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[dept_geek]

I am considering (*) attending a conference (short - a week or so) in Turkey next summer.  In digging around, I see I need a visa that is purchased at the border for 20 USD or so.  It looks like I simply fill out the form that exists on the Turkish Foreign Ministry site and present it with a photo and the fees.

Is that it? I hear stories about months wait for visas to some countries and needing to travel to consulates to get them.  Anyone traveled to Turkey from the US in recent times - is this true? Is the process that straightforward?

Thanks much.



(*) OK. I really just started thinking about it.  I'm not sure if I can swing it $$-wise. But a geek can dream, right?

[notaprof]

Yes it is true and this straight forward.  You pay the fee at the airport - in US$ or British pounds and it was $40 when I went.  My mistake was I thought they would take travelers checks so I felt like an idiot opening my luggage in the middle of the Istanbul airport to get to where I had tucked away some pounds.   I am going again this fall and if there is a change, I'll let you know.  You definitely should go.

I'll PM you with some hotel recommendations when I get back as well if the one I have chosen (cheap) is as nice as I've been told.

[sacroiliac]

Yes. You simply pay for it at the point of entry.  And there is no need to supply a photo.  They will examine your passport and stamp the visa in it.

[dept_geek]

Thanks!!  yes, notaprof, please let me know if the process is still the same.

[aandsdean]

Thanks!!  yes, notaprof, please let me know if the process is still the same.

I was there this summer.  Just walk up to the kiosk (it's before you get into line to go through passport control [I guess that's obvious]) right by the start of the line.

Walk up, hand them a $20, they'll look at you through the glass and stick the sticker in your passport and stamp it.  It's totally easy.

There was a brief time when it was around $100, when the USA raised our visa price on Turkey.  They're symmetrical.