Turkey: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Turkey. You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Visa required; South African ordinary passport holders can get a one-month single-entry e-Visa at www.evisa.gov.tr, or a three-month multiple-entry visa from a Turkish mission. (Official/service passports: visa-free up to 30 days.)1

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

e-Visa is for tourism or commerce (business visits) only. Work, study and other purposes need a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

Valid at least 60 days beyond the end of the intended stay (e.g. 30-day stay: about 90 days; 90-day stay: 150 days).1

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

Online only at the official portal https://www.evisa.gov.tr (Republic of Türkiye MFA). Pay by Visa/Mastercard; download link sent by email; carry a digital or printed copy. Fee: reported as no visa fee for South Africans but a compulsory travel-insurance charge of about USD 12 collected during the application (tier 4 source; the portal's 'Fees and conditions for South Africa' page could not be fetched). e-Visa validity reported as 180 days from the stated arrival date.2 3

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Where South Africans apply

e-Visa online. For the 3-month multiple-entry or non-tourism visas: Embassy of Türkiye in Pretoria (visa applications accepted 09:30-11:00, Monday-Friday).1 4

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Reported compulsory travel insurance (about USD 12) bundled into the e-Visa application for South Africans; e-visa not issued unless paid. Not confirmed on a tier 1 page.3

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

No yellow fever requirement found; Turkey is not a yellow fever risk country, so no SA re-entry certificate needed.5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Arrival forms

None for visitors found. Currency: max equivalent of USD 5,000 in Turkish lira may be taken out; declare other currency over USD 5,000 (FCDO).5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Stays beyond 90 days require a residence permit / police registration within one month (MFA). Overstay leads to fines, deportation and entry bans (secondary sources); exact fines not published on pages checked.1 3

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Each traveller, including children, needs their own e-Visa. Dual Turkish-national children may need the Turkish parent's permission to leave (FCDO). SA's own minor exit rules apply.5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

1Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs mfa.gov.tr
2Republic of Türkiye MFA e-Visa portal evisa.gov.tr
4Embassy of Türkiye in Pretoria pretoria.be.mfa.gov.tr

Other government

Official advice from other governments

5UK FCDO gov.uk

News and guides

Leads we check, never the answer

3Travelstart travelstart.co.za

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.