Visa on arrival for Turkey

(May 09, 2011, By Pawlos Belete)--The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey announced a new visa application system for citizens of three countries aspiring to travel to Turkey either for tourist or business reasons, starting from April 20, 2011. 

These countries are the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Djibouti and the Republic of Somalia. Any citizen from these countries can get a visa on arrival at the border gate of Istanbul Atatürk Airport assuming they meet the preconditions. 

The travelers are required to present a valid national passport with a validity date of at least six months, Turkish Airlines round-trip ticket, hotel reservation, and financial means equivalent to at least 50 dollars for each day to stay in Turkey.

Moreover citizens of these countries should have a valid visa issued by the authorities of the United States of America, United Kingdom or Schengen (European Union) countries and the passenger should have travelled at least once to one of these countries. The embassy of the republic also requires passengers that they should not have been deported from or banned to enter into Turkey, USA, United Kingdom or Schengen (European Union) countries.

Visa applications which do not meet the above requirements should submit their application to the Consular Section of the embassy. According to the information obtained from the embassy, fulfilling the requirements listed above does not guarantee entry into Turkey.

‘Turkish customs authorities are fully entitled to the last evaluation and decision,’ the statement further added. Ethiopians can only travel to Kenya and Seychelles without a visa and can obtain one at the airport upon arrival.

Source:  Capital