What are the benefits, if any, for applying for visas before arriving at Turkey? The only Turkish consulate in California is in Los Angele, and I live close to San Francisco. I'm just wondering if I should risk dealing with the post services on possibly lossing my passport and money order. Any suggestion is appreciated. Thanks!

Not sure exactly your precise concern?

If it's with the US postal service, simply select a method requiring a signature upon receipt, with a "tracking" method.

In all my life (over 50 years), I've never once experienced anything being "lost in the mail" personally (though at work another story, but it was never "the mail", rather it was lost after having been delivered).

Or, use Airborne or Federal Express. The extra for sending is well worth the peace of mind.

The benefit of having your visa before you arrive is that you don't need to be carrying the $100 in cash to pay for your visa at the airport, and you will save a little bit of time by bypassing the visa window at the airport and going right to immigration. Otherwise, there is no benefit. If you don't mind carrying the cash (they only take US Dollars or Turkish lira, no credit cards) then wait until you land to get the visa.

I would also not be concerned about sending your passport through the mail, you can send it registered and insured. You can also send it via Fed EX or another courier services, or use the US Postal service's express mail. YOur money order as I understand it, would be recoverable if the receiptient named on the order does not receive it.

The only other concern you might have is by what means will the Consulate use to RETURN your passport and the visa??? Are you able to designate the method they will use? If not, and you are worried about security then I suggest you take the $100 in cash with you and buy the visa upon arrival. $100 isn't exactly small change but it is doubtful it would be stolen on the way I would hope and this way you would be in constant control of your passport.

Hi brightsky,

If you go to the URL below you can find some informations about ONLINE TOURIST VISA you also TRACK your online visa through this web page. I am sure that if you use US POSTAL SERVICE you DON'T have any problem.

(copy and paste this into your browser)

http://www.trconsulate.org/visa/default.htm


Enjoy Turkey

Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]

Unless they've changed the procedure since I paid only $20 for VISA, you disembark plane, stand on line for VISA, give them your $100, they put stamp in passport, go thru Immigration, then out to get your bags.

There were no forms to be completed - just give them the money, they give stamp. Even though there were close to 100 people waiting for their VISA, the lined moved so quickly, that by time we arrived at baggage claim, bags were just coming out. It's a quick process.

And what's the big deal with $100. Certainly I wouldn't have a $100 bill, rather $20s; I'm sure you'll have dollars with you. You get the best exchange for dollars (not travelers checks which incurred fees). We never did use ATMs in Turkey as there were exchange booths wherever we went. And with the Turkish Lira fluctuating so much daily, the difference between an ATM and dollars only amounts to "pennies". $1USD gives you over 1.5Mll Turkish Lira, so what are we loosing here???

It is not necessary to apply by mail. Hold onto your Passport and do it on arrival.

Also carry dollars in small denominations (largest being $20), they should be relatively new (don't have to be fresh from the mint) but not torn and be sure the bills all have the new (larger) faces on them - except the $1 which hasn't been changed yet. Keep currency in different places and wear a money belt inside your clothing. Whatever you don't need for the day, put into hotel safe, not room safe (which really is for convenience and not insured, but hotel safe at front desk.

Thank you so much, everybody! Sounds like I could just wait and get the visa at the airport. I like to hold on to my passport if I can. Thanks again for all the suggestions!

We were just there in May and yes, wait to buy your visa at the airport. It takes only a few minutes. Also, I would disagree with earlier post and I would use ATMS (the first one we used was right where you wait in line to buy your visa, although you must pay for your visa in US $ or maybe euros, NOT Turkish lira.

We went to Turkey last month. We were on Lufthansa and arrived about 10:45 PM. We live in LA and did get the visa first. That saved us 30 to 60 minutes at the airport. Right through passport control in 30 seconds, two minutes to changes money, and 3 minutes for luggage. The price is the same and the consulate issued the visas while I waited - 10 minutes. I know visas are a hassle but the consulate was extremely fast and who wants to stand in line for a visa after travelling aas far as it seems you will be. Have a great time. One of my best trips ever!

It was easy to get the visa at the airport in Istanbul. We made the mistake of changing too much money...alot of vendors prefered $us since the lyra was so weak.

I would definitely wait and do it in Istanbul. It takes less than 30 seconds if you have the correct money(I thought that ours was about $45 USD two years ago.)

It *was* 45 dollars until very recently apparently. The US started charging Turkish citizens 100 dollars to come into the US and the Turks returned the favor.

Hi Brightsky,
I am going to turkey soon & decided to get my visa from the turkish consulate in Ottawa(I'm canadian). I sent my passport etc by express post(it arrives the next day)and enclosed a pre-paid return courier or like others said visas can be obtained at the point of entry. I just don't want to be bothered after a long flight. Good luck

I have been to Turkey 10 times in the past 2 1/2 years, and I prefer to get my visa ahead of time (I live in L.A., but mail my in passport certified or registered w/signature required, and enclose pre-paid same; this is secure.) However, the BENEFIT of obtaining a visa ahead is that you can request a ONE-YEAR, MULTIPLE-ENTRY visa for the same $100 (which I don't think is possible at immigration in Istanbul.) It may not make any difference, but if you find that you are going to make a repeat trip to Turkey within one year, it is worth it!

Hi Brightsky-when are you going. I just received my turkish visa-it took 2 days & very glad I did it mainly cause I don't like to leave things when I can do them ahead of time & like I said previously,just don't want to wait one minute longer.

traveltrix-that's a fantastic suggestion! Good to know