Do Cruise Ship Passengers Need A Visa For Turkey?

Tourists arriving in Turkey by cruise ship do not need a Turkey eVisa if their visit is limited to the city where their ship docks and does not exceed three days (72 hours). However, visitors who want to remain longer or go outside of the port city may need to apply for a visa or an eVisa based on their nationality.

For foreign visitors to Turkey, they should either fill out the application for an e-visa or an electronic travel authorization. Many nations residents must visit an embassy or consulate to get a visa to enter Turkey. For cruise ship passengers, they can enter Türkiye without a visa for a maximum period of 72 hours. Some countries handle visas on arrival in port, but in all other cases, the cruise line might only advise that you might.

Cruise passengers can apply for a Turkey visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country or online via the E-visa system. The visa exemption applies only if you remain in the general vicinity of the port of call. However, based on your nationality, you may require an entry visa to board your cruise or enter certain countries your cruise visits. It is the guests’ responsibility to identify and obtain the necessary visas.

Cruise passengers traveling to Turkey by air to join a cruise must obtain an eVisa prior to travel. Tourists arriving on a cruise ship will not require a Turkish eVisa if they wish to stay longer than three days or if they plan to leave the country by air for their cruise tour.

In summary, tourists arriving in Turkey by cruise ship do not need a Turkey eVisa if their visit is limited to the city where their ship docks and does not exceed three days (72 hours). However, if you arrive in Turkey to leave on a cruise, you must obtain a visa.