Turkey Transit Visa for Afghanistan Citizens
The Turkey Transit Visa was introduced by the government on April 15, 2024 for geopolitical issues. Afghans are required to apply for an Electronic Airport Transit Visa in order to transit through the Turkish international airport to board the flight to another country.
What is the Turkey Transit Visa? Why is it essential to apply?
With the help of the Turkey Transit Visa, citizens of Afghanistan will be able to stay in the international transit area of Turkish airports during layover to board a connecting flight to a third country. The maximum layover allowed in the Turkish international airport with the Electronic Airport Transit Visa is 24 hours, which cannot be extended. It can only be used for staying within the airport, leaving the airport is not allowed.
Important Features of the Turkey Transit Visa: How it benefits?
To apply for the Turkey Electronic Airport Transit Visa, you can apply online through the eVisa website, here is a list of the important features it offers:
Main purpose of the transit visa
- It allows Afghanistan passport holders to transit through the authorised international airport in Turkey.
- Only those who have a connecting flight to another country can apply for this visa.
Turkey Transit Visa Application Method
- Afghanistan citizens with valid passports can apply for the Turkey Transit Visa or e-ATV (Electronic Airport Transit Visa).
Eligibility criterias to apply
- Afghanistan citizens can apply only if they have a valid passport, connecting flight ticket and the visa of the destination they are traveling to.
Permission to enter mainland Turkey not allowed
- The Turkey Transit Visa is solely for staying in the international transit area of Turkish airports, he cannot leave the transit area.
- Afghanistan passport holders wishing to enter mainland Turkey will need to apply for another visa like Turkey tourism visa or business visa, for whatever purpose they want to enter the country.
Stay allowed in the airport
- The Turkey Transit Visa is allowed for only single transit and offers a duration of 24 hours in the international transit area of Turkish airports during layover to board a connecting flight to a third country.
Who should apply for the Turkey Transit Visa or e-ATV?
As mentioned earlier the Turkey Transit visa can be applied by Afghan citizens who have a layover in a Turkey international airport. It is mandatory for the travelers with Afghan passports to have the Turkey Transit Visa for boarding a connecting international flight.
Additional Notes
- With the Turkey Transit Visa travelers can stay in the transit area of the airport for a short duration, it must not exceed more than 24 hours.
- With the Turkey Transit Visa, Afghan citizens will have a smooth transiting experience.
- Travelers must have all the documents, that includes his connecting flight ticket, details of the destination he will be traveling to, etc.
Eligibility Requirements for Afghan citizens
The eligibility requirements for the Afghanistan citizens to apply for the Turkey Transit Visa or e-ATV (Electronic Airport Transit Visa) must have:
Stay within the Transit Area:
- Afghan citizens with the Turkey Transit Visa must remain in the international transit area of Turkish airports during layover to board a connecting flight to another country.
- The traveler cannot leave the transit area and is not permitted for entry into Turkey.
A valid passport:
- Travelers must hold an Afghan passport.
- The passport used should have a validity period of 6-months, that includes even after departure.
- Also the passport used should have blank pages for getting visa stamps.
Destination Visa Permit:
- The traveler must have a visa of the destination he is traveling to from Turkey.
- The traveler must show the documents as proof that he has a visa for his final destination and that he is leaving the Turkish Airport within the specified time offered.
Onward travel documents:
- Must have an onward or connecting flight ticket to another country.
- The connecting flight from Turkish airport should have a layover less than 24 hours.
Proof of money:
- The traveler must show proof that he has money to cover his transit expenses.
Travel Health Insurance:
- Although it is not compulsory, it is better to have health insurance in case of emergencies or any unwanted incidents happen.
Other essential points to consider
- The main purpose of Turkey Transit Visa is for transiting, and not for any other reason.
- If there’s a need to leave the airport transit area, a standard Turkey visa will be required.
- Those travelers who would need to leave the transit area of the airport, will need to apply for some other Turkey visa like business visa or tourist visa.
- The documents required to be submitted to apply for the Turkey Transit Visa must be genuine and accurate, this will help to avoid unwanted delays or rejection of the transit visa.
Validity of Turkey Transit Visa for Afghan Citizens
The validity conditions of the Turkey Transit Visa for Afghan citizens comprises of the following:
Duration of stay permitted:
- The stay allowed with the Turkey Transit Visa for Afghan citizens is 24 hours in the transit area of Turkish airports.
- With the Turkey Transit Visa, Afghan citizens cannot leave the airport.
Single Transit:
- The Turkey Transit Visa for Afghan citizens is valid for single transit, covering only one layover in Turkey to board the flight for his next destination.
Essential points to take a note of
Exit from the transit area is not allowed: With the Turkey Transit Visa, travelers have to remain in the transit area. Afghans who want to exit from the airport or if their layover is more than 24 hours, they will have to apply for Turkey eVisa or other regular visa.
Extension of transit visa not allowed: The duration of the transit visa cannot be extended, and once applied, it cannot be converted to some other visa.
For re-entry: In case the traveler has multiple layovers in Turkey, during a round trip, he will have to apply for a separate transit visa.
Travelers are therefore suggested to check if the transit schedule fits with the transit visa’s duration offered to avoid any complications. For any exceptional cases you can consult the Turkey embassy or the consulate or contact us.
Application Process for Turkey Transit Visa for Afghan Citizens
Afghanistan passport holders who has to transit through airport in Turkey will have to follow some steps to apply:
Check whether you are eligible or not
- A valid visa of the country you are traveling to.
- A connecting flight ticket to another destination.
- A valid Afghanistan passport, at least 6-months valid even after departure.
Visit the Turkey Transit Visa site
- Go to the Turkish e-Visa website to apply for the Turkey Transit Visa: turkeyvisa.org
Submit the completed Transit visa online application form
- When you land on the transit visa online application form page, you will see some basic questions like full name, surname, date of birth, email address, nationality, mobile number, and passport details.
- Provide travel information like your onward flight ticket of the destination you are traveling to.
- To receive the transit visa provide the Email Address
Upload requested additional documents
- Provide scanned passport bio-data page.
- Confirmed ticket of your connecting flight.
- Valid visa of the country you are visiting.
Paying the application fees for transit visa
- Use a credit or credit to pay the Turkey Transit Visa fees.
- The Turkey Transit Visa Application fees will vary depending on your nationality.
Wait to receive the final status
- It will take some time to verify the transit visa application form.
- If approved the transit visa will be mailed to the applicant.
Print the transit visa mailed
- The transit visa that is mailed to you must be downloaded and a printed copy should be taken
- Keep this transit visa with you to show during the check-in process at the Turkish airport.
What happens during Transit?
- The traveler has to show his passport, onward flight ticket and approved transit visa at the airport.
- Stay within the international transit area unless explicitly permitted otherwise.
Other important notes to check
- The transit visa is valid for 24 hours and cannot be extended.
- Afghans cannot leave the transit area with the Turkey Transit visa.
- Those whose layover exceeds 24 hours will have to apply for eVisa.
- If you have any queries or want any assistance for Turkey visas, you can contact us.
Check your eligibility for Turkey Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Maldivian citizens, Australian citizens, Jamaican citizens and Sri Lankan citizens can apply online for Electronic Turkey Visa.