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South African citizens need an e-Visa for Türkiye

As of 2026-09-08

Processing

Minutes online

Fee

No fee on the ministry's e-Visa table

Max Stay

30 days

Last updated: 2026-09-08 • 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. Apply through the official Türkiye e-Visa portal. 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.

Entry Requirements

Documents and conditions you will need when entering Türkiye

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay in Türkiye, with at least 1 blank page
  • Return or onward travel tickets
  • Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay
  • Evidence of sufficient funds
  • Printed or digital copy of approved e-Visa

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

1

Visit the official Türkiye e-Visa portal

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

Wait for processing (typically Minutes online)

6

Download and print the approved e-Visa

7

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

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Stay Rules & Conditions

  • Overstaying your permitted stay may result in fines, detention, deportation, and difficulty obtaining future visas to this and other countries

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Arriving with a passport that expires too soon — most countries require at least 6 months of remaining validity
  • Assuming the e-Visa will be instant — processing can take several business days, so apply well before your departure
  • Not printing the e-Visa approval — some border controls require a physical copy

Important Notes for South African Applicants

  • 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
  • South African citizens enjoy visa-free access to Singapore (30 days) and Thailand (30 days from 15 September 2026; 60 days for entries before then)
  • Apply well in advance as processing times from South Africa can vary significantly
  • Keep certified copies of all documents — South African originals may need apostille certification

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.

What documents do South African citizens need for a Türkiye visa?

Key documents typically include: a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay), passport-size photos, bank statements showing sufficient funds, proof of accommodation, a travel itinerary, and an employment or business letter. Check the official application form for the complete list.

Can South African citizens work in Türkiye on a tourist visa?

No. A tourist visa does not permit paid employment in Türkiye, including freelancing or working for local employers. Remote work for overseas employers is a legal gray area that varies by country — do not assume it is permitted. Working without proper authorization can result in deportation and future visa bans. A separate work permit or visa is required for any employment.

Other destinations for South African citizens

United Kingdom

Visa required

United States

Visa required

Canada

Visa required

Australia

Visa required

Schengen Area

Visa required

United Arab Emirates

Visa required

Japan

Visa required

Singapore

Visa-free

Thailand

Visa-free

India

Visa-free

China

Visa required

South Korea

Visa-free

Malaysia

Visa-free

View all destinations for South African citizens

Prepare Your Application

Draft cover letters, plan your trip, and prepare invitation letters

Document StudioTrip PlannerVisa Cover LetterSponsor/Invitation Letter
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Helpful Guides

First-Time Visa Applicant: Top Tips to Get Approved
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Visa Cover Letter: How to Write One (With Examples)
7 min read
Bank Statements for Visa Applications: What You Need
8 min read

Official Resources

Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa Information for Foreigners
The official per-country statement of who is exempt, who may use the e-Visa and on what conditions, and who needs a sticker visa.
Republic of Türkiye e-Visa Application System (evisa.gov.tr)
The only official e-Visa site, run for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the fee for your nationality is shown after you select it.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Country fees for e-Visa (10 November 2014)
The ministry's published e-Visa fee table: USD 15 to 80 by nationality for the 38 countries listed, with the corresponding airport visa fees.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa pre-application (visa.gov.tr)
The consular pre-application system for sticker visas, completed before the appointment at the authorised visa application centre.
Turkish Embassy in Abuja — Announcement for Nigerian nationals (3 January 2026)
Sefa Visa as the sole authorised application company from 5 January 2026, at Churchgate Tower, Abuja.
Turkish Embassy in Islamabad — Visa application fee structure (20 February 2026)
Sticker visa fees in rupees for Pakistani and non-EU passports: PKR 52,200 single entry (three months) to PKR 98,600 multiple entry (twelve months), cash only.
Embassy of Türkiye in Dhaka — Visa applications (2 February 2026)
Mosaic Visa in Banani as the only authorised centre in Bangladesh from 1 February 2026.
Turkish Embassy in Manila — All visa applications processed by AgentTR (27 May 2022)
The Türkiye Visa Application Center in the Philippines since 30 May 2022.
GOV.UK — Türkiye entry requirements
Ninety days in any 180 for British citizens, passport valid 150 days beyond arrival with one blank page, and the land-border stamp rule.

Full Türkiye Visa Guide

View all Türkiye visas

South African Travel Guide

All destinations for South African citizens
Last verified:September 2026