PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Turkey

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Turkey.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Before you go

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Official, mfa.gov.tr) https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa
  2. 2. Republic of Türkiye MFA e-Visa portal (Official, evisa.gov.tr) https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
  3. 3. Embassy of Türkiye in Pretoria (Official, pretoria.be.mfa.gov.tr) https://pretoria.be.mfa.gov.tr/Mission/About
  4. 4. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements
  5. 5. Travelstart (News and guides, travelstart.co.za) https://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/apply-turkish-visa-south-african/

From doineedavisa.co.za/turkey. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.