The new online based visa system allows for applications and visa fees to be paid online, allowing travelers the comfort of applying for a visa to Turkey from their home or office, thereby also easing the workload of Turkey's overseas missions.
The new electronic visa (e-Visa) system will be replacing the previous "sticker or stamp-type visa" system, which had visas issued at border crossings. From here on out, foreign nationals will be able to apply for tourism or commerce visas from any computer with an internet connection. Applicants need to simply log on to www.evisa.gov.tr and provide the information requested of them. If the application is approved, the applicant will then be requested to pay their visa fee online by credit card after which they will be e-mailed their visa which can then be downloaded and printed out. The entire process is stated to take less than ten minutes.
Travelers will be required to show their e-Visa to airport officials and customs officers and will need to carry it throughout the duration of their travel.
Applicants via the e-Visa system will only be eligible to receive visas for trade or tourism purposes. Those who will be applying for long-term work or study visas will still need to do so through the Turkish embassies or consulates abroad.
