I am American with passport having layover in Istanbul for 20 hours. Do I need Visa?
I will be staying over for 20 hour layover and I was wondering if I needed to get a visa in order to leave airport and visit the city. And if I need a visa do I apply for it while I'm on the layover in Istanbul or can I apply for it in America before I go?
Best Answer
You Need a Visa to Enter Turkey
If you plan on leaving the airport then, as a US passport holder, you will need a Turkish Visa to enter the country.
United States of America: Ordinary and official passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain three month-multiple entry visas from Turkish diplomatic representations abroad and also via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.
Fortunately you can apply for a visa online using the dedicated governmental website.
You Don't Need a Transit Visa
Since the linked website explicitly mentions "transit" for other nationalities, I am assuming that US citizens don't need a transit visa for Turkey, if they stay within the terminal airside. Indeed, the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs states the same:
Question: I will be flying to Europe. I know that our aircraft will land in ?stanbul. I am not planning to leave the transit lounge. Do I need to get transit visa?
Answer: If you will not leave the transit lounge at the airport you are not required to have transit visa. Otherwise, you have to make visa application to the nearest Turkish Representation. Contact information of the said missions can be reached through www.mfa.gov.tr (Ministry/Turkish Representations).
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Do Americans need a visa to transit through Istanbul?
Do I need to get transit visa? Answer: If you will not leave the transit lounge at the airport you are not required to have transit visa. Otherwise, you have to make visa application to the nearest Turkish Representation.Do I need a visa if transiting through Turkey?
All passengers who transit through Turkey are required to carry applicable visa/documentation for the destination country. However, ff passengers do not intend to leave the airport during their transit, they do not need a transit visa.Can US citizen get Turkish visa at airport?
Yes. American passport holders are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival. However, it's far more convenient to apply for an e visa than for a visa on arrival. Travelers who wish to get a visa on arrival will need to stand in line at the airport and pay the visa fee in cash.Do I need a US visa if I have a layover?
One of those layovers is within the United States. This means that you will have to transit through the US. To do this, you will need a Transit Visa for USA. A US Transit Visa is a permit to to enter the US and stay for a layover.How to get a free hotel from Turkish Airlines in a layover in Istanbul
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