UK nationals must get Turkish visas in advance

Stamps in passports: a thing of the past

BRITISH passport holders travelling to Turkey will soon be required to buy their visa in advance online instead of at the airport.

Under the new eVisa scheme, which was announced last month by the Turkish Embassy in London, UK visitors going to Turkey on holiday or business must buy an electronic visa online and print it out before travelling.

An eVisa will cost US$20 (currently £12.08) – a little more expensive than the £10 cash fee current charged at the airport – for a 90-day multiple entry visa.

They replace stickers that were affixed to passports at the border.

The UK Foreign Office website warns that “some unauthorised websites may charge for information about e-visas, and for submitting applications.

“These websites are not endorsed by or associated with the Turkish government. Be wary of such sites and businesses, particularly those that seek additional fees for other services.”

The scheme becomes mandatory from Thursday 10 April 2014, but eVisas can be optionally purchased now by visiting www.evisa.gov.tr