All the information about the Turkey visa for US Citizens

Turkey has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in recent years, as the number of tourists arriving in the country has grown exponentially each year. In 2019, approximately 52 million tourists visited the country. 

American tourists are increasingly exploring more options in Europe, and Turkey is certainly an interesting destination which offers unique culture, gastronomy and landscapes which cannot be missed. Its most visited city, Istanbul, in the west of the country, the centrally-located Cappadocia and Adiyaman in the east are, among others, destinations not to be missed if you visit this wonderful country.

Discover all the information you need to know about the Turkey visa for US citizens. 

Do US citizens need a visa for Turkey?

Yes, it's necessary need to apply for a Turkey visa for US citizens. The visa for Turkey can be obtained in person or online. The online Turkish visa for US citizens (eVisa) is strongly recommended as it saves queuing and long waiting hours, as well as any additional paperwork that may be required and not available when applying in person at the nearest Turkish embassy.

Furthermore, applying for the Turkey visa is much quicker and easier and it's done completely online. All you have to do is fill in an online form with your correct details. The whole process will take you approximately ten minutes.

Once your application for the Turkish visa for US citizens has been accepted after completing all the steps, the agents will approve your visa within approximately 48 hours. US citizens will obtain an A2 type of visa, which is valid for 180 days from the issuing time and allows tourists to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days, with the possibility of multiple entries.

Every Turkish visa for US citizens is strictly limited to tourism and business visits. That means that US citizens can only travel with Turkey's online visa for holidays, to visit family, establish business connections, attend seminars, etc. Under no circumstances US citizens can go to Turkey with an e visa and look for employment.

You won't need a visa if you are travelling on a cruise and stopping in Turkey for less than 72 hours. In this case, a temporary visit permit is issued. You won't need a Turkey visa for US citizens if you don't leave the transit lounge at the airport as well. 

Visa requirements for Turkey for US citizens

Unlike many countries, Turkey does not require a lot of documentation when applying for a visa. The Turkey visa requirements for US citizens are:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in the country.
• Email where you will receive your approved visa.
• Valid credit card to complete pay for fees and visa.

Although a printed version of the e-visa is not strictly necessary, bringing a physical copy of your visa can be useful at the airport when going through immigration. 

How much is the cost of a Turkish visa for US citizens?

The cost of the entire process is about USD 79, which includes government fees and handling services. There is also an express service, which offers an average processing time of 24 hours and the price is USD 99.

How long does it take to get a Turkey visa for US citizens?

Most traditional visa applications must be done in person in consulates, embassies, or by mail. That makes the process very long, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. The e-visa is usually faster and easier to apply for and that’s why many countries are investing in online visa application systems. 

Fortunately, US citizens can apply for e-visas for a lot of countries, and Turkey is one of them. 

The e visa for Turkey application process for US citizens must be done online and it usually takes less than 24 hours to be approved or rejected. The application process is clear and intuitive, and there is no limit on how early it can be started. 

Are there direct flights from the United States to Turkey?

Yes, airlines such as Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines offer direct flights from major US cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Washington D.C.) to Turkey with an approximate flight time of 10-13 hours.