Istanbul
Turkey entry visas for British
Nationals
By Chris Elliott
For those British Citizens living in North Cyprus or where ever, the temptation to visit and see the wonders of Turkey are so well worth the journey but they should remember that an entry visa is required and this is now obtained online as an E-visa.
We are showing below the details concerning entry visas to Turkey published on the British Government Website under Foreign travel advice and to read this and more on this website click here.
Foreign travel advice – TURKEY
Entry requirements
Visas
British nationals need a visa to enter Turkey, except for cruise ship passengers with ‘British Citizen’ passports entering t
he country for a day trip, remaining in the port of embarkation and returning to the ship the same day.
You can get an e-Visa online before you travel through the official e-Visa website. An e-visa costs $20 and you can pay using a credit or debit card. You can apply up to 3 months in advance of your travel date.
Some unauthorised websites may charge for information about e-Visas, and for submitting applications. These websites are not endorsed by or associated with the Turkish government. Be wary of such sites and businesses, particularly those that seek additional fees for other services.
In case of problems with the computer systems at the Turkish port of entry, print off and carry a paper copy of your e-Visa, or make sure you have an electronic copy on a smart phone or other device to show to the immigration officer.
Until further notice British citizens can get a multiple entry visitor visa, valid for 90 days, on arrival at any port of entry on payment of £20 in cash (Scottish and Northern Irish currency is not accepted). However, the visa on arrival service is likely to be phased out at some point in the near future (11th April 2014). To avoid possible problems or delays at the Turkish border, or when boarding your flight in the UK, get an e-Visa before you travel.
At Istanbul Ataturk airport (and possibly at other airports) there will be self service e-Visa kiosks and wi-fi areas where visitors can apply for an e-Visa on arrival using their own smart devices.
You can also apply for a visa before you travel from the Turkish Consulate General in London.
If you don’t have a ‘British Citizen’ passport, but hold a different type of British nationality (eg BN(O), British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person or British Subject), check visa requirements with the Turkish Consulate General before you travel.
Make sure your passport has a blank page for the visa stamp. If it does not, the Turkish authorities will issue an ‘Entry-Exit form’ and put your entry-exit stamp on there. You should carry this form with you in Turkey and present it to the border officers when you leave.
Turkish visit visas issued on arrival are valid for multiple stays up to a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period. 
Up to 31 January 2012, the Turkish immigration authorities operated a flexible interpretation of this requirement whereby visitors could leave after 90 days, and immediately re-enter for a further 90 day period. The rules are now fully enforced, and you will only be able to stay in Turkey for a total of 90 days in any period of 180 days.
If you plan to remain in Turkey for a period of more than 90 days, you should either apply for a longer stay visa before you travel, or get a residence permit from the local authorities in Turkey before your 90 day stay has elapsed. If you exceed the 90 day limit, you may be fined, deported and banned from re-entering the country.
If you are entering Turkey via the Bulgarian border crossing, make sure your passport has a dated entry stamp before you leave the border crossing area. Some British nationals have got a visa but not had their passport stamped. In some cases, this has resulted in detention and 
deportation for illegal entry.
Working illegally without the correct visa and work permit could result in deportation from Turkey, a fine and a ban on re-entering. You may be held in a detention centre awaiting deportation and are unlikely to be able to collect your belongings before departure.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Turkey and have at least 3 months validity from the date you are leaving Turkey.
Travelling with children
If you are leaving Turkey with a child who is a dual British-Turkish national, you may be asked to show the Turkish immigration authorities evidence that the Turkish parent has given permission for the child to travel.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Turkey within the dates printed on the document.
To read the visa requirements as seen on the Turkish Foreign Affairs website please click here
There are 2 points that, I want to mention regarding the e-Visa, 1) Visa on arrival is valid until 31.12. 2014 2) I don’t think that the system has been setup properly and I have sent an email to the Turkish ministry to try and find a way to upgrade the system, as it stands at present only single application can be made and if a family of 4-5 or 6 are planning to travel to Turkey it means having to do the process that many times over, which in my opinion is stupid and can be easily sorted out by allowing other members of the family to put in their details at the same time and pay all in one go rather then repeat the process. For example by paying with credit card and the child is under age will cause a problem.
Thank you for your comment Erkin, when you can clarify your comment, do please let us have more details.
oh and one point of advise to British visitors planning to visit turkey, Don’t ever make your application via the Consulate, as the fees are much much more then you would pay on e-visa or on arrival, currently from the UK the visa fee is £76 for 90 days. compared to £10 on arrival or $20.
UK cost of living maybe?