unverifiable accommodations - Fake or refundable bookings with incomplete details often trigger additional checks by the Embassy. 
• Not carrying originals when visiting the VFS centre - Applicants sometimes bring only photocopies. VFS requires both original and photocopy for verification and biometrics. 
• Not reviewing passport validity or blank pages - Your passport must be valid for 6 months and have two blank pages. Many applicants overlook this until appointment day. 

Digit International Travel Insurance for Turkey is built to cover the most common risks Indian travellers face in Turkey. Every plan includes core protections along with convenient features that make your trip smoother and safer.

• Strong Medical and Travel Protection - Digit covers medical emergencies, hospitalisation, evacuation and repatriation, which helps reduce unexpected expenses during your trip. You are also protected against trip cancellations, interruptions, loss of passport and loss or delay of baggage.
• Adventure Activity Coverage - Your policy covers adventure activities such as scuba diving, bungee jumping and sky diving, as long as the activity lasts for one day. This gives added protection when exploring Turkey’s outdoor experiences.
• Instant Smartphone‑Enabled Claims - Claims can be filed directly from your mobile phone without paperwork. You simply upload your documents and track the claim digitally for faster support.
• Immediate Help for Flight Delays - If your flight is delayed for more than 4 hours, we give you immediate compensation of ₹500-1000.
• Missed Call Support From India - If you need assistance, you can give a missed call to +91-7799022308 and receive a call back within 10 minutes, saving you from international calling charges.
• Global Assistance - We’ve partnered with the world’s largest health & travel insurance network Allianz, to support you seamlessly across the globe. T&C apply*