Message to U.S. Citizens #2: New Turkish Visa Regulation

January 20, 2012

New Turkish Visa Regulation

Effective February 1, 2012, the Turkish authorities will implement new regulations allowing a maximum stay of 90 days within a 180 day period. The new regulation will not make any changes to the visa requirements for travel to Turkey but it will affect how long U.S. Citizens can remain in Turkey.  The new regulation affects all foreigners who travel to Turkey. This new regulation will apply all, whether they travel with a tourist visa obtained at a Turkish Consulate or buy a tourist visa stamp at an airport or other port of entry or are exempt from getting tourist visas.

If you are planning to stay in Turkey more than 90 days within a 180 day period, you must get a Turkish residence permit. In order to obtain a residence permit, please contact the Foreigners Police in your area.  The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S Citizens to not overstay their visas and to maintain valid residency permits at all times.  Turkish authorities do enforce the laws, including those stipulating fines, deportation, and bans on future travel to Turkey for people who overstay their visas or do not maintain valid residency permits.

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:

 
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90)(312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131.  The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov.
 

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Uçsehitler Sokagi No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102.  Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's web site at http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/.
 

The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916, web site: http://adana.usconsulate.gov.

The Consular Agency in Izmir can be reached at tel:(90) (232) 464-8755, fax (90) (232) 464-8916.