Turkey Visa for Saudi Citizens
Yes, Saudi citizens can travel to Turkey, and visa applications are now being accepted. However, Saudi citizens need a visa and a valid Saudi passport to travel to Turkey, even for short stay purposes.
Do Saudis need a Visa for Turkey?
Yes, Saudi citizens require a Turkey visa to travel to Turkey even for short stays.
Saudi citizens can apply for a Turkey multiple-entry visa online for upto 90 days, provided they are visiting for business and tourism purposes, thereby eliminating the traditional ‘stamp’ or ‘sticker’ visa. The visa will be valid for a period of 180 days.
Note: The type of Turkey visa Saudi citizens must apply for depends on their purpose of visit to Turkey.
How to get a Turkey Visa for Saudi Arabian citizens?
Turkish electronic visa applications are easy and quick to complete, and most travellers complete and submit the form in just minutes. The Saudi citizens must keep in possession of their travel and ID documents and reliable access to the internet.
The Turkey visa online can easily be requested from the comfort of the applicant’s home or office. The Turkey visa online application is completely online and applicants do not need to visit the Turkish embassy in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi citizens can apply for a Turkey visa by following the 3 steps given below:
- Duly fill out and complete the online Turkey Visa Application form.
- Make sure to pay the Turkey Visa application fee by credit or debit card
- You will receive your approved Turkey online visa
Note: Saudi citizens will receive their approved Turkey visa via email, making them ready to travel from Saudi Arabia to Turkey.
The Turkey visa for Saudi citizens is fast and simple and takes around 1 to 2 business days to get processed. However, travellers are recommended to allow extra days in case of any issues or delays.
Documents required to get a Turkish Visa from Saudi Arabia
Arrivals from Saudi Arabia need a handful of documents to apply for the Turkey online visa.
The following are some of the documents required to apply for a Turkey visa from Saudi Arabia:
- A Saudi-issued passport valid for a minimum of 150 days from the date of arrival in Turkey.
- A valid email address where the approved Turkey visa and the visa notifications will be sent
- Valid credit or debit card to pay for the Turkey visa fee
Note: The validity of the Turkey tourist visa varies based on the nationality of the applicant. During the 180-day validity period, Saudi Arabian travellers can only stay in the country for 90 days.
Turkey Visa from Saudi Arabia: Application form
The Turkey Visa Application form for Saudi citizens itself is quite straightforward and easy to complete in a couple of minutes. It must have the following information:
- Name and surname
- Date of birth and Place of birth
- Passport number
- Passport date of issuance or expiration
- Valid email address
- Contact number
As part of the application process for the Turkey visa, Saudi Arabian citizens will have to specify their country of origin and an estimated date of entry into Turkey.
Note: Saudi applicants will need to answer some safety and security questions in the Visa application form. Therefore, they must make sure their answers are carefully revised before submission, as any errors, including missing information, could delay the visa processing and disrupt travel plans.
Turkey entry requirements from Saudi Arabia
Saudi citizens entering Turkey are required to mainly carry the 2 following documents mandatorily to be eligible for entry into the country:
- A valid passport issued by Saudi Arabia that meets the validity requirements.
- The approved Turkey visa
Note: Turkish border officials verify travel documents. Therefore, receiving an approved visa does not guarantee entry into the country. The final decision lies with Turkish immigration authorities.
Turkey Visa for Saudi Arabia residents
Travellers' nationality determines the visa requirements for Turkey. It is important for foreigners living in Saudi Arabia to check the visa requirements for their nationality.
Here are some instances:
- Palestinians can obtain a Turkey visa from Saudi Arabia. For Palestinians, the Turkish visa is valid for 30 days and is single-entry.
- Yemeni residents in Saudi Arabia can also get a Turkey visa. A 30-day single-entry visa is also available for Yemeni passport holders.
Foreign residents can apply for a Turkey visa online from Saudi Arabia or from anywhere in the world as the application process is 100% online.
Travel to Turkey from Saudi Arabia
Any Saudi Arabian or foreign national can use the Turkey electronic visa to explore the whole of Turkish territory.
There are direct flights that operate from Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Dammam to Istanbul. The non-direct flights operate from Saudi Arabia to Trabzon.
Note: The Turkey online visa is also at the land and sea borders of Turkey.
Turkey Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Turkey visa applicants from Saudi Arabia are not required to present documents in person at the Turkish embassy. The visa information will be submitted electronically, and the visa application process can be completed online from their smartphone, laptop or any other device with a reliable internet connection.
However, passport holders from Saudi Arabia, who do not meet all the Turkish visa online requirements can apply for a Turkey visa through the Turkish embassy.
The Turkish Embassy in Saudi Arabia is located in Riyadh at the following address:
Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street No:8604
Diplomatic Quarter
P.O. Box 94390
Riyadh 11693
Saudi Arabia
Can Saudis travel to Turkey?
Yes, Saudis can travel to Turkey at any time as long as they have a valid visa or are exempt from a visa requirement.
Turkish border officials verify travel documents. Therefore, receiving an approved visa does not guarantee entry into the country. The final decision lies with Turkish immigration authorities.
Can Saudi citizens get a Turkey Visa on arrival?
No, Saudi citizens do not qualify for a Turkey Visa on arrival.
Passport holders from Saudi can only apply for a Turkey visa online or through the Turkish embassy in Saudi Arabia. However, it is encouraged that Saudi passport holders apply for a Turkey visa online if they are visiting for tourism or business purposes.
Note: Saudi nationals who wish to stay in Turkey for longer than 90 days or visit Turkey for purposes other than business, or tourism, need to apply for an Embassy visa.
Can Saudi citizens visit Turkey without a Visa?
No, most Saudi Arabian citizens require a visa to enter Turkey. In general, this rule has very few exceptions.
Saudi Arabian citizens must obtain visas before crossing the Turkish border. Depending on the traveller's specific circumstances, a visa may be required. The electronic Turkey visa for Saudis, however, is the fastest and easiest to obtain.
How much is the Turkey Visa for Saudi Arabian citizens?
The cost of the Turkey visa online depends on the type of Turkey visa the Saudi citizen is applying for, keeping in mind the purpose of the travel (tourism or business) and the expected duration of their stay.
How long does it take to get a Turkey Visa from Saudi Arabia?
The Turkey visa online processing is quite fast and the Saudi citizens can get the approved permit by filling up the online Turkey Visa Application form. Saudi applicants are usually asked for basic information such as personal details, and passport information to be filled in the application form:
The applicants usually get the approved Turkey visa within 1 to 2 business days. However, in some cases, more time might be required for the visa to get approved and delivered.
What are some important points to remember while visiting Turkey from Saudi Arabia?
The following are some important points that Saudi travellers should remember before entering Turkey:
- Saudi citizens cannot travel to Turkey without applying for a Turkey Visa. They are required to obtain an approved Turkey visa, even for short stays before entering Turkey.
- The following are some of the documents required to apply for a Turkey visa from Saudi Arabia:
- A Saudi-issued passport valid for a minimum of 150 days from the date of arrival in Turkey.
- A valid email address where the approved Turkey visa and the visa notifications will be sent
- Valid credit or debit card to pay for the Turkey visa fee
- Saudi citizens entering Turkey are required to carry the following documents mandatorily to be eligible for entry into the country:
- A valid passport issued by Saudi Arabia that meets the validity requirements.
- The approved Turkey visa
- Saudi applicants will need to answer some safety and security questions in the Visa application form. Therefore, they must make sure their answers are carefully revised before submission, as any errors, including missing information, could delay the visa processing and disrupt travel plans.
- Saudi citizens do not qualify for a Turkey Visa on arrival. Passport holders from Saudi Arabia can only apply for a Turkey visa online or through the Turkish embassy in Saudi Arabia. However, it is encouraged that Saudi passport holders apply for a Turkey visa online if they are visiting for tourism or business purposes.
- Turkish border officials verify travel documents. Therefore, receiving an approved visa does not guarantee entry into the country. The final decision lies with Turkish immigration authorities.
Please make sure to check and stay updated with the current entry requirements to Turkey from Saudi Arabia, before travelling.
What are some places Saudi citizens can visit in Turkey?
Given below is our list of suggestions for some of the most beautiful and surreal places you can visit while spending your vacation in Turkey:
Fethiye
The stunning Fethiye city of Turkey is set on a handsome natural harbour. Acting as a cherry on top the pristine turquoise waters and the forest-covered hills surrounding the city make it a breathtaking site to view.
A famous destination among the tourist, the beautiful beaches in Fethiye are perfect for relaxing and tourists can easily catch a Turkish cruise around the bay or head to one of the exquisite islands that lie nearby the beautiful city.
While the city was almost decimated by a massive earthquake in 1958, it has come back to life impressively and many of its ancient ruins are still intact. The captivating rock tombs of Amintas, the ancient city of Kadyanda and the ghost town of Kayakoy, are some of the main tourist attractions in Fethiye.
Urfa
Urfa, also known as Sanliurfa, is the 'City of the Prophets' dotted with beautiful age-old buildings throughout the city. As is indicated by its name, the majority of tourists visit Urfa for pilgrimage and to fill in their spirits. It's exhilarating to walk through a local bazaar with a Middle Eastern flair and try to absorb everything that's happening around you.
Although urban development projects have altered the city rapidly, its ancient past still shines through in the form of the stunning Delgar Park and Mosque complex. A visit to the ancient temple Gobekli Tepe is a must during your stopover in Urfa.
Sumela Monastery
The Sumela Monastery, also known as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary is a stunning and secluded location built into the cliffs and is the main attraction for tourists on the Black Sea coast.
A stroll through this deserted religious complex, whose church rooms are crammed with dazzling, vivid frescoes, is a must for anyone making the long journey to Turkey's northeastern region.
The monastery was first opened during Byzantine times and ceased activity as a functioning religious centre when the monks were forced to leave the monastery as part of the Greek-Turkish population exchange.
Nevertheless, the mystery associated with this monastery makes it more attractive to tourists than most others.
Göbeklitepe
One of Turkey's most significant ancient sites, Gobeklitepe, on a hilltop near Urfa, has been in the news, around the world since the day of its opening and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To a surprise, this ancient site was also the inspiration behind the Netflix series Poison! If you are a fan of Poison make sure to visit this ancient site to get a real-life experience of the series you love so much.
Dating back to before the time of Neolithic pottery making, this small site features towering T-shaped columns carved with animal figures and humanlike details, making it one of the world's most ancient religious sanctuaries, as noted by archaeologists.
While it may not have the surprise factor of much later Bronze Age or Greco-Roman antiquities in Turkey, Göbeklitepe's importance in understanding early human history makes it one of the most popular tourist spots in southeastern Turkey.
Edrine
The glorious past of Edrine, once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, becomes evident in its magnificent age-old imperial buildings, palaces and stunning mosques scattered throughout the city. The Selimiye Mosque is one such delightful and must-see site in Turkey. The old town is also great for taking simple strolls.
The strategic location and proximity of the city to the countries of Greece and Bulgaria makes the city have a European flair and offers many delicious dishes that will not be available in the majority of the cities in Turkey. The best time to visit is in the summer when the famous and traditional Kirkpinner Oil Wrestling Festival is held.
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