Important Information Related to Turkey Student Visa
It’s likely that you will require a student visa if you are an international student seeking to attend school in Turkey. Only the following students are free from needing a student visa for Turkey:
Northern Republic of Cyprus-based students
students whose parents have a work visa and a resident card for Turkey
holders of Blue Cards
You must apply in person for your student visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in your nation of residence. Before entering Turkey, you must have your student visa.
Once you have arrived in Turkey, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit that allows you to stay in the country beyond 90 days.
- Have your application for a visa approved by a Turkish university before you can begin your programme of study there.
- Make an appointment at the consulate in your area: You must submit your application in person at the Turkish embassy or consulate that is most convenient for you. Online appointment booking ought to be possible.
- Fill out your application and bring the necessary paperwork: When you go to your visa appointment, you must fill out and sign a visa application and provide the necessary paperwork (listed below).
- Await a decision: You can sometimes track the process of your application on the Turkish consulate website.
- Apply for a residence permit: When you arrive in Turkey, you will need to apply for a residence permit within one month.
Being present during your visa appointment
You will attend a brief interview with a consular officer on the day of your appointment at the Turkish consulate or embassy. They will quiz you briefly regarding your travel plans and time in Turkey.
You must do well in this interview because it will determine whether or not you will be granted a visa. When you go to the appointments, you should also double check that you have all of your paperwork with you since if you are missing even one, your application may be turned down.
Turkish student visa requirements
When you submit your Turkey student visa application you must provide the following documents:
- Your passport, valid for at least 90 days
- A completed and signed Turkish student visa application form
- 2 passport-size photos
- Letter of acceptance from your university, including the duration of your stay
- Proof of travel insurance for your entire stay in Turkey
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of booked flight tickets to Turkey
- Evidence of sufficient financial resources to support your study and living in Turkey
- Visa processing fee, this can vary depending on your nationality
- Proof of accommodation in Turkey
- Previous education certificates or diplomas
Turkey’s criteria for student residence permits
You must submit an application for a residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration if you wish to stay in Turkey for a period longer than the 90 days permitted by your student visa.
You’ll need to supply the following documents:
- Application form
- Passport, including photocopies and your student visa
- Proof of your university place
- Four passport size photographs
Your residence permit will be valid for one year, but you can renew your permit 60 days before it expires by visiting the local authorities and completing a renewal application form.
Processing time for student visas in Turkey
Depending on the embassy or consulate you’ve used, processing a visa application can take anywhere from 3 to 15 days.
Although a Turkish student visa might be processed quickly, it is still important to apply as soon as feasible. If you wait until the last minute to apply, unanticipated delays or missing paperwork may prevent you from receiving your visa in time.
How to proceed if your visa is denied
You should reapply for a visa after correcting any mistakes if your application is denied owing to an incomplete application. After obtaining a rejection, you have 24 hours to reapply. If all the information is accurate, you could get your visa three days after applying.
Contact the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your nation if you believe your application was wrongfully denied. It is advisable to apply for a visa beforehand before making travel arrangements because it could take weeks or even months to schedule an appointment with them.
Bring whatever paperwork you require to back up why the embassy or consulate should accept your application when you go there. If you are unable to visit the embassy in person, write to them explaining why you believe your denial was unreasonable and providing any relevant supporting documentation.