Which Countries Can You Visit Visa-Free With a Turkish Passport?

Visa-free travel for Turkish citizens

Türkiye ranks 92nd out of 199 in the passport ranking for travel: Turkish citizens can enter 143 countries without a visa.

The list of visa-free destinations also includes countries that issue visas on arrival, e-visas, and electronic travel authorisations. These documents can be obtained online or at a border checkpoint, so Tuskish nationals do not need to visit an embassy.

Visa-free entry is available to Turkish citizens in 90 countries. These include Japan and Caribbean states such as Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, and Dominica. Travellers only need their passport to cross the border.

A visa on arrival is available in 16 countries, including Bangladesh and Egypt. The visa is issued at the airport or a border checkpoint.

To obtain a visa on arrival, travellers may need to provide biometric data and additional information, such as the purpose of the trip, return tickets, and proof of funds.

Visa fees vary by country. For example, the fee in Egypt is $25, while visas on arrival in the Maldives are free of charge.

An e-visa is available to Turkish citizens for 30 destinations. In some countries, such as Ethiopia and Namibia, travellers may obtain a visa on arrival instead of an e-visa.

The application process is completed online. Applicants fill out a form on the embassy’s website, upload the required documents, pay the visa fee, and wait for the visa to be issued. A printed copy of the e-visa and the passport must be presented at the border checkpoint.

Visa fees range from $25 to 100, depending on the country. Standard processing takes up to 10 days. For example, an e-visa for Vietnam is usually processed within 3 working days.

An electronic travel authorisation, or eTA, is available to Turkish citizens for [[eTA:tr]] countries: Kenya, Mexico, St Kitts and Nevis, South Korea, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. 

The validity period and number of permitted entries vary by destination. For example, Mexico’s electronic authorisation is valid for 30 days and one entry, while South Korea’s K-ETA is valid for up to 3 years and can be used for multiple trips.

Travellers apply for an eTA on the website of the immigration authority of the destination country. Processing takes from a few minutes to 2—3 days. Applicants need to complete an online form, upload the required documents, and pay the relevant fee. For example, the eTA fee for Seychelles ranges from €10 to 70, and processing takes 1 to 24 hours ^[1] Source: The cost of obtaining a visa to Seychelles is listed on the Seychelles Electronic Border System .

Foreigners can obtain Turkish citizenship by investment of at least $400,000 in real estate. Alternatively, they can invest $500,000+ in fund shares or an existing business, or place a deposit of $500,000+ with a Turkish bank. 

The process of obtaining Türkiye citizenship takes 12 months. The investor’s spouse and children under 18 may join the application.

Which countries can Turkish passport holders visit

Turkish citizens can stay for 7 to 360 days in countries with visa-free entry. The permitted length of stay depends on the destination. To stay longer, travellers must obtain a visa or residence permit.

Visa requirements change periodically. Before travelling, it is recommended to check the current entry requirements on the official websites of the relevant consulates and embassies.

Latest changes to visa rules for Turkish citizens

Montenegro reintroduces visas for Turkish citizens. Turkish citizens can currently visit Montenegro visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. Starting November 1st, 2026, they will need a visa as Montenegro aligns its visa policy with the European Union ^[2] Source: News about Montenegro’s decision to reintroduce visas for Turkish citizens has been published on the country’s government website .

Oman removed the requirement to obtain a visa in advance. Since November 1st, 2025, Turkish citizens with ordinary passports have not needed to obtain a visa before travelling to Oman. They may stay in the country for up to 30 days per visit and no more than 90 days within a 180-day period ^[3] Source: News regarding the introduction of a visa-free regime with Oman for Turkish citizens has been published on the country's Foreign Ministry website .

Armenia and Türkiye simplified visa procedures for special passport holders. Since January 1st, 2026, holders of diplomatic, service, and special passports have been able to obtain an e-visa free of charge ^[4] Source: News regarding the simplified visa process for Turkish citizens traveling to Armenia has been published on the country's Interior Ministry website .

The European Union eased visa requirements. The changes took effect on July 15th, 2025, for Turkish citizens who reside in Türkiye and apply there. Applicants who have lawfully used 2 visas within the previous 3 years become eligible for a multiple-entry visa, initially valid for 1 year, followed by visas valid for 3 and 5 years ^[5] Source: News regarding the introduction of special conditions for Turkish citizens to obtain Schengen visas has been published on the European Commission's website .

Greece extended its simplified visa scheme for travel to selected islands. Turkish citizens can obtain a short-term visa on arrival when travelling to islands in the Eastern Aegean Sea.

The simplified visa is available for travel to 12 Greek islands: Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Lesbos, Chios, Leros, Lemnos, Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, Symi, Patmos, and Samothrace. The visa is valid for up to 7 days and does not permit travel to mainland Greece or other countries in the Schengen Area.

Taiwan replaced visas on arrival with e-visas. Since January 15th, 2026, holders of ordinary and special Turkish passports receive a single-entry e-visa instead of a visa on arrival. The e-visa is valid for 3 months and allows a stay of up to 30 days. It is free of charge ^[6] Source: Information that the e-visa is issued free of charge is provided on the website of Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs .

Thailand reduced the visa-free stay for Turkish citizens. Starting September 15th, 2026, holders of ordinary Turkish passports can stay in Thailand without visas for up to 30 days instead of 60 days ^[7] Source: Information on Thailand’s updated visa exemption rules is provided on the website of Thailand’s Department of Consular Affairs .

Schengen visa for Turkish citizens

Türkiye is not part of the Schengen Area, so its citizens need a visa to travel to Schengen countries. A short-stay Type C visa allows its holder to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

A Schengen visa for Turkish citizens is obtained in advance from the embassy or consulate of the destination country. Applicants should apply at least 15 days before the planned trip, but no earlier than 6 months in advance. An interview appointment can be booked on the embassy’s website or in person.

Before the interview, applicants need to prepare the following documents:

1. Visa application form.
2. Photographs measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
3. Passport valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure from the Schengen Area.
4. Tickets and proof of accommodation.
5. Travel insurance policy.
6. Proof of financial means, such as a bank statement or sponsorship letter.
7. Receipt confirming payment of the visa fee: €90 for an adult and €45 for a child aged 6 to 12.
8. Additional documents depending on the purpose of travel, such as an employment contract or a letter from a university.

A Schengen visa is usually processed within 15 days, although processing may take up to 45 days in some cases.

How to obtain Turkish citizenship

A Turkish passport can be obtained by descent, investment, marriage, or naturalisation. To qualify for Turkish citizenship by naturalisation, an applicant generally needs to have lived in Türkiye for at least 5 years and have a basic command of Turkish.

For investors, the citizenship process takes 12 months. Applicants do not need to take a language exam or renounce their existing citizenship, as Türkiye recognises multiple citizenship.

Investment options available to applicants include:

1. Purchasing one or more properties — at least $400,000.
2. Purchasing securities — at least $500,000. An investor may buy government bonds or units in venture capital and investment funds.
3. Investing in a business — at least $500,000. An investor may contribute to the share capital of a Turkish company or establish their own company and create at least 50 jobs for Turkish citizens.
4. Opening a deposit account with a Turkish bank — at least $500,000.

An investor may withdraw their investment after 3 years, for example by selling securities or closing a bank deposit.

The investor’s spouse in a legally recognised marriage and children under 18 may obtain Turkish citizenship together with the investor.

Turkish citizenship by investment allows visa-free travel to 143 destinations. It also enables holders to apply for a Schengen visa and gives access to the US E-2 Visa route, which allows eligible applicants to live and work in the United States.

Key points about visa-free travel with a Turkish passport

1. Turkish passport holders can travel visa-free to 90 countries, including Argentina, Japan, and Thailand. A visa on arrival is required for 16 countries.
2. Turkish passport holders need a visa to travel within the Schengen Area. Frequent travellers may qualify for a multiple-entry Schengen visa valid for up to 5 years. The visa allows its holder to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
3. Turkish citizenship can be obtained by investment of $400,000. Applicants choose from several options, including purchasing real estate, making a fixed capital investment, buying eligible securities or fund shares, opening a bank deposit, or creating at least 50 jobs.