Visiting Istanbul on a Turkish Visa Online
Istanbul is old - it dates back thousands of years, and thus serves as the home to numerous historical places that attract visitors from all around the world. In this article, we will share with you all the details that you need to know about visiting Istanbul with a Turkish visa.
Being one of the greatest cities in the world, there is no dearth of reasons why you would want to visit Istanbul. What makes Istanbul even more gorgeous is its assortment of beautiful mosques with vibrant and intricate tile work and exquisite architecture.
The friendly and welcoming people of the area makes Istanbul a wonderful treat for every visitor. And finally, Istanbul also serves as a home to the Hagia Sophia - one of the great wonders of the world and a grand architectural feat. In the case that you wish to visit Istanbul anytime soon, you must keep in mind that there are so many things to see in the area - one can easily fill five days to a week’s worth of time in their stay in Istanbul.
However, the main problem that most visitors face is the mammoth task of deciding which attractions to visit and on which day - well, worry not anymore! In this article, we will share with you all the details that you need to know about visiting Istanbul with a Turkish visa, along with the top attractions you must not miss out on.
What Are Some of The Top Places To Visit In Istanbul?
As per what we mentioned earlier, there are so many things to see and do in the city that you will pretty much need to cram up your itinerary as much as possible! Some of the most popular sightseeing attractions visited by tourists include The Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, the grand bazaar and the Basilica Cistern.
The Hagia Sophia
The first thing that every visitor visits in Istanbul must be The Hagia Sophia. A cathedral that was created back in 537 AD, for more than 900 years, it has served the purpose of the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinopole. The greatest achievement of the Byzantine Empire in terms of architecture, the cathedral was turned into a mosque when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople. Functioning as a museum till July 2020, The Hagia Sophia has once again been turned into a mosque that has both Christian as well as Muslim elements.
The Blue Mosque
Only a walk away from the Sultanahmet Square, The Blue Mosque was built back in 1616 and is famous all around the world for its intricate blue tile work that covers the entire interiors of the building. If you have never visited a mosque before, it is a great place to start! However, keep in mind there are strict protocols that need to be followed inside a mosque, but they have been explained well in the entrance.
The grand bazaar
One of the greatest highlights of visiting Istanbul will be shopping in the colorful Grand Bazaar which is a treat for both children and adults alike. Filled with a maze of hallways, friendly people, and a kaleidoscope of colorful lanterns, the bazaar is a joy waiting to be explored!
The Basilica Cistern
As you descend through the city’s underground, you will be met by Istanbul’s reservoirs. A dark, mysterious and chilly place, here you will find two heads of Medusa that can be slightly creepy.
Why Do I Need a Visa To Istanbul?
If you wish to enjoy the many different attractions of Istanbul, it is mandatory that you must have some form of visa with you as a form of travel authorisation by the Turkish government, along with other necessary documents such as your passport, bank-related documents, confirmed air tickets, ID proof, tax documents, and so on.
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Best known for its scenic beaches, Alanya is a town that is covered in sandy strips and strung along the neighbouring coast. If you wish to spend a laid-back holiday in an exotic resort, you are sure to find your best shot at Alanya! From June to August, this place remains packed with north European tourists. Learn more at Visiting Alanya on a Turkish Visa Online
What are the Different Types of Visa to Visit Istanbul?
There are different types of visas to visit Turkey, which include the following:
TOURIST or BUSINESSPERSON -
a) Touristic Visit
b) Single Transit
c) Double Transit
d) Business Meeting / Commerce
e) Conference / Seminar / Meeting
f) Festival / Fair / Exhibition
g) Sportive Activity
h) Cultural Artistic Activity
i) Official Visit
j) Visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
How Can I Apply For a Visa To Visit Istanbul?
In order to apply for a visa to visit Alanya, you will first have to fill up Turkey Visa Application online.
Travelers who intend to apply Turkey e-Visa must fulfil the following conditions:
A Valid passport for travel
The applicant’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the departure date, that is the date when you leave Turkey.
There should also be a blank page on the passport so that the Customs Officer can stamp your passport.
A valid Email ID
The applicant will receive Turkey eVisa by email, therefore a valid Email ID is required to complete Turkey Visa Application form.
Method of Payment
Since Turkey Visa Application form is only available online, without a paper equivalent, a valid credit/debit card is required. All payments are processed using Secure payment gateway.
Once you have made payment online, you will be sent the Turkey Visa Online via email within 24 hours and you can have your vacation in Istanbul.
What Is the Turkey Tourist Visa Processing Time?
If you have applied for an eVisa and it gets approved, you will only have to wait for a few minutes to get it. And in the case of a sticker visa, you will have to wait for a minimum of 15 working days from the day of its submission along with the other documents.
Do I Need to Take A Copy Of My Turkey Visa?
It is always recommended to keep an extra copy of your eVisa with you, whenever you are flying to a different country. If in any case, you are unable to find a copy of your visa, you will be denied entry by the destination country.
How Long Is the Turkish Visa Valid For?
The validity of your visa refers to the time period for which you will be able to enter Turkey using it. Unless it has been specified otherwise, you will be able to enter Turkey at any time with your visa prior to its expiry, and if you have not used up the max number of entries granted to a single visa.
Your Turkey visa will become effective right from the date of its issuance. Your visa will become automatically invalid once its period is over regardless of the entries being used up or not. Usually, the Tourist Visa and Business Visa has a validity of up to 10 years, with 3 months or 90 days of stay period at a time within the last 180 days, and Multiple Entries.
Turkey Visa Online is multiple entry visa that allows stays of up to 90 days. Turkey eVisa is valid for touristic and trade purposes only.
The Turkey Visa Online is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. The validity period of your Turkey Visa Online is different than the duration of stay. While Turkey eVisa is valid for 180 days, your duration cannot exceed 90 days within each 180 days. You may enter Turkey at any time within the 180 days validity period.
Can I Extend a Visa?
It is not possible to extend the validity of your Turkish visa. In the case that your visa expires, you will have to fill up a new application, following the same process that you followed for your original Visa application.
What Are the Main Airports in Istanbul?
There are two main airports in Turkey, namely the Istanbul Airport (ISL) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). However, since most parts of the Istanbul Airport is still under construction which is set to replace the main Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, it currently serves as a third international airport in Turkey. All the airports in Istanbul are connected by the major airports in the world and provide efficient public transport services to every part of the city.
What Are the Top Job Opportunities In Istanbul?
Since Turkey is trying to build its connection with other English speaking economies around the world, TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teachers are highly sought across all parts of the country and for students that come in all age ranges. The demand is particularly high in economic hotspots such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara.
If you want to visit Istanbul for business or tourism purposes, you will have to apply for a Turkish Visa. This will provide you with permission to visit the country for a period of 6 months, for both work and travel purposes.
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In addition to gardens Istanbul has plenty more to offer, learn about them at exploring tourist attractions of Istanbul.
Check your eligibility for Turkey Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Jamaican citizens, Mexican citizens and Saudi citizens can apply online for Electronic Turkey Visa.