South African citizens need an e-Visa for Türkiye

As of 2026-09-22

Processing: Minutes online
Fee: No fee on the ministry's e-Visa table
Max Stay: 30 days
Apply At: Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa Information for Foreigners →

Last updated: 2026-09-22 • Information may change—always verify with official sources.

Türkiye Visa Overview for South African Citizens

South African citizens can apply for an e-Visa to visit Türkiye. Ordinary South African passports need a visa: one-month single-entry e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr (no fee on the ministry's 2014 table) or a three-month multiple-entry visa from Turkish missions (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The e-Visa can be obtained online before travel for a fee of No fee on the ministry's e-Visa table, with processing typically taking Minutes online.

The online application process requires a valid passport scan, a passport-size digital photo, and the applicable supporting documents. South African applicants apply through the e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.tr, with no supporting visa needed. Once approved, the e-Visa is sent by email and should be printed for presentation at the border.

The e-Visa allows a stay of 30 days in Türkiye.

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Available Visa Types for South African Citizens

Visa-Free Entry

90 days in any 180 for the UK, US, Canada, Australia, EU, Japan, Korea, Gulf, Latin America and China; 60 days for Russia; 30 for Thailand and Indonesia

None: stamped at the borderFree

e-Visa

Single-entry online visa: unconditional for Vietnam, South Africa, Mexico and Taiwan; for Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Philippine, Nepalese, Sri Lankan, Iraqi and Egyptian passports only with a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa

Minutes onlineBy nationality; USD 15-80 on the ministry table

Sticker Visa

For Nigerian, Kenyan, Ghanaian, Ethiopian, Ugandan, Tanzanian and Myanmar passports, and for South Asians without a qualifying visa: pre-application at visa.gov.tr, lodged at Sefa Visa, Mosaic Visa, Anatolia or AgentTR

Set per missionPKR 52,200-98,600 in Pakistan; set per mission elsewhere

Airport Transit Visa (e-ATV)

Free electronic airport transit visa for Indian and Nepalese passports connecting through Istanbul to Mexico, Panama, Colombia or Venezuela since 15 April 2024; airside transit otherwise needs nothing

Online before departureFree

How to Apply

Visit the official Türkiye e-Visa portal

Create an account and complete the online application with your passport and travel details

Upload required documents: passport scan, passport-size photo, and supporting documents

Pay the e-Visa fee of No fee on the ministry's e-Visa table online

Wait for processing (typically Minutes online)

Download and print the approved e-Visa

Present the printed e-Visa along with your passport at the Türkiye border

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Rules for every traveller

Border documents, stay conditions and the mistakes that get travellers refused are the same whatever your passport. Read them in the Türkiye visa guide.

Important Notes for South African Applicants

South African citizens apply through the e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.tr, with no supporting visa needed
South Africans can instead get a three-month multiple-entry visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate, an alternative to the one-month single-entry e-Visa.
Apply for the e-Visa before departure — it cannot be obtained at the border
E-Visa processing typically takes Minutes online — apply with buffer time before your flight
Keep certified copies of all documents — South African originals may need apostille certification

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Türkiye?

South African citizens can apply for an e-Visa online before traveling to Türkiye. The fee is No fee on the ministry's e-Visa table. Apply through the official portal before departure.

How long can South African citizens stay in Türkiye?

With an approved visa, South African citizens may stay in Türkiye for 30 days. The exact duration is determined by the visa type and conditions.

Where do South African citizens apply for a Türkiye visa?

South African citizens typically apply through the e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.tr, with no supporting visa needed. Book appointments early, especially during peak travel seasons.