Guide for Business Visitors to Turkey
A sizable number of the millions of tourists that flock to Turkey each year are there on business. What documentation is required to enter the country as a foreign national visiting Turkey for business? You can find all the information you need for business trips to Turkey in our guide.
There are several prospects for foreign businesses and entrepreneurs in significant cities like Istanbul and Ankara, which are business hubs.
What documentation is required to enter the country as a foreign national visiting Turkey for business? What information is necessary for conducting business with Turkish firms? What distinguishes travel for business from travel for employment in Turkey? You can find all the information you need for business trips to Turkey in our guide.
Who Is A Business Visitor?
A person who travels to another nation for international business purposes but does not immediately enter that nation's labour market is referred to as a business visitor.
In practice, this means that a business visitor to Turkey may participate in business meetings, negotiations, site visits, or training on Turkish soil, but will not be performing any actual work there.
Note - People seeking employment on Turkish soil are not regarded as business visitors and must get a work visa.
What Are The Activities That A Business Visitor Can Participate In While In Turkey?
When visiting Turkey for business, visitors can interact with local colleagues and business partners in a variety of ways. These consist of:
- Meetings and/or discussions for business
- Attending trade shows, conferences, and other events
- Courses or training at a Turkish company's invitation
- Visiting websites that belong to the visitor's business or websites that they intend to purchase or invest in.
- Trading products or services for a business or a foreign government
What Is Required From A Business Visitor To Enter Turkey?
The following documentation is required for business travellers to Turkey:
- A passport good for six (6) months following the date of entry into Turkey
- A working Turkish business visa or eVisa
You can apply for business visas in person at a Turkish embassy or consulate. An invitation letter from the Turkish firm or group sponsoring the visit is one of the documents needed for this.
One alternative for citizens of qualifying nations is to apply for a Turkish visa online. This eVisa has the following benefits:
- A more rapid and straightforward application process
- Instead of visiting an embassy, it can be submitted from the convenience of the applicant's home or place of employment.
- No standing in line or waiting at consulates or embassy
To find out which nationalities can apply, look at the Turkey e-Visa requirements. The 180-day validity period for Turkey eVisas begins on the application date.
What Are Some Things You Must Know While Doing Business In Turkey?
Turkey, a nation with an intriguing blend of cultures and mindsets, is on the dividing line between Europe and Asia. Large Turkish cities like Istanbul have a similar vibe to other major European cities because of their close relations with Europe and other Western nations. But even in business, there are customs in Turkey, so it is necessary to know what to expect.
Business customs and culture in Turkey
Turkish people are renowned for their politeness and hospitality, and this is also true in the business sector. They usually offer guests a cup of Turkish coffee or a glass of tea, which should be accepted to get the conversation going.
The following are the essentials for forging fruitful business ties in Turkey:
- Be kind and respectful.
- Get to know the people you do business with by striking up a discussion with them beforehand.
- Do a business card trade.
- Do not set deadlines or apply other pressure techniques.
- Avoid discussing touchy historical or political subjects like the division of Cyprus.
Turkish taboos and body language
In order for a business connection to succeed, it is crucial to comprehend Turkish culture and how it may influence communication. There are some topics and actions that are considered a taboo in the country. It is wise to be prepared because Turkish customs may appear strange or even uncomfortable to tourists from other countries.
First and foremost, it is crucial to keep in mind that Turkey is a Muslim nation. It is crucial to respect the religion and its rituals, even though it is not as conservative as some other Islamic countries.
It is crucial to avoid disrespecting any of your business partner's relatives because family is revered.
Even actions and facial expressions that seem innocent to a tourist may be offensive in Turkey.
One or more of the following are instances.
- Hands placed on hips
- Pocketing your hands
- Exposing your foot's soles
Additionally, tourists should be aware that Turks frequently stand very near to their conversation partners. Although it could be unsettling to share such little personal space with others, this is typical in Turkey and poses no threat.
What Exactly is a Turkish e-Visa?
The official entry permit for Turkey is the electronic visa for Turkey. Citizens of eligible nations can easily obtain an e-Visa for Turkey through an online application form.
The e-Visa has taken the place of the "sticker visa" and "stamp-type" visa that were previously issued at border crossings.
With the aid of an Internet connection, qualified travellers can apply for an eVisa for Turkey. An online Turkish visa application requires the applicant to provide personal information like:
- Full name as it appears on their passport
- Date and place of birth
- Information about your passport, such as when it was issued and when it expires
An online Turkey visa application can take up to 24 hours to be processed.
Once it is approved, the e-Visa is immediately sent to the applicant's email.
At points of entry, passport control officers look up the status of the Turkish eVisa in their database. However, applicants must have a paper or electronic copy of their Turkish visa with them on their trip.
Who Needs A Visa To Travel To Turkey?
Foreigners must obtain a visa before entering Turkey, unless they belong to a nation that has been declared as visa free.
To obtain a visa for Turkey, citizens of various countries must visit an embassy or consulate. However, applying for a Turkey e-Visa simply takes a short period of time for the visitor to complete the online form. Turkish e-Visa application processing can take up to 24 hours, therefore applicants should plan accordingly.
Travelers who want an urgent Turkish eVisa can submit their application using the priority service for a guaranteed 1-hour processing time.
Citizens of more than 50 nations can obtain an e-Visa for Turkey. For the most part, entering Turkey requires a passport that is at least five months old.
Visa applications at embassies or consulates are not required for citizens of more than 50 countries. They can instead receive their electronic visa for Turkey through the online process.
What Can A Digital Visa For Turkey Be Used For?
Transit, leisure, and business travel are all permitted with the electronic visa for Turkey. Applicants must hold a passport from one of the eligible countries listed below.
Turkey is a stunning country with incredible sights. Three of Turkey's most stunning sights are Aya Sofia, Ephesus, and Cappadocia.
Istanbul is a bustling city with fascinating mosques and gardens. Turkey is renowned for its rich culture, fascinating history, and stunning architecture. A Turkey e-Visa enables you to do business and attend conferences and events. Additionally suitable for usage while in transit is the electronic visa.
Turkey Entry Requirements: Do I Need a Visa?
For access into Turkey from a number of nations, visas are necessary. Citizens of more than 50 countries can obtain an electronic visa for Turkey without visiting an embassy or consulate.
Travelers who meet the eVisa requirements receive either a single entrance visa or a multiple entry visa depending on their country of origin.
A 30- to 90-day stay is the longest that can be booked with an eVisa.
Some nationalities can visit Turkey without a visa for a brief period of time. The majority of EU citizens are able to enter for up to 90 days without a visa. For up to 30 days without a visa, several nationalities - including Costa Rica and Thailand - are allowed admission, and Russian residents are allowed entry for up to 60 days.
Three (3) kinds of international visitors visiting Turkey are separated based on their country of origin.
- Visa-free countries
- Countries that accept eVisa Stickers as evidence of the need for visas
- Nations that are ineligible for the evisa
The necessary visas for each country are listed below.
Turkey's multiple-entry visa
If visitors from the nations mentioned below fulfil the additional Turkey eVisa conditions, they can obtain a multiple-entry visa for Turkey. They are permitted a maximum of 90 days, and occasionally 30 days, in Turkey.
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bermuda
Canada
China
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Haiti
Hong Kong BNO
Jamaica
Kuwait
Maldives
Mauritius
Oman
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Taiwan
United Arab Emirates
United States of America
Turkey's single-entry visa
The following nations' citizens can obtain a single-entry eVisa for Turkey. They are permitted a maximum of 30 days in Turkey.
Algeria
Afghanistan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Cambodia
Cape Verde
East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Fiji
Greek Cypriot Administration
India
Iraq
Lybia
Mexico
Nepal
Pakistan
Palestinian Territory
Philippines
Senegal
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Yemen
Nationalities that are permitted entry to Turkey without a visa
Not every foreigner needs a visa to enter Turkey. For a brief while, visitors from certain nations can enter without a visa.
Some nationalities are permitted entry to Turkey without a visa. They are as follows:
All EU citizens
Brazil
Chile
Japan
New Zealand
Russia
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Depending on nationality, visa-free trips might last anywhere from 30 to 90 days over a 180-day period.
Only tourist-related activities are allowed without a visa; a suitable entrance permit is required for all other visits.
Nationalities that do not qualify for a Turkey eVisa
These nations' citizens are unable to apply online for a Turkish visa. They must apply for a conventional visa through a diplomatic post because they do not match the conditions for a Turkey eVisa:
Cuba
Guyana
Kiribati
Laos
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Myanmar
Nauru
North Korea
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
South Sudan
Syria
Tonga
Tuvalu
To schedule a visa appointment, visitors from these nations should get in touch with the Turkish embassy or consulate nearest them.
Check your eligibility for Turkey e-Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 3 days in advance of your flight. Australian citizens, South African citizens and United States citizens can apply for Turkey e-Visa.
