Do You Need a Turkey Transit Visa?
Whether you need a transit visa for a layover in Türkiye depends on where you stay in the airport, how your flights are booked, and your passport nationality.
The short answer for most travelers: if you stay airside in the international transit lounge on a single through-ticket, you don't need a transit visa at all. The moment you clear immigration — whether by choice or because your booking forces you to — different rules apply.
A small group of nationalities face a mandatory Electronic Airport Transit Visa (e-ATV) even while staying airside, on specific routes through Istanbul Airport.
Airside transit on a through-ticket
No visa needed
e-ATV cost
Free
Visa-exempt landside stay
Up to 90 days
When You Do NOT Need a Transit Visa (Airside Transit)
If you meet all of the following conditions during your layover, you do not require a transit visa:
- You remain inside the international transit lounge without passing through Turkish passport control or immigration
- Your flights are booked under a single ticket or PNR, and your checked baggage is checked all the way through to your final destination
- Your passport nationality is not subject to the special Electronic Airport Transit Visa (e-ATV) rules
When You DO Need an Entry Visa or e-Visa (Landside Transit)
You must officially clear immigration and hold a valid entry visa or e-Visa if your layover involves any of the following:
Self-Transfer / Separate Tickets
You booked flights on separate airlines or separate tickets, requiring you to clear passport control, collect your luggage from baggage claim, and check in landside for your next flight.
Airport Change
You need to travel between different airports — for example, transferring between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW).
Leaving the Terminal / City Tour
You plan to step outside the airport for an overnight hotel stay or an Istanbul layover city tour.
Special Requirement: Mandatory e-ATV (Airside Transit)
Eligible nationalities
- Detail
- Citizens of Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, India, Mauritania, Nepal, Somalia, and Yemen
Route
- Detail
- Transiting through Istanbul Airport (IST) on the way to Mexico, Panama, Colombia, or Venezuela
Cost
- Detail
- Free of charge
How to obtain
- Detail
- Apply online before travel at the official government portal, evisa.gov.tr
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligible nationalities | Citizens of Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, India, Mauritania, Nepal, Somalia, and Yemen |
| Route | Transiting through Istanbul Airport (IST) on the way to Mexico, Panama, Colombia, or Venezuela |
| Cost | Free of charge |
| How to obtain | Apply online before travel at the official government portal, evisa.gov.tr |
Visa-Exempt Passport Holders
Landside Exit Without a Visa
Citizens holding passports from visa-exempt countries — such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most EU member states — can exit the airport landside for up to 90 days without needing a transit visa or e-Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a Layover or a Longer Stay in Türkiye?
From checking your specific visa requirements to planning what to do during a long layover — our team can help you sort out exactly what applies to you.
Schedule Your Visa Strategy Call