A Complete Travel Guide to Explore the Beauty of Turkey

Turkey is a dream destination with its beautiful streets of Istanbul and the fairytale-like scenery of Cappadocia. In case you are living in the UAE and you are planning a visit to this culturally diverse state, then the first thing to organize is your Turkey visa in UAE. Be it a short vacation, a visit to your relatives, or a trip to see the historical marvels, knowledge of the process of obtaining a visa will make the journey easy and stress-free. This guide will take you through the steps, documents and travel tips that will make your Turkish adventure successful.

These are the Most Significant Things to Consider before Travelling to Turkey

1. Visa Requirements of UAE Residents

The visa requirements of the UAE residents are differentiated on the basis of nationality:

• The UAE Citizens (Emirati passport holders) do not require a visa to enter Turkey and stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
• The expatriates residing in the UAE have to obtain a visa depending on their nationality. Most people qualify to get the Turkey e-Visa and some require a sticker visa to be obtained at the Turkish consulate.

Tip: Citizens of countries like India, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines can only receive a Turkey e-Visa in case they have a valid UAE residence visa and a valid US, UK, Schengen area, or Ireland visa or residence permit.

2. UAE Resident Turkey Visas Types

Two types of visas are available to travelers residing in the UAE:

a. Turkey e-Visa

• Issued online
• Business trips or tourism usually require it
• Up to 90 days (single entry or multiple entry)
  
  

b. Sticker Visa (Consulate Visa)

• Applicants who are not eligible to the e-Visa are required to have it
• The application is done personally at the Turkish Consulate or VFS Global Center

 Tips: In case you are qualified to get the e-Visa, the online procedure is faster, and it takes a minimum of 30 minutes in the majority of cases.

3. Each Visa Type Requirements

One should get the right documents to prevent delays.

In case of e-Visa Applications:

• A passport with a validity of 6 months or more
• 6 months or more UAE residence visa
• Valid visa/residence permit to US, UK, Schengen or Ireland (where necessary)
• Visa fee to be paid by debit or credit card
• A proper email address to deliver the e-Visa
• In case of Sticker Visa Applications:
• Filled visa application form (typed and signed)
• Copy of original passport and a copy
• Copy of residence visa in UAE
• Two recent passport size pictures with white background
• The previous 3 months bank statement
• Employer or sponsor no-objection letter
• Hotel booking and return flight ticket
• Good travel health insurance
• Receipt of paying visa fee

Note: You may be asked to provide more documents based on your personal or travel history.

4. Applying a Turkey Visa in the UAE

e-Visa Process:

• Go to the official e-Visa site: www.evisa.gov.tr
• Choose your nationality and travel information
• Enter residency and passport data
• Visa fee payment (it is approximately 60-100 dollars)
• Print and download the e-Visa which has been approved and sent to your email

Sticker Visa Process:

• Book an appointment with VFS Global or Turkish Consulate in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
• Fill in the online visa application form
• Get the necessary papers ready
• Go to your appointment and give your biometrics
• Pay the visa fee
• Process Wait 5-15 working days

 Tip: Submit at least 3 weeks before the planned date of travel to prevent delays.

5. Entry conditions and Visa Validity

The majority of tourist visas are valid:

• Single/multiple entries
• Up to 30 or 90 days stays
• An 180-day period of validity after issue
• It is important not to overstay your visa because it may result in fines, deportation or rejection of future visas.

 Entry Tip: It is always good to have a printed copy of your visa, your back ticket, and hotel reservations when you travel.

6. Travel Tips to Turkey by UAE Residents

When your visa is all in order, here are some tips on traveling:

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY). Get the best rates by using local exchange services.

Weather: Spring (April-June) and Autumn (September-October) are the best travel time.

Language: The official language is Turkish, but English is widely used in the tourist regions.

Connectivity: Purchase a local SIM card (e.g. Turkcell or Vodafone) to access the internet.

Food: Turkish food is a combination of meat, vegetarian, and sweet food. Do not forget to taste baklava and Turkish tea.

Packing Tip: When you visit mosques, wear something modest, and wear comfortable shoes to walk around historical places.

7. Best Tourist Destinations to Include in Your Itinerary

Istanbul: See Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and go shopping at the Grand Bazaar.

Cappadocia: Take a hot-air balloon ride and visit underground cities.

Pamukkale: Relax in the hot springs and the old ruins.

Antalya: Spend time on the beaches of the Mediterranean and see the remains of ancient Romans.

Ephesus: Visit one of the most preserved ancient cities in the world.

Photo Tip: Photos are best taken in the early mornings as the light is the best and the crowd is less.

Conclusion

The process of applying a Turkey visa in UAE is simple provided that you do it in advance and satisfy the requirements. Be it the fast and convenient e-Visa or the application via the consulate, it is always a good idea to have all the necessary documents and know the procedure to prevent the unwanted stress. After the approval, the only thing that remains is to experience the beauty, culture and hospitality that Turkey is famous with. Turkey is the land of architectural wonders and natural beauties.