You’ve got your passport renewed and ready, your hotel is ready to be booked and you’ve circled every landmark, restaurant and attraction that you’re dying to make room for on your travel itinerary during a visit to Turkey. All sorted, right? Not quite.

Before you get too carried away with your travel plans, you need to make sure the essentials are sorted. That’s right, checking Turkey’s visa requirements before you leave is crucial. If you don’t have the right travel documents, you could face issues at immigration. Worst case scenario is you’re refused entry or deported.

Scratching your head over where to start? Don’t sweat it, Traveloka has got the lowdown on everything you need when it comes to obtaining a visa so you don’t face any issues once you touch down at the airport. Scroll on for our comprehensive guide.

Australians do need an e-visa to visit Turkey for stays less than 90 days in a 180-day period. This applies whether you’re travelling to Turkey for tourism reasons or it’s a business trip. If you’re not eligible for an e-visa, you will need to apply for a visa via an embassy or consulate of Turkey before arriving in the country to avoid being refused entry. Make sure to have at least six months remaining on your passport before the expiry date.

Tourist and business e-visas cost USD$60 plus a USD$6 admin fee via the official Turkish government website or through the Turkish Embassy in Canberra. Be wary of third party websites which charge extra to apply for a visa and are often scams.

An e-visa for Turkey is generally valid for 180 days from the date of issue (aka the planned travel date). Although it allows for multiple entries and departures during this period, the maximum number of days in Turkey allowed is 90 in total. Make sure your passport is stamped for every exit and arrival – including short trips to nearby countries – or you may have issues when it comes time to depart Turkey. It’s recommended to apply for an e-visa at least 48 hours in advance of your arrival in the country.

To make the process of obtaining an e-visa for Turkey as seamless as possible, ensure you have these important documents handy before you start your online application. The exact documents required depends on your nationality, but these are the common ones Aussies are asked to provide:

Extra supporting documents that may be needed include:

The Turkish government strongly recommends Australian passport holders apply for an e-visa at least 48 hours before departure in order to gain entry to Turkey. However, it is technically possible for Australians to obtain a visa on arrival at some Turkish airports but opting for this is advised against as it can cause delays at immigration and is reportedly more expensive. Do yourself a favour and follow recommendations to apply for an e-visa online before you go to keep your trip stress-free. 

To obtain an e-visa for your trip to Turkey, head to  the official Turkish government website and follow these simple step-by-step instructions:

1. Find the official application form Visit the official Turkey visa application website to apply for an e-visa.

2. Fill out the application form After clicking “Apply for an e-Visa”, carefully input the requested information into the application including passport details (make sure you have the necessary documents at hand.)

3. Confirm Your Information Double check you’ve entered all your details and information correctly to avoid any issues, delays or e-visa refusal.

4. Submit the Payment Use your debit or credit card to pay the visa fee.

5. Receive Your eVisa After processing, your visa will be sent to your provided email address. Check your spam or junk folders if you can’t see it in your inbox.

Now that the important stuff for your trip is all sorted, it’s time to sink your teeth into organising the fun part! Traveloka can help you find great deals on airfares to Turkey, hotels and accommodation as well as locking in things to do while you’re visiting, plus much, much more!