Your Guide to Turkish Visa Fees and What You’ll Pay in 2025

Planning a trip to Turkey in 2025? Whether you're eyeing a short vacation, a business venture, or a long-term stay, understanding the visa fees is crucial. Turkey's visa system encompasses various categories, each with its own fee structure, validity period, and application process. With recent updates and changes, it's essential to be informed to avoid unexpected costs.

In this guide, we'll delve into the different types of Turkish visas available in 2025, their associated fees, and other related expenses.

Overview of Turkish Visa Types and Fees

Here's a snapshot of the primary visa categories and their fees as of 2025:

Note: Fees are approximate and can vary based on nationality and specific circumstances.

Read all about visa-free access and eligible nationalities in our blog: Türkiye Visa-Free Countries List – Who Can Enter Without a Visa.

Understanding Turkey Visa Types and Fees

Each visa type in Turkey is tailored to different traveller profiles tourists, business visitors, students, workers, and long-term residents.

Below is a breakdown of these visa types, with their specific costs and what you’re actually paying for.

Tourist Visa Costs

How much is a tourist visa for Turkey in 2025?

Tourist visa fees in 2025 depend heavily on your nationality:

Business Visa Fees

What does a business visa cost in 2025?

The Turkish business visa allows for meetings, conferences, and short-term business engagements, not full-time work.

Business travelers tip: Opting for a multiple-entry visa saves costs if you plan to return several times within a few months.

Student Visa Expenses

How much does a student visa to Turkey cost?

This visa is for full-time university or language program students. You’ll also need to apply for a residence permit upon arrival.

Fact: Turkey is home to over 200,000 international students. Public universities are often free, making it a budget-friendly education destination, but your visa costs still add up.

Work Permit Visa Charges

What are the costs for a Turkish work visa in 2025?

Turkey’s work visa process involves both a work permit and a residence permit. Your employer usually handles part of this process, but fees are still relevant for you.

Important: Renewal each year comes with similar costs. These fees can vary depending on job type and employer sponsorship.

Turkish e-Visa System and Costs

The Turkish e-Visa system has simplified travel for millions. If you’re from one of the eligible countries, you can skip embassy lines and apply online in minutes.

This system is primarily for short-term stays, typically for tourism or business purposes, and is valid for 30 to 90 days depending on nationality.

e-Visa Application Process

The application process is user-friendly and doesn’t require much paperwork:

• Visit the official Turkish e-Visa website.
• Choose your country and travel document type.
• Enter your personal and travel information.
• Verify your email address.
• Upload documents if needed (this is rarely required).
• Proceed to payment.

Once approved, you’ll receive the visa by email as a PDF. There's no obligation to print it but keeping a digital copy on your phone is highly recommended in case border officers ask.

Processing Time and Fees

There’s no expedited option for the e-Visa because the system is already highly automated. Most travelers won’t need to wait long.

Visa fees vary depending on your passport:

• U.S. citizens typically pay around $80.
• UK, Australia, Canada — similar range.
• Indian passport holders pay around $15, but only if they hold a valid visa or residence permit from Schengen, the UK, US, or Ireland.

Long-term Residence Permit Fees in Turkey

If you’re planning to stay in Turkey beyond the typical 90-day tourist limit, a residence permit becomes essential.

Whether you're a digital nomad, remote worker, retiree, or someone simply falling in love with Istanbul’s buzz or Antalya’s coast, understanding the real cost of staying long-term is key.

Initial Application Costs

Applying for a residence permit in Turkey involves two main components: the government fee and the health insurance requirement.

The residence permit fee varies based on your nationality, but most applicants pay around $80 to $150 for the first year. This doesn’t include the mandatory health insurance, which can cost an additional $50 to $100 annually depending on your age.

There’s also a one-time card issuance fee, usually around $15. You’ll pay this at the time of your application or interview at the Immigration Office.

Renewal Fees

Renewals tend to cost roughly the same as the initial permit, but some applicants experience issues with overlapping dates and policy changes, especially if you switch cities or change rental addresses.

If your renewal is rejected or delayed, you’ll need to leave the country and reapply from abroad, which creates added travel costs and stress.

Family Member Additional Charges

If you’re applying as a family, each member needs their own application. There’s no “family bundle” or group rate. That means fees apply per person, including the health insurance and government charges.

So, for a family of four, expect to pay roughly:

• $400–$600 in government fees
• $200–$300 in insurance
• $100–$150 in translations and notarizations

Keep in mind that children under 18 may require translated and apostilled birth certificates, and school enrolment documentation if you’re applying for residency on educational grounds.

Special Visa Categories and Their Costs

Beyond the standard short-term and residence visas, Turkey offers several special visa pathways, tailored for investors, property buyers, and retirees. These categories often come with additional benefits, but also higher price tags and more complex requirements.

Turkish Citizenship by Investment Fees

In 2025, the most popular route continues to be through real estate investment, although the minimum threshold was recently raised to $400,000 (from $250,000 in previous years).

Here’s what you can expect in terms of fees:

• Government application fee: approximately $600–$1,000 per applicant
• Property valuation report: around $300–$500
• Notarization and translation of documents: can add $500–$1,000, depending on family size
• Legal and consultancy fees: often range from $5,000 to $10,000, though this varies widely
• Health insurance and ID card issuance: additional $100–$200 per person

Important to note: these costs are on top of the actual property purchase. And to qualify, the property must be held for a minimum of three years.

Property Purchase Related Visas

If you're not looking for citizenship but still want to live in Turkey by buying a home, the property ownership residence permit is a common route.

There’s no minimum value requirement like in the CBI program, although immigration offices in cities like Istanbul and Antalya often prefer properties valued at $75,000 or higher.

Key costs include:

• Application fees and residence card: $80–$120
• Notarized title deed and translation: ~$200–$300
• Health insurance: $50–$100 per year
• Local taxes and property purchase fees: usually 4% of declared value

Retirement Visa Expenses

Turkey doesn’t have an official “retirement visa” like some countries do, but many retirees use the standard long-term residence permit route. What matters most is proving that you have stable income, health insurance, and a place to live.

Costs to expect:

• Initial residence permit: $80–$150
• Health insurance (required): varies based on age, but usually $150–$300/year for older applicants
• Translations and notarizations: ~$100–$200
• Optional: local support services (like consultants or fixers), which can run $300+

Turkish Visa Requirements and Documentation

Getting a Turkish visa, whether it’s a tourist e-Visa, a residence permit, or a more specialized visa, goes beyond just paying a fee. The supporting documents you provide are just as crucial, and often where people trip up or face delays.

Essential Documents Required

Across most visa categories, some documents are universally expected. These include:

• A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity beyond your intended stay.
• Passport-sized photos meeting ICAO standards, usually white background, recent, and no filters or edits.
• Completed visa application form, which must be printed and signed for embassy or residence permit applications.
• Proof of travel (for tourist visas), such as flight bookings or hotel reservations.
• Proof of income or financial means, this could be bank statements, pension slips, or proof of investments.

If you’re applying for a student visa, you’ll need an official acceptance letter from a Turkish university.

Work visas require an employment contract or sponsorship from a Turkish employer, which they submit in parallel through the Ministry of Labor.

Additional Supporting Materials

Depending on your nationality and visa type, Turkish authorities may request extra documents. These often include:

• Rental contracts or property title deeds (especially for residence permit applicants)
• Tax number confirmation, which you can obtain in Turkey or online with your passport
• Health insurance policy, valid in Turkey for the duration of your stay
• Marriage certificate and birth certificates (for family applications)

In some cases, especially for long-term residence or family-based permits, you may also need:

• Police clearance certificates from your home country
• Proof of address registration in Turkey (this is a separate process handled through the local Nüfus office)

Document Authentication Fees

Documents issued outside Turkey often need to be:

• Translated into Turkish by a sworn translator
• Notarized by a Turkish notary
• Apostilled in your home country if required by Turkish immigration (especially for birth and marriage documents)

Turkish Visa Processing Times

Visa processing times in Turkey vary depending on the type of visa and where you apply. The e-Visa is the fastest, most applicants receive approval instantly or within a few hours.

Sticker visas processed through consulates typically take 5 to 15 business days, though this can stretch longer during high travel seasons or if extra documents are requested.

For residence permits and long-term visas, processing can take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks after your in-person appointment.

There’s no official “express” service for these categories, but urgent travel or medical situations may be considered for priority handling, though approval is never guaranteed.

Common Mistakes and Hidden Costs

Even with a smooth application process, travellers often run into avoidable problems that cost time and money. Here's what to watch out for.

Application Error Fees

Typos, mismatched passport numbers, or incorrect entry dates are the most common mistakes in e-Visa applications. Unfortunately, there are no edits or refunds, if you make a mistake, you’ll need to pay the full fee again to submit a fresh application.

Visa Extension Charges

Turkey doesn’t officially offer extensions for short-term visas. If you need more time, you’ll often be told to exit and re-enter or apply for a residence permit. That means extra travel costs, new visa fees, and sometimes hiring local legal help, easily adding $300+ to your budget.

Overstay Penalties

Overstaying your visa can result in fines ranging from $100 to $500, depending on your nationality and duration of the overstay. Repeat violations may also lead to temporary travel bans (up to 5 years), making future entry difficult.

From Entry to Residency: What You Really Pay to Stay in Turkey

Visiting Turkey might start with a $15 e-Visa, but staying long-term involves many layers, residence permits, document translations, notary fees, and sometimes legal advice.

For digital nomads, retirees, or remote workers, budgeting just for the visa fee isn’t enough. The actual cost of living legally in Turkey often goes beyond $500–$1,000 per person, depending on your visa path and personal situation.

Understanding the full process upfront allows you to plan realistically, comply confidently, and focus on making the most of your time in Turkey.

FAQs on Turkish Visa Fees and Requirements

1. How much is a Turkish e-Visa in 2025?

It ranges from $15 to $80 depending on your nationality. Indian citizens with a valid Schengen/UK/US visa pay the lowest.

2. Can I extend my tourist visa while in Turkey?

No, Turkey doesn’t allow official extensions of tourist visas. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a residence permit before your visa expires or exit the country and re-enter after a certain cooling-off period.

3. What happens if I overstay my Turkish visa?

You’ll face fines and may be banned from re-entry for several months or years, depending on the overstay length.

4. Do I need to translate and notarize my documents?

Yes, for most residence permit and long-term visa applications. Documents not in Turkish must be translated and notarized locally.

5. Is health insurance mandatory for a Turkish residence permit?

Yes. Proof of valid Turkish health insurance is required for both initial and renewal applications.

References

Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, Directorate General of Migration Management. (2025). Residence Permit Procedures. https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-permit

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2025). Visa Information for Foreigners. https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

Republic of Turkey e-Visa Portal. (2025). Apply for e-Visa. https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

Ministry of Labor and Social Security. (2025). Work Permit Application Guide. https://www.csgb.gov.tr

Turkish Ministry of Interior. (2025). Penalties for Visa Violations. https://www.icisleri.gov.tr