Foreign Ministry applies visa requirements for citizens of 10 countries traveling to South America via Türkiye

Citizens of 10 countries traveling in transit through Istanbul Airport to Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela are required to obtain an electronic airport transit visa

Türkiye, which is both a transit and destination country in global irregular migration movements, stands out as one of the most active members of the international community in the fight against irregular migration.

Recently, due to the increase in the number of irregular migrants heading from various countries in the Middle and Latin America regions to North America using transit air routes via Türkiye, inspections have been tightened within the framework of international aviation rules.

Turkish Airlines (THY) issued a warning in March for passengers traveling to South American countries, stating that “additional checks may be applied beyond the general rules such as passport and visa requirements for passenger acceptance on flights.”

Preparations completed for electronic airport transit visas

According to diplomatic sources, in this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has completed the necessary preparations for the implementation of the electronic airport transit visa (e-HTV) application.

Airport transit visas are considered within the scope of Chapter 24 on Justice, Freedom, and Security in the European Union (EU) accession negotiations, and they constitute one of the criteria within the framework of the Visa Liberalization Dialogue with the EU.

Therefore, starting from April 15, citizens of India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, Somalia, Cameroon, Mauritania, and Yemen traveling to Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela via Istanbul Airport will be required to obtain an electronic airport transit visa.

Available online for free

The electronic transit visa can be obtained online for free through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “evisa.gov.tr” portal as of April 15, 2024.

Passengers are required to enter their personal information, address details of their stay, and ticket numbers correctly while applying for the electronic visa.

Passengers subject to the electronic transit visa are also expected to carry their visa printouts with them during their transit at Istanbul Airport.

After having their visas checked at one of the visa points located on both sides of the international transit passenger arrival lounge at Istanbul Airport, passengers subject to the electronic transit visa can proceed through security control to the departure level.

Source: Newsroom