Turkey – a mesmerising country brimming with culture, architecture, scrumptious cuisine, dramatic landscapes and shopping galore. Turkey is becoming a firm favourite amongst South African travellers, and it’s easy to see why with its value for money and rustic charm. The award-winning Turkish Airlines offers 14 return flights between Istanbul and South Africa. Flights operate from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, so you’re bound to find the flight you’re looking for. We’ve included all you need to know about how to apply for your Turkey visa, so all that’s left to do is pack your bags and jet off!
Getting your Turkish tourist visa is a painless process that shouldn’t take you longer than 10 minutes. The simple online process is designed to issue your visa within 48 hours. South African passport holders used to be able to get their visa stamped on arrival, but now you are required to apply for your visa at least 48 hours before your flight and keep the printed out copy with you.
Please note this process applies to South African passport holders.
Types of Visas
Depending on your reason for entering Turkey, there are different visas you’ll need to obtain.
Tourist Visa – multiple-entry visa for tourists. Business travellers can also use this visa to attend business meetings or conferences.
Student Visa – for accepted international students wishing to study in Turkey. You must apply for the visa in person at your nearest embassy or consulate before entering Turkey.
Work Visa – apply at your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate. Please consult the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security for detailed requirements.
Research Visa – researchers wanting to carry out academic research must apply at their nearest Turkish embassy or consulate.
For more visa information on living and working in Turkey, please consult the Turkey expat guide.
Validity
The Turkey visa for tourists and business travellers is valid for 180 days. You may enter Turkey any time within those 180 days, but you may not stay for longer than 30 consecutive days, otherwise you’ll need to apply for a residence permit, or risk paying a hefty fine for overstaying your visit. For all visa applications, your South African passport must be valid for at least six months from your intended date of arrival in Turkey.
Visa Costs
South African passport holders visiting Turkey on holiday can apply for their Turkey visa at no cost. Simply follow the online process, select that you are a South African citizen and your e-visa will be issued free of charge. It’s that simple!
For work permits and resident visas:
| Work Permit Fee (valid for 1 year) | USD156 / R1891 |
| Residence Permit Fee | USD25 (1st month), USD5 each month thereafter |
| Residence Permit Card Fee | USD19 / R221 |
*Please note these prices were correct at the time of publication, and are subject to change.
Prices are calculated from the US Dollar. Payments may only be made via Mastercard, Visa and UnionPay cards. Payments should be made within 15 days of your application being approved.
Turkey Visa Requirements
When applying for the tourist visa, you do not require any documents or photos. Simply fill out the online application, submit, wait to receive an email and print your e-Visa.
For work permit requirements and processes, you can consult this visa document checklist or contact the Turkish Embassy for updated information.
For more information on other types of Turkey visas, please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Where to Apply
Online:
The online process is very straightforward. You are advised to create your e-Visa application via the Electronic Visa Application System at least 48 hours before departure. Once your application is submitted, you should receive an email with your e-Visa. Print this out and keep it with your travel documents.
At the Embassy:
If you need to apply for a non-tourist visa or visits longer than 30 days, you will need to apply in person at the Turkish Embassy in Pretoria. To make an appointment at the embassy, simply complete the online form.
The issuing process may take up to 30 days, and you will be informed via email once your visa is ready.
Turkish Embassy, Pretoria:
| Address: | 1067 Stanza Bopape St, Hatfield, Pretoria |
| Contact Number: | 012 342 6053/54 |
| Email Address: | embassy.pretoria@mfa.gov.tr |
| Opening Hours: | 09:00 – 16:00 / 09:00 – 11:00 (visa applications) |
| Passport Collection: | Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays |
For assistance with your non-tourist Turkey visa application, Travelstart will gladly assist you with a free visa quote and evaluation from our partners at Visa Box.
Where to Print Documents and Take Photos
UVO
| Address: | 1038 Pretorius St, Hatfield, Pretoria |
| Contact Number: | 0124239460/ heilet@uvocommunication.co.za |
ART 2 PRINT
| Address: | 281 Festival St, Hatfield, Pretoria |
| Contact Number: | 012 430 2309 |
Now that you have your Turkey visa, the wonderful cities of Ankara, Istanbul and Antalya await! Let us know about your experience of getting your Turkey visa in the comments below. And remember to sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about our fantastic flight specials to Turkey!
Disclaimer:
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice from the original source. Travelstart is not affiliated with immigration authorities or their application centres and will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of information from this website.
Image Credits:
turkey_home via Instagram
antalya.city via Instagram
Good article… keep posting..
Hi, is Turkey e-visa for all countries?
Thank you so in advance,
Michael.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for reaching out.
I’m afraid not. It is not like a Schengen Visa and would only cover the passenger for entering Turkey.
As South Africans, my wife and I want to visit Turkey in December 2020 with the goal to obtain a touristic residence permit.
I have 3 questions:
1. What are the best ways of getting the touristic residence permit?
2. Is it possible to apply for a 3-months visa (not the e-Visa with multiple-entry visa where we have to leave Turkey after 30 days – it will be too costly to go to another country only to go back again) and only once we have arrived in Turkey apply for the residence permit?
3. Is it better to work through a lawyer in Turkey to make sure all paperwork is done 100% correct, or do you provide the necessary services? If not, what are your best recommendations?
Best,
Izak
Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in residence permits. For this you would need to contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency for the most up to date information.
They will be able to provide you with the most up to date information on the correct procedure to follow, what documents are required and the cost.
Hello, I am a Congolese DRC staying in South Africa, I have my valid passeport as well as a document that proved that I have been allowed to stay in South Africa, I would like to know what is the requirements for me to travel to Turkey using a tourism visa.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the correct procedures to follow when applying for a tourist visa, what documents are required and the cost.
Hi there was curious as too how much a student visa will cost?
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in student visa’s.
Please contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency they will be able to advise what documents would be required, the correct procedures to follow and cost.
hi iam MR SHARKAR I NEED TO KNOW MY PARTNER IN SOUTHAFRICA WITH TRP(TEMPOREARY RESIDENT PERMIT) WE DOING BUSINESS BUT I WANT TO SEND HIM TURKEY FOR LOOKING SOME SWEET PRODUCT TO BRING SOUTH AFRICA I NEED A VISA FOR HIM WHAT REQUIREMENT DO HE NEEDS PLS INFORM ME
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
You welcome to read our blog Everything you need to know about applying for your Turkey visa
As visa information can change at anytime, we do recommend you contact the Embassy direct as they will be able to provide you with the most up to date information with regards to visa requirements and correct procedures to follow.
Hi. I have a South African Permanent Residence. Will I have to formally apply for a Turkish visa at the embassy or can I do an E-Visa?
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
This depends on what passport you are travelling on.
Please contact the Embassy direct. They will advise if a visa or e-visa is required, what documents are required, the correct procedures to follow when applying and the cost.
I would like to know if someone from Turkey needs a Visa to Enter SA and Botswana?
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
my husband and i are traveling to Turkey in a few weeks and have tried a number of times to apply for an e visa, and to date have not received any e mail confirmation . we have both checked spam and trash boxes …..nothing .
please help
Hi Belinda,
Sorry to hear you struggling with applying for your Turkish e-visa.
I would suggest contacting the Turkish Embassy direct as they are the ones granting the visa, they should be able to check on the back end and advise on the way forward.
We do hope you manage to come right. Enjoy your time in amazing Turkey.
Pretoria Turkish Embassy – Consular Section
Telephone No : (012) 342-6053/ 54
I applied through Crest Travel and it’s free
Hi, just enquiring if the Turkish tourist Visa is still valid for 180 days?
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Please note that an e-visa for South African passport holder is only valid when the purpose of travel is tourism or commerce. Other purposes, such as work and study, require regular visa given by Embassies or Consulates.
Those staying longer than 30 days should apply for their visa at the Embassy in Pretoria before departure
Visa rules and regulations often change, so we recommend you contact the Embassy direct for the most up to date information.
Pretoria Turkish Embassy – Consular Section
Telephone No : (012) 342-6053/ 54
Fax No : (012) 342-6052
Postal Address : P.O. Box 56014, Arcadia 0007
Street Address : 573 Fehrsen Street, Pretoria, 0081
Email Address : embassy.pretoria@mfa.gov.tr
Website : http://www.visa.gov.tr
Hi
I am Patrick living and working in sout Africa I am from Congo DRC ,would like to go for annually leave of 10 days to have fun in Turkey how can you make it easy for me.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the correct procedures to follow, what documentation will be required and the cost.
Hi
I bought my ticket for Turkey today and my flight will be on Saturday 17.20, I have my accommodation booked and my e-visa completed, My passport has been valid since 12th September 2018. Will this now be a problem for me to enter into the country?
I am very concerned now 🙁
Hi Gouwa,
Thanks for contacting us. What seems to be your concern?
You welcome to contact the Embassy direct. They will be able to answer any visa related queries you might have.
Pretoria Turkish Embassy – Consular Section
Telephone No : (012) 342-6053/ 54
Hello! I am applying for a turkish student visa and I would like to know how much that is before i head for my appointment
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for getting in touch
I’m afraid we do not specialise in student visa’s so would not able to advise on the cost.
I would suggest contacting the Embassy direct and they will be able to assist.
Pretoria Turkish Embassy – Consular Section
Telephone No : (012) 342-6053/ 54
Fax No : (012) 342-6052
Postal Address : P.O. Box 56014, Arcadia 0007
Street Address : 573 Fehrsen Street, Pretoria, 0081
Email Address : embassy.pretoria@mfa.gov.tr
Website : http://www.visa.gov.tr
Hi, I just applied for the Visa. If I understood correctly the Visa is free, however if you do the application on behalf of me I have to pay 450 Rand per person for your service, is that correct?
So if I apply by myself through https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en
I dont pay anything.
regards
Elem
Hi Elem,
Travelstart don’t specialise in visa applications for clients. However if you go through an official visa handling agency they would charge a service fee.
If you hold a South African passport and apply for your Turkish visa online, it would be free.
Hi Marcelle,
thank you for your reply.
I applied through the mentioned website and got the visa to my email address within 24
hours and it was for free 🙂
Awesome 🙂 E-visa’s for Turkey are so easy to apply for and free. If only all visa process’s could be so quick and at no cost 😀
I see online the cost for a turkish visa is 20 USD (for South Africans). But your webpage says its free? Can you clarify?
Hi Alanna,
My colleague just applied for a Turkish visa a month ago online and it was free.
South African passport holders visiting Turkey on holiday can apply for their Turkey visa at no cost. Simply follow the online process, select that you are a South African citizen and your e-visa will be issued free of charge.
You welcome to contact the Embassy direct who will provide you with the most up to date information.
Pretoria Turkish Embassy – Consular Section
Telephone No : (012) 342-6053/ 54
Very informative article, will be making life easier for many who aspire to apply for a visa.
Am a Nigerian but my wife is a south african. How do i get a turkish tourist visa since she can get her own done online via e-visa, what about mine? Thank you!
Hi Michael,
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
I want to go to instambul.
Am Doryn a ugandan residing in capetown.can i use my ugandan pasport from capetown to turkey?i want to go and work
Hi Doryn,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to assist in answering any questions you might have.
I applied for a job in Turkey I am asked to deposit 2000usd into my name and pay point is turkey western union
How do I know if tis is valid
Please advise
Hi Mahmood,
I’m afraid we do not specialise in work visa. I would suggest doing some research on this company who have asked you to pay this money upfront, as well as contact the Embassy direct to see if they have heard of this company.