Visa Requirements For Turkish Travel From Belarus

Since 2014, citizens of Belarus and Turkey have been able to travel visa-free between the two countries. Belarusian citizens can enter Turkey without a visa and stay for up to 30 days at a time, not exceeding 90 days in any given year from the date of first entry. They will need to provide a passport with at least two blank pages and at least six months' validity beyond the intended stay in Turkey, as well as proof of sufficient funds for their stay and their return journey. Turkish citizens can stay in Belarus for a maximum of 30 days continuously, and up to 90 days in a year, without a visa.

Visa-free travel between Belarus and Turkey

Overview

Citizens of Belarus and Türkiye have enjoyed visa-free travel between the two countries since 2014. This arrangement allows citizens to stay for up to 30 days at a time, with a maximum of 90 days in any given year from the date of first entry.

Visa-free Requirements for Turkish Citizens

Turkish citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond their period of stay in Belarus. They also need to present proof of insurance coverage to the Immigration Control staff when crossing the border.

Turkish citizens who wish to stay longer than 30 days, or who intend to work, study, or research in Belarus, should apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Ankara or the Consulate General in Istanbul.

Visa-free Requirements for Belarusian Citizens

Belarusian citizens need a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay in Turkey. This passport must also have at least one blank page for the visa stamp. Additionally, they must provide a travel itinerary and proof of sufficient funds for their stay and return journey.

Upon arrival in Turkey, Belarusian citizens proceed to the immigration counter to initiate the clearance process. They fill out a visa application form, providing personal information, passport details, and intended travel plans. If their application is approved, they receive their Turkish visa via email, which they must print out and carry with them during their trip.

Additional Information

Belarusian citizens ranked 61st in the world in 2024 for their visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 81 countries and territories.

Turkish visa requirements for Belarusian citizens

Overview

Belarusian citizens do not need a tourist visa to enter Turkey. This visa-free arrangement has been in place since 29 April 2013. Belarusian citizens can stay in Turkey for up to 30 days continuously from the date of their entry into the country, with a total stay of no more than 90 days in any given year from the date of the first entry.

Required Documents

When applying for the visa-free entry, Belarusian citizens are required to have:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond their intended stay in Turkey and at least two blank visa pages.
• A travel itinerary, including travel dates, flight numbers, and any layovers or connections.
• Proof of sufficient funds for their stay and return journey, such as bank statements, pay slips, or tax records.

Application Process

Upon arrival in Turkey, Belarusian citizens should proceed to the immigration counter to initiate the clearance process. They will need to fill out a visa application form, providing personal information, passport details, and intended travel plans. If the application is approved, the Turkish visa will be sent via email, which must then be downloaded and printed to be carried when travelling in the country.

Important Considerations

• The processing time for the Turkish visa is typically within two hours.
• Visa-free entry is granted for a maximum total stay of 90 days within one year.
• Overstaying the visa-free period can result in fines, penalties, and potential bans from entering Turkey in the future.
• Belarusian citizens intending to work, study, or stay beyond 30 days in Turkey should apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Ankara or the Consulate General in Istanbul.

How to apply for a Turkish visa from Belarus

As of 2024, Belarusian citizens can enter Turkey without a visa for a maximum of 30 days in any given year from the date of the first entry. However, if you are planning to stay for more than 30 days, work, study, or research in Turkey, you will need to apply for a visa. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Turkish visa from Belarus:

• Book an appointment at the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in Belarus. You can find the contact information for the Turkish Embassy in Minsk and the Consulate in Istanbul online.
• Gather the required documents, including:

• A valid passport with at least two blank pages and a copy of the passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months after your expected date of departure from Turkey.
• A completed application form with no blank spaces. If a question does not apply, write "N/A," and if the answer is none, write "NONE." The form must bear your original signature and be easy to read.
• One passport-sized colour photograph taken within the last six months. The photograph must meet specific requirements regarding the size of the face in the picture, the background, and the lighting.
• Visa support documents depending on the purpose of your travel.
• Proof of legal stay in Turkey if you are a citizen of a third country.
• Proof of loss of Belarusian citizenship, if applicable.
• For minors, a copy of the child's birth certificate and copies of the parents' passport main information pages.

• Pay the consular fees. The fee for a standard visa is 60 euros, and for an urgent visa, it is 120 euros. The fees must be paid at the specified bank, and you will need to provide the receipt as proof of payment.
• Obtain medical insurance that is valid in Turkey.
• Attend the visa interview, if necessary. The consular officer may request an interview to ask additional questions and clarify the information provided in your application.
• Wait for the processing of your visa application. The consular officer will make a decision within five working days or within two working days for urgent applications.
• Receive your visa and carefully check it for any mistakes. If there are any errors, return the visa to the Consulate for corrections before your departure.

Please note that visas cannot be changed or extended. If your travel plans change after the visa is issued, you will need to re-apply for a new visa. Also, the period of temporary stay in Turkey for Belarusian citizens is determined by the duration of their visa and cannot exceed 90 days in a year.

Turkish visa application processing time

The processing time for a Turkish visa application is dependent on the type of visa being applied for. For the traditional Turkish sticker visa, the processing time is typically 15 working days from the day the application form is submitted and the interview is attended. However, this period can be shorter or longer depending on various factors. In some cases, applicants may receive feedback within 3 days of attending the interview. On the other hand, in consulates with a backlog of applicants, the processing time may be extended by several days.

The Turkey e-visa, an electronic visa, offers a faster processing time. The online application process usually takes between 30 minutes and 24 hours, with most applicants receiving their e-visa within 24 hours of submission. It is recommended to apply for the e-visa at least 72 hours before the intended travel date, but applications can be made up to 180 days in advance.

Factors Affecting Processing Time

Several factors can influence the processing time for a Turkish visa:

• Application volume during peak seasons: During peak travel seasons, the high volume of visa applications can result in slower processing times.
• Accuracy of submitted information: Inaccurate or incomplete information on the application form may lead to delays in processing.
• Document quality and format: Ensuring that all required documents are provided in the correct format and are complete is crucial for avoiding delays.
• Time of application: Applying during Turkish business hours (GMT+3) can result in faster processing times.

Turkish visa denial

Since 2014, there has been an agreement for visa-free travel between Belarus and Turkey. This means that Belarusian citizens can enter Turkey without a visa for a maximum of 30 days in any given year from the date of first entry. However, if they wish to stay longer than 30 days, they will need to apply for a visa at the Turkish Embassy in Ankara or the Consulate in Istanbul.

If you are a Belarusian citizen and your Turkish visa application has been denied, there are several possible reasons for this. Firstly, you may already have an active visa that has not expired. In this case, there is no need to apply for a new one. Another reason could be the speculation that you intend to overstay your visit, based on factors such as your travel history, country of origin, or age. Your name may also be similar to one on Turkey's entry ban list, or you may be from a country whose citizens are not eligible for a Turkish e-visa.

Other reasons for Turkish visa rejection include:

• Failure to provide accurate information on your application, such as your reason for visiting, the conditions of your stay, and proof of financial sustainability.
• A history that indicates you may not return to your country of origin or move to a third country, such as having a criminal record.
• Provision of false information or incomplete documentation in your application.
• A passport that will not be valid for at least 150 days after your planned entry to Turkey.
• Insufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
• Lack of a valid medical insurance policy for your stay.
• An unclear or poorly planned travel itinerary.
• A criminal record or health condition that poses a security or public health risk.

If your Turkish visa application is rejected, it is recommended to contact the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your country to seek clarification and guidance on the next steps. You may also apply for another visa online after rectifying any issues with your previous application.

Frequently asked questions