Travel To Turkey with A Criminal Record
If you have a criminal past, you might feel anxious about visiting Turkey. You may be constantly worrying that you might be stopped at the border and denied entry. The good news is that it is extremely unlikely that you will be turned away at the Turkish border due to a criminal record if you have been successful in obtaining a visa for Turkey.
If you are planning for applying a Turkey visa, you must know that traveling to Turkey with a criminal record depends on several factors, including the:
- Type of offense
- Country of origin
- Current visa or passport status
Here's a breakdown to help clarify the situation and know whether you are capable of applying or not:
So, Does Turkey Allow People with Criminal Records to Enter?
In general, Turkey or any other country does not automatically ban travelers with criminal records from entering the nation. The ban depends on the following circumstances:
- The severity of the crime conducted by the applicant
- The time since the conviction took place
- Whether the person planning to enter the nation poses a security threat to the nation
- Type of visa being applied for
Turkey eVisa and Criminal Records
If you are a citizen from an eVisa eligible country and applying for a Turkey eVisa, you should know that the immigration official already does a thorough investigation before accepting your application and giving you the eVisa. However you should know that only after checking certain scenarios you are likely to get an eVisa.
- Minor offenses (such as petty theft, misdemeanors, or DUIs) usually don't have much impact on entry.
- Before providing the eVisa, your application will undergo a background check.
- Do know that even if you have an eVisa, the border security has the right to deny entry if they find you might be risky to the nation.
What could be the Possible Reasons for Denial at the Border?
As mentioned above you may be denied entry if:
- You have conducted serious criminal offenses (e.g., terrorism, violent crimes, drug trafficking) which is a complete threat to the nation
- While going undergoing background check, if found there’s an Interpol red notice or international alert against you, it’s a strict ‘No’
- If you have a previous history of being deported from Turkey or any other country or have been banned from reentry.
- In case your passport is flagged in international databases, it is a ‘No’
What if you're Applying for a Sticker Visa (through an embassy)?
In case you are applying for a sticker visa for reasons related to longer stays like work, study, or residence then:
- You will have to submit a police clearance certificate, and clarify the charge of your criminal, however it will depend on the nature of the crime committed.
- The Turkish embassy will perform a thorough investigation of your background depending on your country of origin and the visa category, only then you will get the final outcome.
Note: Denial or accepting your application form will depend entirely on the verification by the immigration department.
Can Someone with a Criminal Record Visit Turkey?
If you have a criminal past, you might feel anxious about visiting Turkey. You may be constantly worrying that you might be stopped at the border and denied entry. The internet is full of contradictory information, which can only add to the confusion.
The good news is that it is extremely unlikely that you will be turned away at the Turkish border due to a criminal record if you have been successful in obtaining a visa for Turkey. The relevant authorities conduct a background investigation after you submit your visa application before deciding whether to approve it.
The background investigation uses security databases, so if they determine that you pose a threat, they will deny your visa. It just takes a few minutes to complete the online Turkey visa application, and it is processed quickly.
Do You Need a Visa to Enter Turkey If You Have A Criminal Record?
If you have a visa, the government has already conducted a background investigation and determined that you do not constitute a security risk and are therefore welcome. Nevertheless, several nationalities do not require a visa to enter Turkey.
Turkey receives intelligence from nations that do not require visas, so when individuals enter the country without one, border officials may do background checks that may include criminal history.
On the off chance that border security personnel inquire about visitors' backgrounds, it is imperative that they provide accurate responses. In most cases, it is unimportant if you have a criminal history.
People who have committed a particularly serious crime including violence, smuggling, or terrorism are typically denied entrance. Travellers are quite unlikely to experience any issues at the border if they have less significant crimes that did not result in any jail time (or very little).
Application For A Turkish Visa While Having A Criminal Record
There are several different sorts of visas for Turkey, and each one has a unique application process. The Turkey eVisa and the visa on arrival are the two (2) most widely used types of tourist visas.
37 nationalities, including those from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, are eligible for the visa on arrival. 90 different countries can currently obtain the eVisa, which was introduced in 2018.
The tourist must fill out the application and pay the cost at the border in order to receive a visa on arrival. At the border, the application is processed, which involves a background investigation. Minor convictions, once more, are unlikely to produce issues.
Many tourists choose to apply for the Turkey eVisa in advance for peace of mind because, once you have it, you will not have to worry when you arrive in Turkey or pass the border. You will not be turned away at the border because your eVisa has already been accepted.
Additionally, eVisa is a lot more effective than a visa on arrival. Instead of standing in line and waiting at the border, applicants can apply from the convenience of their homes. As long as the applicant has a valid passport from one of the approved countries and a credit or debit card to pay the price, the Turkey eVisa application form can be finished in a few minutes.
Who Is Eligible for a Turkey e-Visa Under the Visa Policy for Turkey?
Depending on their country of origin, foreign travellers to Turkey are divided into 3 categories.
- Visa-free nations
- Nations that accept eVisa
- Stickers as proof of visa requirement
Below are listed the various countries' visa requirements.
Turkey's multiple-entry visa
If visitors from the nations mentioned below fulfil the additional Turkey eVisa conditions, they can obtain a multiple-entry visa for Turkey. They are permitted a maximum of 90 days, and occasionally 30 days, in Turkey.
Turkey's single-entry visa
The following nations' citizens can obtain a single-entry eVisa for Turkey. They are permitted a maximum of 30 days in Turkey.
Conditions unique to the Turkey eVisa
Foreign nationals from certain nations who qualify for the single-entry visa must fulfil one or more of the following unique Turkey eVisa requirements:
- Authentic visa or residency permit from a Schengen nation, Ireland, the UK, or the US. Visas and residence permits issued electronically are not accepted.
- Utilize an airline that has been authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Keep your hotel reservation.
- Possess proof of sufficient financial resources ($50 per day)
- The requirements for the country of citizenship of the traveller must be verified.
Nationalities that are permitted entry to Turkey without a visa
Not every foreigner needs a visa to enter Turkey. For a brief while, visitors from certain nations can enter without a visa.
Some nationalities are permitted entry to Turkey without a visa. They are as follows:
All EU citizens
Brazil
Chile
Japan
New Zealand
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Switzerland
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Depending on nationality, visa-free trips might last anywhere from 30 to 90 days over a 180-day period.
Only tourist-related activities are allowed without a visa; a suitable entrance permit is required for all other visits.
READ MORE:
The Turkish eVisa is simple to obtain and may be applied for in just a few minutes from the comfort of your home. Depending on the applicant's nationality, a 90-day or 30-day stay in Turkey may be granted with an electronic visa. Learn about them at E-visa for Turkey: What Is Its Validity?