UAE citizens can enter Türkiye visa-free for up to 90 days. UAE residents on other passports must apply for either an e-Visa online or a sticker visa through VFS Global.
Here’s exactly which option fits your nationality, the documents you need, the fees, and how long approval takes.
Visa and Entry Options for UAE Residents
Türkiye offers three entry routes for travellers based in the UAE. Your passport nationality, not your UAE residency, decides which one applies to you.
The official rules are set by the Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the official e-Visa portal.
Visa-Free Entry
UAE passport holders do not need a visa to enter Türkiye for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
This applies to ordinary, diplomatic, and service passports. You need a passport valid for at least 150 days from your date of entry into Türkiye (calculated as 60 days beyond the maximum 90-day stay). This rule is applied strictly regardless of how long you actually plan to stay.
e-Visa
Most UAE expat residents apply through the official e-Visa system. It is fully online, paid in US dollars, and emailed within minutes to 24 hours in most cases.
Eligibility depends on passport nationality. Citizens of countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Egypt qualify only with a supporting valid Schengen, UK, US, or Ireland visa or residence permit.
Sticker Visa
If you do not qualify for visa-free entry or the e-Visa, you must apply for a sticker visa through VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the official partner of the Türkiye Consulate.
This route applies to nationalities outside the e-Visa list and to applicants who do not hold a qualifying second visa for e-Visa eligibility.
How to Check Your Eligibility
Türkiye’s e-Visa list groups eligible nationalities across several regions. Find yours below — full list on the official MFA eligibility page.
South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan
- Southeast Asia and East Asia: Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor, Taiwan, Hong Kong (BN(O))
- Middle East and North Africa: Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine
- Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa, Senegal, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia
- Caribbean and Latin America: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, Haiti, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname
- Europe and Other: Greek Cypriot Administration, Armenia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
To confirm, open the e-Visa portal, click Apply, and select your passport nationality. The system shows instantly if you qualify and what supporting documents you need.
Required Documents
Document requirements differ between the e-Visa and the sticker visa. Use the right list for your route.
For e-Visa Applicants
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Türkiye
- Valid UAE residence visa or Emirates ID
- Active email address for the e-Visa delivery
- Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, or other supported card with 3D Secure enabled
- For nationalities that need it: a valid Schengen, UK, US, or Ireland visa or residence permit
For Sticker Visa Applicants
Submitted through the Türkiye Consulate via VFS Global UAE:
- Original passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages
- Completed visa application form, signed
- Recent colour passport-size photo
- UAE residence visa copy or Emirates ID
- Confirmed return flight ticket and hotel booking
- 3 months of stamped bank statements
- NOC letter from your sponsor or employer
- Travel health insurance covering your stay
How to Apply
For the e-Visa
The e-Visa application takes around 10 minutes if your documents are ready.
- Go to evisa.gov.tr and click Apply
- Select your country of travel document and travel dates
- The system confirms eligibility and lists any extra requirements
- Fill in personal and passport details exactly as they appear in your passport
- Verify your email within 1 hour and complete payment within 48 hours
- Pay the visa fee in US dollars by credit or debit card
- Receive your e-Visa by email and print or save a copy
Carry your printed e-Visa or a digital copy on arrival. Any mismatch between your e-Visa and passport details makes the visa invalid with no refund.
For the Sticker Visa
Sticker visa applications are submitted in person at VFS Global Türkiye centres in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
- Visit the VFS Global Türkiye UAE portal and create an account
- Select Tourist, Business, or your relevant visa category
- Complete the application form and book an appointment slot
- Gather all required documents (see Sticker Visa Applicants list above)
- Attend your appointment in person — biometrics may be captured
- Pay the consular fee plus VFS service charge in cash or by card
- Track your application online and collect your passport once notified
Apply at least 3 weeks before travel. During summer and Eid holidays, processing can stretch to 20 working days.
Fees, Validity, and Processing Time
Government e-Visa fees are paid in US dollars and depend on your nationality. Sticker visa fees through VFS are higher and vary by passport.
| Visa Type | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| UAE passport (visa-free) | No fee | No application needed |
| e-Visa (most nationalities) | USD 20–60 | Minutes to 24 hours |
| Sticker visa (consulate via VFS) | From AED 225 onwards (plus VFS service charges) | 5–15 working days |
The Türkiye e-Visa allows stays of up to 30 or 90 days (depending on nationality) within a 180-day validity window. Whether the e-Visa is single-entry or multiple-entry also depends on your nationality. Your total stay across entries cannot exceed the duration specified on your e-Visa.
You must enter Türkiye on or after the start date on your e-Visa. Entering earlier requires a fresh application. Plan flights to Istanbul, Antalya, or Ankara after your e-Visa is approved.
Search live flight options on flights to Türkiye on Wego, and book hotels in Istanbul or hotels in Antalya for your stay.
Important Checks Before You Travel
A few overlooked rules cause most airport refusals and rejected applications.
- 150-day passport rule (visa-free entry). For visa-free entry, your passport must be valid for at least 150 days from entry (60 days beyond the maximum 90-day stay). For e-Visa holders, the requirement is at least 6 months from your entry date. Türkiye enforces this strictly at boarding and at the border
- Name mismatch. Even one missing letter between your e-Visa and passport invalidates the visa with no refund
- Early arrival. You cannot enter before the start date on your e-Visa. Reapply if your travel date moves earlier
- UAE residence visa expiry. Your residence visa must be valid throughout the trip, including the supporting document for e-Visa eligibility
- Fake websites. Apply only on evisa.gov.tr. Third-party sites charge inflated service fees and have no official link to the Türkiye government
If Your e-Visa Is Rejected
Most rejections come from passport-name mismatches, an expired UAE residence visa, or a missing or expired supporting Schengen, UK, US, or Ireland visa (required for many nationalities, not just Indian and Pakistani passport holders).
The e-Visa system does not offer appeals. Your next step is a sticker visa application through VFS Global with full supporting documents. Allow extra time before your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian passport holders in the UAE apply for a Türkiye e-Visa without a Schengen, UK, or US visa?
No. Indian citizens, along with several other nationalities (including Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, and Afghan passport holders), must hold a valid Schengen, UK, US, or Ireland visa or residence permit to qualify for the e-Visa. Without one, you must apply for a sticker visa through VFS Global.
How long does the Türkiye e-Visa take to arrive?
Most e-Visas are approved within minutes to 24 hours. In rare cases, processing may take up to 3 business days. Apply at least a week before travel to be safe.
Can I extend my Türkiye e-Visa beyond 90 days?
No. The stay limit on your e-Visa (30 or 90 days, depending on nationality) cannot be extended on the same e-Visa. For longer stays, apply for a residence permit at a Türkiye Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
Is the e-Visa valid for work or study in Türkiye?
No. The e-Visa is only for tourism, business meetings, and transit. Work and study require dedicated visas applied for through a Türkiye consulate before travel.
Can I enter Türkiye through any airport with an e-Visa?
Yes. The e-Visa is accepted at all Türkiye international airports and land borders, including Istanbul (IST and SAW), Antalya (AYT), Ankara (ESB), Izmir (ADB), and Bodrum (BJV).
Sources
- Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa Information for Foreigners
- Republic of Türkiye Official e-Visa Portal
- Türkiye e-Visa Eligibility List
- Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Dubai
- VFS Global Türkiye Visa Application Centre — UAE
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
