SA PASSPORT holders
will still be able to
obtain a visa-on-arrival
for the foreseeable future
when travelling to Turkey.
A communication
circulating in the industry,
warning travel agents that
visitors to Turkey would
soon have to apply for a
visa online or they may be
refused entry to the country,
is incorrect.
TNW confirmed with the
Turkish embassy in Pretoria
and other authorities that
the rules have only changed
for UK travellers, who will
no longer be able to obtain
a visa-on-arrival when
travelling to Turkey from
April. They must instead
apply for an electronic visa
(e-visa) online.
SA travellers have a choice
– they can obtain an e-visa
or a visa-on-arrival at the
airport. The e-visa will cost
the same as before and will
be emailed to travellers for
them to print out at home
after providing their name,
date and place of birth,
email address and passport
details. They will then be
required to present the
document to immigration on
arrival.
To apply for an e-visa,
travellers should log on to
www.evisa.gov.tr, provide
the requested information,
and – after the application
is approved – make online
payment and download their
e-visa. The whole process
should take no longer than
10 minutes.
An e-visa is valid only for
tourism or trade purposes.
For other purposes, such as
work or study, an application
through the embassy
or consulate must be
submitted.
