Travel To Turkey with A Criminal Record
If you have a criminal past, you might feel anxious about visiting Turkey. You may be constantly worrying that you might be stopped at the border and denied entry. The good news is that it is extremely unlikely that you will be turned away at the Turkish border due to a criminal record if you have been successful in obtaining a visa for Turkey.
Can Someone with a Criminal Record Visit Turkey?
If you have a criminal past, you might feel anxious about visiting Turkey. You may be constantly worrying that you might be stopped at the border and denied entry. The internet is full of contradictory information, which can only add to the confusion.
The good news is that it is extremely unlikely that you will be turned away at the Turkish border due to a criminal record if you have been successful in obtaining a visa for Turkey. The relevant authorities conduct a background investigation after you submit your visa application before deciding whether to approve it.
The background investigation uses security databases, so if they determine that you pose a threat, they will deny your visa. It just takes a few minutes to complete the online Turkey visa application, and it is processed quickly.
Do You Need a Visa to Enter Turkey If You Have A Criminal Record?
If you have a visa, the government has already conducted a background investigation and determined that you do not constitute a security risk and are therefore welcome. Nevertheless, several nationalities do not require a visa to enter Turkey.
Turkey receives intelligence from nations that do not require visas, so when individuals enter the country without one, border officials may do background checks that may include criminal history.
On the off chance that border security personnel inquire about visitors' backgrounds, it is imperative that they provide accurate responses. In most cases, it is unimportant if you have a criminal history.
People who have committed a particularly serious crime including violence, smuggling, or terrorism are typically denied entrance. Travellers are quite unlikely to experience any issues at the border if they have less significant crimes that did not result in any jail time (or very little).
Application For A Turkish Visa While Having A Criminal Record
There are several different sorts of visas for Turkey, and each one has a unique application process. The Turkey eVisa and the visa on arrival are the two (2) most widely used types of tourist visas.
37 nationalities, including those from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, are eligible for the visa on arrival. 90 different countries can currently obtain the eVisa, which was introduced in 2018.
The tourist must fill out the application and pay the cost at the border in order to receive a visa on arrival. At the border, the application is processed, which involves a background investigation. Minor convictions, once more, are unlikely to produce issues.
Many tourists choose to apply for the Turkey eVisa in advance for peace of mind because, once you have it, you will not have to worry when you arrive in Turkey or pass the border. You will not be turned away at the border because your eVisa has already been accepted.
Additionally, eVisa is a lot more effective than a visa on arrival. Instead of standing in line and waiting at the border, applicants can apply from the convenience of their homes. As long as the applicant has a valid passport from one of the approved countries and a credit or debit card to pay the price, the Turkey eVisa application form can be finished in a few minutes.
Who Is Eligible for a Turkey e-Visa Under the Visa Policy for Turkey?
Depending on their country of origin, foreign travellers to Turkey are divided into 3 categories.
- Visa-free nations
- Nations that accept eVisa
- Stickers as proof of visa requirement
Below are listed the various countries' visa requirements.
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
Conditions unique to the Turkey eVisa
Foreign nationals from certain nations who qualify for the single-entry visa must fulfil one or more of the following unique Turkey eVisa requirements:
- Authentic visa or residency permit from a Schengen nation, Ireland, the UK, or the US. Visas and residence permits issued electronically are not accepted.
- Utilize an airline that has been authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Keep your hotel reservation.
- Possess proof of sufficient financial resources ($50 per day)
- The requirements for the country of citizenship of the traveller must be verified.
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.
READ MORE:
The Turkish eVisa is simple to obtain and may be applied for in just a few minutes from the comfort of your home. Depending on the applicant's nationality, a 90-day or 30-day stay in Turkey may be granted with an electronic visa. Learn about them at E-visa for Turkey: What Is Its Validity?
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.
