After waiting three hours at the border crossing in Turkey, I found out that my Schengen visa had not been processed. Luckily there was still time to re-apply for the Schengen visa from within Turkey, although it would cost me a lot of money and take a significant amount of time.
WHAT IS THE SCHENGEN VISA?
The Schengen visa is a type of travel visa that allows nationals of certain countries to transit through any of the 26 Schengen member states without having to receive a new visa. In order to qualify for a Schengen visa, you must be travelling in connection with a valid passport and have an onward or return ticket. You will also need to provide a valid passport photo, copies of your travel documents, and proof of your financial resources. Transit Visa for Turkey If you are travelling as part of a group, each member of your group must have their own visa. If you are travelling as part of a family or as part of a crew on an organised tour, you do not need to apply for a separate visa. However, if you are travelling independently, you must apply for your own visa. You can apply for your Schengen visa at any border control point when entering or leaving the Schengen area. The application process is straightforward and most borders have facilities to issue visas in just a few minutes. When applying for your visa, make sure that you provide all the necessary information so that officials can check that you meet the requirements for a valid visa.
HOW TO GET A TRANSIT VISA FOR TURKEY?
If you’re planning to visit Turkey for less than 90 days and only need a transit visa, your best bet is to apply through an authorized travel agent or online. To get a transit visa, you’ll first need to submit a completed application form and all required documents (such as a passport photo, visa fee, and proof of onward travel). You can find more information on the Turkish government’s website. Once you’ve submitted your application, the Turkish embassy or consulate will send you an approval letter. Make sure to collect this letter in case there are any last-minute issues with your visa. Once you have your transit visa, make sure to bring along your passport and a copy of your application letter. You’ll also need to show the document proving that you have enough money for the trip (such as a bank statement or travelers checks). Enter Turkey with Schenegen Visa Finally, be sure to leave plenty of time before your planned departure date so that you can process your visa and check in with the airport security checkpoint.
TRAVELING TO TURKEY WITH A SCHENGEN VISA
If you are traveling to Turkey with a Schengen visa, transit through the airport is not necessary. You will need to show your passport and boarding pass when you arrive in Turkey, but after that, you are free to travel around the country as you please. Make sure that you have all of your important documents handy, including your passport photo page, as these will be needed at various points during your trip. If you are flying into Istanbul or Ankara airport, be sure to schedule a taxi ride to your hotel before leaving the airport as the public transportation system in these cities is very limited and can be quite expensive.
CONCLUSION
If you are planning on traveling to Turkey and need a transit visa, be sure to read our article on how to get one. Additionally, if you want to visit Turkey but don’t have a Schenegen visa yet, be sure to check out our guide on how to get a Turkish visa. No matter what your travel plans may be, make sure you are aware of the various steps required in order for them to come together smoothly. Thanks for reading!