Turkish Airlines Announces Participation in New e-Visa Program

Turkish Airlines (www.turkishairlines.com, www.thy.com) has announced its participation in the new e-Visa program - an exciting initiative intended to make the visa application process faster and easier for those traveling to Turkey. Officially launched in April of 2013, this new system will allow foreign nationals to obtain Turkish visas online rather than at the Turkish consulates and embassies, or at the border gates upon arrival.

Accessing and using the online system is easy and quick: all travelers need to apply for an e-Visa is a passport that has been valid for at least six months, documentation of their flight reservation and a credit card (currently only Visa and MasterCard are accepted). An electronic copy of one's e-Visa will be available online as soon as the application is submitted and the credit card has been charged. A hard copy will also be mailed to the travelers directly, which they can print out and show to airport and customs officials upon their arrival in Turkey.

"We are very excited about the launch of the new e-Visa program, which is the result of a unique collaboration between Turkish Airlines, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkish Ministry of ?nterior Affairs," says Turkish Airlines' Chairman of the Board Hamdi Topçu. "This new initiative will not only make it easier for foreign nationals to apply for and obtain a Turkish visa, but is also expected to increase the number of visitors to Turkey, thus attracting additional tourism and foreign trade revenue."

The e-Visa takes the place of the traditional stamp or sticker usually issued at the border crossing. Travelers are required to carry their e-Visa with them at all times as it is an official endorsement from the Turkish government that the bearer is allowed to enter and be in the country. E-Visas can only be used for tourism or trade purposes. Those looking to travel to Turkey for work or study are still required to file an application through the country's embassies or consulates.

For more information or to start your application, visit www.evisa.gov.tr.