Understanding Türkiye visa processing times is essential for planning a smooth trip. Whether you are visiting for tourism, business, study, or work, knowing how long each visa type takes can help you avoid last-minute problems. This Türkiye visa guide explains common processing times, factors that affect approval, and useful tips to speed up the process.
What are Türkiye visa processing times?
Türkiye visa processing times refer to how long it takes the Turkish authorities to review your application and issue a visa. Processing times vary by visa type, your nationality, the embassy or consulate location, and the quality of your submitted documents.
There are two main visa categories:
e-Visa (for eligible tourists/business travelers)
Sticker visa (applied through a Turkish embassy or consulate)
Each category has different timelines.
Visa type | Average processing time |
e-Visa | Instant–48 hours |
Tourist/Business Sticker Visa | 5–15 working days |
Work Visa | 15–45 working days |
Study Visa | 15–45 working days |
Long-Term Visa | Up to 60 days |
Türkiye e-Visa processing times
The Türkiye e-Visa is the fastest option and is available to citizens of many countries. You can check your eligibility here. Applications are submitted online, and the process is automated. Typical Türkiye e-Visa processing time:
Instant to a few minutes for most applicants
In some cases up to 24–48 hours if extra checks are needed
Türkiye sticker visa processing times
Travelers who are not eligible for an e-Visa or who need a visa for work, study, or long-term stays must apply for a sticker visa at a Turkish embassy or consulate. Processing times vary, but general estimates are:
Tourist/business sticker visa: 5 to 15 working days
Work or study visa: 15 to 45 working days
Long-term residence visa: Sometimes up to 60 days
Some embassies publish their own timelines. For example, several Turkish missions in Asia and Europe state processing can take 4–10 working days, depending on location and document volume.
What affects Türkiye visa processing times?
Many factors influence how quickly your visa is approved. The most common include:
Factor | How it affects your processing time |
Nationality | Some nationalities require deeper security checks, which can slow approval. |
Completeness of documents | Missing, unclear, or incorrect documents often lead to delays or requests for additional information. |
Visa category | Work, study, and long-term visas require extra verification (employer, school, background checks), resulting in longer processing times. |
Embassy / Consulate workload | High application volume, holidays, or peak travel seasons can extend the waiting period. |
Security screening | Random or additional security checks may add extra days to the process. |
How early should you apply?
To avoid stress, it’s best to apply well ahead of your travel date. Recommended timelines are:
e-Visa: At least 48 hours before your flight (many travelers apply 1–2 weeks early).
Sticker visa: Apply 3–6 weeks before your travel date.
Work or study visa: Apply 6–8 weeks early due to longer verification steps.
Applying early reduces the impact of delays and gives you time to correct issues if the embassy requests extra documents.
