Going to Turkey...
 

I'm flying to Turkey in a few weeks to do some sightseeing before I head off to Tokyo on business. I'm almost positive that I need a visa just to enter the country, however, I'm not positive. I'm starting to become a little unsure about going, given everything that's gone on in the world recently. Anyone have any thoughts?

Welcome to FT JCookery!!!!!

Sorry, but I'm not sure about the visa.

My parents went to Turkey for 3+ weeks in October of 2001. Several people in their group cancelled (post-9/11 fear of flying, etc.). They travel a lot and have said that it was their best trip ever. They plan on going back next summer.

If your trip is more than a month from now, I would still go.

Here's info about Turkish visas for US Citizens (assuming that's what you are):

http://www.turkishconsulates.net/visaus.htm

Actually, even if you're not a US citizen you can get visa information on the same site.

Whether or not you want to go there in the current political climate is up to you. If it were me, I'd take advantage of the opportunity, but everyone has a different comfort level.

Whatever you do, enjoy your trip!

I was in Istanbul about this time last year, it is a really nice city visit.

Right before you hit immigration at the airport there's a booth where you buy the entry visa. You have to pay cash and at that time it was $45 I believe (the visa stamp says 45 euros on it).

I am under the impression that the visa price has increased to 100USD for U.S. Citizens

I asked a close (American) friend of mine who lives in Ankara the question, two weeks ago. He said it was $45. The US State Department's website also says this amount:

http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html#t

TURKEY - *Passport and visa required. Visas can be obtained at Turkish border crossing points for tourist/business visits up to 3 months or through a Turkish consular office in the U.S. Visa requires a letter stating purpose of trip and $45 fee (cash or money order only). Visa must be obtained in advance for visits lasting longer stays, and for study, research, or employment purposes. For further information, contact the Consular Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, 2525 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008 (202/612-6740/41) or nearest Consulate: CA (323/937-0118), IL (312/263-0644), NY (212/949-0160) or TX (713/622-5849).

[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 03-17-2003).]

When I entered Turkey in November the fee was indeed $100 (or 100 euro if you prefer) to get a visa placed in my US passport. You do get a little extra for your money though - I got two of the old EUR 45 stickers plus one of the EUR 10 stickers the other nationalities get! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

There seems to be a surprising number of supposedly reliable information sources that aren't up to date on this. (When I went on my trip fodors.com still said $20!) The list of Foreign Entry Requirements from the Department of State Web site apparently still lists the old $45 fee - not surprising since that page was updated in May 2002 and that's what the fee was at that time. If you check the latest Consular Information Sheet for Turkey on travel.state.gov, you'll see it reflects the increased visa fee.

Sorry to be a burster of bubbles but just remember, if the Turkish authorities wanted to be really, really fair they'd match the US visa fees as a percentage of per-capita income and you'd be paying more like $500 to enter the country. So consider yourself lucky - it's the people on the other end who really got screwed.

For U.S. passport holders, here is the exact wording for the visa requirement (taken from the Turkish Tourism website):

If you would like to get your visa upon arrival to Turkey, you will be required to have the followings:

1- Original Passport (at least valid for the next three months) (Photocopies of the passport are not accepted for processing visa)
2- A non-refundable processing fee of $100.- per person. (Exact amount of U.S. currency is required at the entry point)

Thanks for the update, all. Guess you can't trust the locals http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif.

I'm suppose to be in Ankara in late April. Guess I'll need to take a crisp hundred with me.

As of this morning, US gov't is suggesting that non-essential travel to Turkey be postponed. But who knows - by late April that might be lifted. And today's warning also said don't go to Turkey near the Iraq border, which I think your stay wouldn't be near! I got my visa at the Turkish counsel office in LA (since I live in the LA area); not a biggie to do. Sounds like you can get it now at the border, which you couldn't do a few years ago. I quite enjoyed my trip to Turkey; hope you do too.

I obtained a visa at the arrival airports (IST or ESB) all three of my previous visits. This was in 1990, 1993, and 1998.

As to making the trip. I'm on an award, that I can essentially cancel up until I leave. No ground arrangements, as I'm staying with friends.

100USD Since 01/11/02. I had one for USD65 in summer. Then 100 during Thanksgiving. You'll arrive into the main passport control at the airport, the Visa/Stamp counter is on the side.

jcookery, could you please email me?

many thanks...

March 17—The U.S. State Dept. issued a public announcement alerting U.S. citizens to increased security concerns in southeast Turkey, especially along the Turkey/Iraq border. In addition, the announcement alerts U.S. citizens that the State Dept. has authorized the departure of family members at the U.S. Consulate in Adana, Turkey, and the Department of Defense has authorized the departure of family members at Incirlik Airbase in Adana, Turkey, on a voluntary basis. U.S. citizens are warned to defer non-essential travel to southeast Turkey. U.S. citizens in southeast Turkey should consider departing.

Seems Turkey does the reciprocity thing like Chile and Brazil--their fees went up to $100 on November 1, 2002, the day the fee to receive a US visa increased to $100. At least Chile's visa is good for the life of the passport, and Brazil gives you a 5-year multiple entry most of the time. Sounds like Turkey's $100 visa is a one-shot deal--ouch! Anyone know of other countries that impose the reciprocal fee?

I've been to Turkey three times now (Istanbul and Ankara) and there is generally nothing to worry about. The travel advisory for travel near the Iraq border is due to civil unrest with Turkish Kurds (Kurds live in Iran, Iraq, Turkey) and their resistance to Turkish authority - they wish to be autonomous. This advisory has been in effect for years.

While in Ankara, I stayed at the Merit Altinel (not bad). There is a FABULOUS restaurant that serves Kebaps (a well known dish) which I forget the name of, but apparently its THE place to be for the business crowd. Any hotel should be able to direct you there.

My other favourite restaurant is the Kale Washington, which is at the top of the hill on Castle Ankara. You get a nice view of Ankara up there in the evening.

For a but of Turkish history, there's Ataturk's Mausoleum which contains a bit of WWI history from the "Ottoman" perspective and forward. This is atop another hill surrounded by lights and gardens (just up from the Merit Altinel hotel).

Some Turks speak English, but most of them speak German as a second language. It's not as exciting as Istanbul, but Ankara does have a "calm" nature which is comforting.

Good luck!

I've posted on this ad nauseum before in other threads but will make a few comments:

1) It is $100 and has been for about 5 months. It was $65 for about 6 mnonths before that. $45 for about 3 years before that. $20 for about two years before that. Previous to November 1, 1994 there was no visa fee for US or many other citizens. The imposition of the $20 fee and all of its raises up to $65 were all instigated by the Turkish government (specifically a bigoted foreign minister way back when named Mumtaz Soysal).

2) The GDP thing is idiotic as in fact Turks get a 10 year visa for $100, while US citizens only get 3 months. Therefore US people pay 4000 DOLLARS for the same thing (so the GDP of Turkey would be about 8 times worse than was implied above). In any case the resiprocity is TOTALLY hit or miss as Brits pay 10 GBP for 3 months, while Turks pay something like 80 GBP for a similar visa. The Turks claim that EU citizens need no vise, however about half the countries need them. In any case its always available at the airport so it is instead an entry fee.

Lastly,

Istanbul is over 500 miles from the Iraqi border, no travel advisories are in effect fro Western Turkey nor shall they be. The Turks are friendly and although "anti" war are that way almost purely and exclusively out of economic and stability fear (N. Iraq) do not hesitate to come here its perfectly safe.

3. The Brazilians started the fee thing. Prior to the Brazilians started charging for visas both US and Brazilains got free visas. Interestingly enough the Brazilians like to cover this up a bit through some vebiage which reads something like "the visa is free but we charge to process it". The US instituted the increases the last time around