Summary

As of April 17, 2013, electronic visa (e-Visa) replaces “sticker visa” which was issued at the border crossings.
E-Visa application is possible from any place with internet connection. Applicants just need to log on to www.evisa.gov.tr , provide the requested information, (after the application is approved) make online payment and download their e-Visa. The whole process takes no more than 10 minutes.

Citizens of these countries are eligible to apply for e-Visa: Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Greek Cypriot Administration, Grenada Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Kuwait, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, U.S.A, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

Citizens of these countries are also eligible to apply for e-Visa under certain conditions: Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iraq, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Republic of Congo, Republic of Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sao Torne and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Please note that e-visa 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.

Visit www.evisa.gov.tr to make an e-Visa application or to get further information.

DEMONSTRATIONS

Demonstrations continue to take place in Istanbul (in particular in the Taksim and Beşiktaş areas), as well as in other cities across Turkey including Ankara (Kizilay), Izmir, Adana, Antalya and Bodrum.  Police have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protestors on a number of occasions.  As it remains possible that further demonstrations could turn violent, we advise Irish citizens to exercise caution and to avoid all demonstrations, including peaceful demonstrations.  Two major pro-government rallies are scheduled to take place in Ankara and Istanbul this weekend (15 and 16 June respectively).

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before travelling to Turkey. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Irish citizens should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

Irish citizens are strongly advised against travelling  to the border area between Turkey and Syria and Turkey and Iraq due to the current instability in the region. For further information on the security situation in Turkey please refer to the Safety and Security section below.

According to the Turkish authorities’ new visa regulations, with effect from 1 February 2012, Irish citizens visiting Turkey may stay a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day period. As in the past, Irish citizens may apply for a Turkish 90 day multiple entry visa at a cost of €15 either through Turkish Embassies abroad or by purchasing the stamp at the point of entry / airport. However, Irish citizens who wish to prolong their stay in Turkey for touristic purposes must apply for a tourist residence permit from the Foreigners Police Department in their local area of residence in Turkey. The new tourist residence permit may be granted for a maximum  stay of six months.  Therefore the maximum length of time one may stay in Turkey as a tourist is nine consecutive months.

Please note that if you are travelling to Turkey on a diplomatic or official passport, you must obtain a visa prior to travel from the Turkish Embassy in Dublin. It is only possible to purchase a visa on arrival if you are travelling on your regular passport. This is a legal requirement which is strictly enforced and travellers will be refused entry to Turkey without the appropriate visa.

Any person who wishes to study, work, or reside beyond 90 days in Turkey is required to apply for the appropriate visa and/or residence permit from the Turkish authorities. Since 1 April 2011 residence permits for Irish citizens are free of charge, though a charge still applies on the purchase of the residence permit booklet.  Applications and requests for further information should be directed towards the Foreigners’ Branch of your local police station or to the nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate. Residence permits are not free of charge for all foreign nationals, so Irish citizens may find that they have to insist that this is the case when they apply for their permits.

Overstaying your visa can result in heavy fines and/or a ban on re-entering Turkey for up to five years, depending on the length of the overstay, and you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate before returning to Turkey. Departing Turkey without paying the relevant fine will lead to an automatic five year ban on re-entry.

Please note that visa requirements for Irish citizens are a matter for the Turkish immigration authorities. The Embassy of Ireland cannot intervene in individual cases relating to visas and overstays. 
 
It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

Safety and Security

We strongly advise against travelling to the border area between Turkey  and Syria. In light of the current instability.

The threat from terrorism in Turkey remains high. The terrorist problem is chiefly located in the south-east, however, there have been recent bomb attacks in major Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. While recent attacks have targeted local security forces, and have not been directed at tourists, there have been random attacks in tourist areas in other parts of the country in the past. An attack on 16 July 2005 in the Aegean resort of Kusadasi killed five people, including an Irish national. A bomb attack killed five and injured dozens in the centre of Ankara, in a district called Kizilay on 20 September 2011.    

Terrorist attacks are, by their nature, random and indiscriminate and cannot be predicted in advance. Irish citizens should take this into account in considering travel to Turkey. Those who travel there are reminded of the need to exercise the vigilance and caution, particularly in public places that are frequented by foreigners.

Areas in which demonstrations are taking place should be avoided, as they can become violent, and police will take measures such as the use of tear gas to control protesters.

In response to terrorist attacks from northern Iraq into Turkey the Turkish Parliament has authorised the Turkish military to undertake military operations along the Turkish/Iraqi border. Irish citizens are strongly advised against all travel to the border provinces of Hakkari, Siirt and Sirnak.

Care should also be taken if travelling elsewhere in the east of Turkey.   

If travelling in Istanbul it is advisable to avoid taking taxis off the street and to only use taxis ordered by your hotel or those ordered directly from a taxi kiosk.

Incidents of violent crime against tourists in Turkey are rare. Street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. There have been a number of cases of theft from apartments in some of the coastal resorts. Visitors should heed the advice of their local tour operator representative.

You should take particular care when travelling by road throughout Turkey, as road conditions and driving standards can be poor.  Serious traffic accidents are common particularly at night.

Local Laws and Customs

Turkey has strict laws against the use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs.  If you are convicted of any of these offences, you can expect to receive a heavy fine and a prison sentence of up to 15 years. The Embassy maintains a list of English speaking lawyers, but the Embassy cannot get involved in legal cases.

Normally, the dress code in Turkey is the same as in Europe, however, you should dress modestly if visiting a mosque or a religious shrine (long trousers or dress and women should wear a headscarf).  

Do not take photographs near military or official installations.  You should seek permission before photographing individuals. 

Natural Disasters and Climate

Many parts of Turkey are located in seismically active zones, including Istanbul and coastal areas visited by Irish tourists.

An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the richter scale hit Turkey's eastern Van region on Sunday 23 October 2011.   Reports indicate that more than 600 people died and approximately 2,300 people were injured.   We advise against non-essential travel to the eastern region of Turkey at this time and advise Irish citizens who are currently in the region to exercise care.

A further earthquake measuring 5.6 on the richter scale, centred south of Van, occured on 9 November 2011 killing 7 people.

Additional Country Info

Foreigners who require urgent health treatment in Turkey can dial 112 to contact the emergency health services.

A price list for health treatment in public hospitals for foreigners in Turkey can be found on this link: http://www.saglik.gov.tr/SaglikTurizmi/belge/1-13645/mandate-for-health-tourism-and-tourist-health-covers-he-.html.

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before travelling to Turkey. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) cannot be used in Turkey.

Irish citizens should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

There have been water quality issues in Turkey and visitors are advised to use bottled water whenever possible.

Irish citizens intending to purchase property in Turkey are strongly advised to consult an independent legal advisor from the beginning of the process. Procedures in relation to property purchases differ significantly from those in Ireland and investors are advised to research the matter thoroughly before entering into any agreement.

General advice on property purchases in Turkey can be found at the following links: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/guidance-for-foreigners.en.mfa; http://www.turkisheconomy.org.uk/buying_property.html

DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR MISSIONS IN TURKEY

Contact details for all Irish Missions (including Honorary Consuls) in Turkey are available here.