Istanbul's Visa-Free Revolution: 107 Countries Now Welcome Istanbul, a city connecting Europe and Asia, allows visa-free entry for short stays for tourists and business travellers from many countries, including the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. By Priyal Dutta 03 Jul 2024 | Updated On 07 Jul 2024 16:35 IST in Travel Industry New Update A large number of nations now have visa-free entrance to Istanbul for short visits Listen to this article 0.75x 1x 1.5x 00:00 / 00:00 Follow Us Share Istanbul is a city that connects Europe and Asia, making it easy for tourists and business travellers to visit without a visa. Many countries have visa-free entry to Istanbul for short stays, including several Schengen nations and countries outside the Schengen zone such as the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. This easy access is beneficial for leisure travellers, allowing them to plan spontaneous trips without the hassle of visa applications. Tourists are attracted to Istanbul for its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant atmosphere, with attractions ranging from ancient landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to modern art galleries. For business travellers, Istanbul's status as a major economic hub and its strategic location make it an attractive destination for international conferences and corporate events. The city's connectivity through Turkish Airlines, which offers extensive flight networks, makes it a convenient transit point for travellers from the Middle East. Additionally, Istanbul's cultural and historical landscape has made it a popular filming location for many well-known movies such as "From Russia with Love," "Skyfall," "The International," and "Taken 2," which showcase the city's iconic sites and landmarks. These movies bring international attention to Istanbul and boost tourism as viewers are inspired to visit the captivating locations seen on screen. Holidaymakers and leisure travellers are drawn to Istanbul for its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant atmosphere List of Visa-Free and e-Visa Eligible Countries for Entry to Istanbul Citizens of the following countries can enter Istanbul (Türkiye) without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period: Germany Belgium France Netherlands Spain Italy Luxembourg Malta Portugal Greece Poland Hungary Czech Republic Slovakia Slovenia Austria Finland Sweden Denmark Norway Iceland Liechtenstein Switzerland European Union (Non-Schengen) Citizens from the following EU countries outside the Schengen Zone can also enter Istanbul without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period: Bulgaria Romania Croatia Balkans Residents of the following Balkan countries enjoy visa-free access to Istanbul for up to 90 days within a 180-day period: Bosnia and Herzegovina Montenegro North Macedonia Serbia Kosovo Certain Asian countries also have visa-free access for different durations: 1. Japan (up to 90 days)2. South Korea (up to 90 days)3. Singapore (up to 90 days)4. Malaysia (up to 90 days)5. Hong Kong (up to 90 days)6. Israel (up to 90 days)7. Georgia (up to 90 days with a national ID) Certain Countries can enter Türkiye using just their national ID cards: 1. Germany2. Belgium3. France4. Georgia5. Netherlands6. Spain7. Switzerland8. Italy9. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus10. Liechtenstein11. Luxembourg12. Malta13. Portugal14. Ukraine15. Greece16. Poland17. Bulgaria18. Hungary19. Moldova20. Azerbaijan21. Romania e-Visa Eligible Countries Citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for an e-visa: 1. Antigua and Barbuda2. Armenia3. Australia4. Austria5. Bahamas6. Bahrain7. Barbados8. Belarus9. Belgium10. Canada11. Croatia12. Dominica13. Dominican Republic14. Greek Cypriot Administration15. Grenada16. Haiti17. Hong Kong18. Hungary19. Indonesia20. Ireland21. Jamaica22. Kuwait23. Maldives24. Malta25. Mauritius26. Netherlands27. Norway28. Oman29. Poland30. Portugal31. Qatar32. Saint Lucia33. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines34. Saudi Arabia35. Slovakia36. South Africa37. Spain38. USA39. United Arab Emirates40. United Kingdom Citizens of the following countries can also apply for an e-visa under certain conditions: 1. Algeria2. Angola3. Bangladesh4. Benin5. Botswana6. Burkina Faso7. Burundi8. Cameroon9. Cape Verde10. Central African Republic11. Chad12. Comoros13. Côte d’Ivoire14. Democratic Republic of the Congo15. Djibouti16. Egypt17. Equatorial Guinea18. Eritrea19. Ethiopia20. Gabon21. Gambia22. Ghana23. Guinea24. Guinea-Bissau25. India26. Iraq27. Kenya28. Lesotho29. Liberia30. Madagascar31. Malawi32. Mali33. Mauritania34. Mexico35. Republic of Congo36. Republic of Moldova37. Mozambique38. Namibia39. Niger40. Nigeria41. Pakistan42. Rwanda43. Sao Tome and Principe44. Senegal45. Sierra Leone46. Somalia47. Sudan48. Swaziland49. Togo50. Uganda51. United Republic of Tanzania52. Yemen53. Zambia54. Zimbabwe For business and corporate travel, Istanbul’s status as a major economic hub makes it an attractive destination Benefits for Visa-Free TravellersTravellers from countries that do not require a visa to enter Istanbul stand to benefit significantly from the city’s top airlines and airports. Here’s how: Seamless Travel Experience: Visa-free entry simplifies the travel process, allowing holidaymakers, leisure travellers, and business professionals to plan spontaneous trips without the hassle of visa applications. Efficient customs and immigration procedures at both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport ensure a smooth entry and exit experience. 2. Extensive Connectivity: Turkish Airlines’ vast network connects Istanbul to numerous international destinations, making it convenient for travellers from visa-exempt countries to reach Istanbul directly. The presence of budget carriers like Pegasus Airlines provides affordable travel options, enhancing accessibility for a broader range of travelers. 3. Enhanced Tourism Opportunities: Istanbul's ease of entry encourages more tourists to visit, boosting the city’s tourism sector. This influx benefits local businesses and contributes to the economy. For business travellers, the city’s strategic location and excellent flight connectivity make it an ideal destination for international conferences, meetings, and corporate events. 4. Cultural and Economic Exchange: Visa-free travel fosters greater cultural exchange and strengthens ties between Türkiye and other nations. It promotes mutual understanding and collaboration across various sectors, including tourism, trade, and education. #Travel #Tourism #turkey Subscribe to our Newsletter! Be the first to get exclusive offers and the latest news Subscribe Now Related Articles Latest Stories Read the Next Article