A Comprehensive Guide to Getting a Business Visa to Turkey
Most people know Turkey as a beautiful place full of history, culture and adventure. However, it is also popular for attracting many investors and businesspeople. Learn the process of getting a Turkish business visa in our post and understand everything about the visa as well.
So, if you’re curious about the opportunities there, you can explore those by going on a business visit to Turkey. Now, several factors contribute to Turkey’s popularity as a business hub, such as its location, favorable market, and friendly investor policies.
Turkey’s location in Europe makes it well-connected to European, Asian, and MIddle-eastern regions. That’s why it attracts professionals from industries across sectors like logistics, transportation and trade.
Apart from that, people can choose from transport options like air, railways, or the road to travel throughout Turkey. You can also visit or use ports like Antalya, Bandirmar and Bodrum, to name a few, to travel via the sea.
But first, you’ll need to apply for a business visa to visit Turkey. Let’s explore more about this visa below.
Understanding the Business Visa for Turkey
As its name suggests, you can apply for a Turkish business visa to participate in business meetings, seminars, conferences, or negotiate contracts. You can apply for this visa if you want to attend a training program, visit potential investment sites or trade with another organisation on behalf of your Government or a company. This visa has validity for 6 months from the issue date. For example, if your visa was issued on the 06th of February, it will remain valid until the 06th of August.
You should note that you cannot spend more than 90 days in the country with this visa for a given period. For example, if you go for a business visit to Turkey on the 15th of February, then you should leave before the 14th of May (i.e. before 90 days are up). This way, you can avoid being penalised for overstaying.
You can visit Turkey again later in May, and stay for up to 90 days, provided your business visa is still valid. However, unlike with a tourist visa, you cannot roam around Turkey or engage in recreational activities.
Learn more about the Turkish tourist visa on our website.
Types of Business Visas to Turkey
You can apply for two types of Turkish business visas: single and multiple-entry.
Single-Entry Business Visa
This allows you to cross the borders into Turkey once. We recommend applying for this visa if you have a one-time engagement like a conference, meeting or seminar. You can also opt for this visa if you’ve already made up your mind about an opportunity and wish to explore the site in person to confirm your interest.
Say you have a friend or family member here who has checked everything on your behalf and analysed the site for you. In this instance, you can apply for a single entry visa and enjoy a stay for up to 30 days.
Multiple-Entry Business Visa
With this visa, you can go into Turkey more than once within the six-month validity period and stay up to 30 days. You can use this visa to conduct or attend business meetings with your prospective clients or business partners.
Alternatively, you can also use this visa to visit multiple sites throughout Turkey and weigh your options.
Remember to leave before your 30-day period is complete, or else you might be penalised.
Eligibility Criteria for a Turkish Business Visa
But what do you need to be considered eligible for this visa? Let’s take a look at that below.
Firstly, you’ll need an active passport, which should remain valid for a minimum of 180 days from your date of departure. You should also belong to the member countries in this list. Apart from that, you’ll need all the relevant documents as mentioned below.
Documents You Should Have For a Turkish Business Visa
You will require the following documents to apply for this visa before your business visit to Turkey:
- Photocopy and the original of your active passport. It should not be older than 10 years and remain valid for at least six months from your entry date.
- Photocopy of your completed visa application form
- Two valid photographs
- Invitation letter from a Turkish organisation or company that has given you permission to explore or visit the country for business purposes
- Official documents that prove you work for an organisation or company
- Travel insurance
- Proof of accommodation like your hotel or Airbnb booking
- Financial documents like your tax returns and bank statements
- Itinerary
Remember to make photocopies of all the relevant documents and store them in a folder to avoid misplacing them.
The Application Process for a Turkish Business Visa
To apply for this visa, you must first visit our website.
After that, you will have to enter details like your name, family surname, purpose of your website, country of citizenship, and email address. You should fill in the correct information, otherwise your visa will be denied.
Then, you have to visit the payment page, where you will have to enter details like your debit or credit card number and PIN. Cross-check the information before you send it to us. Then just hit send.
Once you send it to us, you will have to wait about three to six days. If your visa takes longer than usual to be delivered, you can check its status here. We suggest that you apply a minimum of two weeks before your trip date, in case processing takes time due to network or staffing issues.
What to Do If Your Business Visa Application Is Denied?
Your Turkish business visa might get rejected for reasons like entering incorrect information, leaving some fields blank or providing the wrong details. For example, if you submit false documents like a fake passport or enter incorrect bank details.
In such a situation, contact us immediately to understand the reasons for your rejection. Afterwards, you must reapply for the business visa in about 24 hours and wait three to six days again to receive the visa.
However, if your visa is rejected for reasons other than incorrect information, then you will need to submit a physical application at your nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate.
Essential Things to Know Before Traveling to Turkey
Now that you know everything about the business visa, we recommend studying the country’s business etiquette before you visit Turkey. This way, you’ll be able to respect the natives and form working relationships effectively.
So you should do the following things:
- You should schedule your meetings one or two weeks in advance. This way, your Turkish counterparts can be adequately prepared for the meeting.
- You should learn about the correct mode of address like Hanim for Mrs. and Bey for Mr. That’s because they place a lot of importance on formal titles. So avoid calling them by their first name unless permitted.
- You should take the time to form personal relationships with them since they value human connection.
- Stick to simple language since they do not prefer jargon.
- Lastly, you should communicate regularly to maintain the bond.
So you should refer to the tips to enjoy a successful business visit to Turkey. Remember to carefully fill out your visa application form and carry the correct documents, like your passport, to avoid being denied entry. We wish you a pleasant trip!
Check your eligibility for Turkey Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Bahamas citizens, Afghan citizens, Libyan citizens and Sri Lankan citizens can apply online for Electronic Turkey Visa.