Visas for Turkey

As of July 14 2010, Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has changed the Tourist Visa law for 63 Countries - the UK and most European countries included.

Now, on a tourist visa members of the 63 countries listed will only be granted 90 days within a 180 day period. These days need not be consecutive, but they cannot be exceeded.

The new law will directly affect expats who reside in Turkey on a tourist visas and make "visa runs", exiting the country temporarily, every 90 days to renew their privileges.

If a visitor to Turkey overstays, bans and fines can apply as follows:

• Overstay 1-15 days - no ban
• Overstay from 16-90 days - banned for up to three months
• Overstay for more than 90 days i.e. from the 91st day, banned for up to six months

The new law is designed to encourage long-term residents and expats living in Turkey to apply for proper residence status - documentation that ends up being far more costly than a basic tourist visa.