Turkey Visas and International Flights Resumes for US

Updated Safety Measures on Pandemic

For all avid tourists and travelers in the U.S., there is good news… Turkey has started issuing tourist visas to American citizens and all other countries.

The spat that started between the United States and Turkey in October 2020, is now fully resolved. The U.S. embassy in Turkey announced to resume U.S. visa services in Turkey and shortly after that, the Turkey e visa services were restored for American travelers. The spat occurred because the U.S. halted issuing visas to travelers from Turkey. In response to that, Turkey also barred Americans from using the Turkish e visa system. Now the e-visa system is available for U.S. passport holders, and they can start applying for Turkish single, double, and multiple-entry e-visas.

Now American citizens don’t have to go through the time-consuming process of applying for a Turkish visa through an embassy or consulate. You can now easily apply for a visa online like before. The Turkey application process is extremely easy and quick. These are the key steps to follow to apply for Visa to Turkey.

• Open the Turkey visa application form.
• Select U.S.A. in the Country/Region box.
• Select the travel document (standard U.S. passport).
• Enter the expected arrival date in Turkey. (Please note that you may only select a date at least 3 months in advance of the date of applying).
• In the Bio section, provide your name, parents’ names, date/place of birth, email address, physical address, and phone number.
• Enter your passport details, including passport number, and date of issue/expiry.
• Verify the information.
• Make the payment for the e-visa. You can check here Turkey visa cost. You must pay online using a debit/credit card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard are accepted) or use your PayPal account.
• Submit the application.

COVID-19 Related Latest Updates:

The Turkish government has imposed a general curfew from December 1 onward. The entire country will be closed every weeknight between 9 p.m. and 5 p.m., from Mon to Fri. From December 4, the country will start observing weekend curfew. It will commence from 9 p.m. on Friday and continue until 5 a.m. on Monday.

Moreover, people aged 65 or above and individuals 20 years or younger won’t be allowed to use public transportation.

Important Guidelines Regarding Newly Imposed Curfew

Greengrocers, supermarkets, bakeries, and butchers will remain open during the weekend Turkey curfew between 10:00 to 17:00. People can purchase essential goods and groceries from their nearest store that is at a walking distance because driving is not allowed. Moreover, people 65 or above and young adults aged 20 or below will observe stricter restrictions on movement.

Health workers, production/manufacturing/supple chains will be exempted from both the weekend and weekday curfews.

Intercity travel during the curfew hours (for the weekend and weekday curfews) will be authorized under specific circumstances. These include:

• If the person has gotten discharged from hospital after completion of treatment and returning to their residence.
• The person has a medical appointment prescribed by a certified doctor.
• The person has to attend the funeral of a first-degree relative, including father, mother, sister, brother, daughter, or son), or needs to accompany others to transfer the remains. (no more than 4 people will be authorized).
• If the person has arrived in the city within the past five days and want to return to their place of residence because of unavailability of accommodation. The person must possess a valid travel ticket, travel documents, or vehicle license plate.
• If the person needs to attend central exams or any examination announced by the Ministry of Education.
• If the person has finished military service and wants to result to their original residence.
• If the person needs to undertake new public or private work opportunities.
• The person was released from penal institutions.

Furthermore, all training and academic activities for preschoolers and kindergarten have been suspended. Restaurants can operate on a delivery-only basis only from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• To enter shopping malls, the visitors must show a H.E.S. code, which can be acquired via a smartphone app.
• Other facilities such as Turkish baths, swimming pools, massage parlours, saunas, and amusement parks will stay closed until further notice.
• People are urged to avoid crowded areas and not have gatherings.
• Shopping malls, hairdressers, and supermarkets cannot operate beyond 10:00 to 20:00. Cafes, cinemas, tea gardens, soccer fields, hookah lounges, electronic/internet game halls, and billiard halls will also remain closed.

Guidelines for Tourists and Visitors:

Foreign tourists and anyone visiting Turkey temporarily will be exempt from travel permit requirements and curfew-related restrictions. Travelers having hotel reservations will be allowed to travel in private vehicles without acquiring additional permission. However, they must mandatorily carry travel reservations and accommodation documents. Smoking is prohibited in public spaces.

Foreign travelers can enter and exit Turkey without any specific limitations. A negative COVID-19 test isn’t necessary unless there are any symptoms detected in the visitor. If this happens, a PCR test will become mandatory.

At the airports and all other ports of entry, including seal and land, the Turkish government has imposed COVID-19 control measures. Passengers arriving in Turkey will need to complete an information form and get themselves checked for coronavirus symptoms. If the visitor shows signs, they will be transported to a health care facility and will have to self-isolate.