Turkey was on my bucket list of destinations. I was finally able to go (during the pandemic!). I applied for a sticker visa at the embassy. The process was straightforward and easy to follow.
Getting a Sticker Visa
Getting a visa always makes one feel excited and nervous. Filipinos have to get a visa for many countries, including Turkey. I felt a bit nervous when I applied because what if my visa application is denied? This is a question you might be asking yourself, even if you have all the requirements. However, despite this the process of applying for a tourist visa for Turkey is straightforward and simple.
- Go to https://www.konsolosluk.gov.tr/Visa/Index, choose Philippines as country and Turkish Embassy as your choices.
- You will then go to a page that asks you to fill out details. Fill these out with your details by choosing an answer when the list appears. You have the option for either a single or multiple entry tourist visa.
- Continue the application online (the process and requirements for an e-visa are different)
- The following page displays another set of details you need to fill out.
- You can save your responses to the next pages and go over them before you submit your application.
- You will then have to upload the requirements into the system.
- Choose a schedule for your interview.
- Once you have chosen a schedule, arrive early on the day of your appointment.
- On the day of your interview, the consul will ask you questions about your trip and application, just answer truthfully. It wasn't really much of an interview, it was more of a casual conversation. He then asked for my passport, I paid and he gave me a piece of paper with the pick up date.
Here's the address of the embassy:
2268 Paraiso Street, Dasmarinas Village 1222 Makati City / Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES
*It's near the MRT Ayala Station (relatively speaking), so you can take a taxi from there if you're taking public transportation. The embassy is inside a gated subdivision that's home to other embassies.
*The embassy only accepts US Dollar payments, so bring cash with you. Bring the exact amount because they might not have enough change. I paid US$60 for a single entry visa.
*You have the option to have your passport picked up by Grab, if you don't want to or don't have the time to return to the embassy.
Requirements for a Tourist Visa for Turkey
Here's a list of requirements for your tourist visa for Turkey.
- Birth certificate (original)
- Supporting document on the applicant's rootedness (Land registry, business certificate, salary table, bank account statement)
- Biometric Photo
- Financial documents of applicant or inviting person
- Passport
- Accommodation reservation or invitation
- Reserved flight tickets
Tourist E-Visa for Turkey
You are only eligible to apply for an e-visa if you have a RESIDENCE PERMIT OR VALID VISA from the following countries:
If you don't have a visa for any of the mentioned countries, you have to apply for a sticker visa (information above).
If you meet the requirements for an e-visa, go to this website: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/.
The site is straightforward just fill out the details asked from you and proceed to payment. The visa fee for Filipinos is US$20.
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
- There is no fixed amount you need to have in your bank account. For Turkey the general rule of thumb is US$50 a day.
- Always make a strong case when it comes to rootedness. This is often a determining factor in getting a visa or not. If you're self-employed show enough documents. If you're employed, include certificate of employment, pay slips, bank certificates and others. You can also include other documents such as properties (in your name) and others to show your rootedness.
- Bring the exact amount (in USD) to pay for the visa fee, if you're getting a sticker visa.
- If you can't return to the embassy to get your passport, you can have it picked up as long as you coordinate with the embassy personnel.
- Getting a sticker tourist visa for Turkey was easy. As long as you pass all the requirements, you're likely to get a visa. It's more difficult to get a Schengen visa, US, UK, or Canada.
