The first letter was from Janet: “Please can you assist me in finding out if there are to be any changes in the 90-day tourist visa for people from the UK. There is a lot of talk on the website that this is going to happen next year. Best regards, Janet.”The following letter was not quoted last week: “Dear Mr. Çektir, could you please clarify the [new] rules that I have heard from fellow British residents and holidaymakers regarding the visiting visa in Turkey? It seems that yet again we have another self-tax being imposed on British people either living in or visiting Turkey. Visiting people who want to stay for a length of time in Turkey, as we understand it, will have to buy a residence visa at greater expense, 372 pounds before admin charges, and several trips to and from the relevant government buildings. Talking to people who own property here who visit three times a year are now thinking of selling out and moving on due to the extra expense of their holidays. Myself, as a resident here, we pay the better part of 1,000 pounds per year for two people. Reading the newspapers locally we are made to believe that Turkey is supposed to be moving toward a visa-free country but with this new visa ruling it seems that there is a move backward rather than forward. Yours -- A very concerned expat.”
After receiving these e-mails we have done some research through the legislation database but have neither found a new regulation changing the current one nor any relevant regulation that may have affected current visa regulations.
Following our research we contacted local authorities at the İstanbul Foreigners Department and officials at the Atatürk and Esenboğa airports.
We were informed that that there was a new circular prohibiting foreigners from returning to Turkey for 90 more days with a tourist visa just after leaving the country. We received completely different information from different authorities:
İstanbul airport: Nationals of 63 countries (including Britain) are not able to stay more than 90 days within a period of 180 days. Note: This is not the correct information.
Esenboğa Airport (Ankara): There is no problem entering Turkey and there has been no change to current regulations.
Ankara Police Department: “Yes, there was such a regulation but it was lifted without entering into force.”
İstanbul Police Department: “We have not received any notice about the change in visa regulations.”
The notice in the bulletin of the British Embassy briefly says: “A visitor’s visa valid for 90 days is issued to British Citizens at the port of entry on payment of 10 pounds (English notes only). Turkish immigration procedures for British visitors had changed from July 14. The change meant that British visitors were being issued with visas which were valid for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180 day period. Visitors with this type of visa had to wait until the 181st day before applying for a new visa. On July 22 the Turkish interior minister said that no change in rules would be taking place and all ports of entry have been informed and visa procedures will revert to those in place before July 14 .” You can check the website of the British Consulate for further information and updates
The reason for the chaos was that not even the officers were informed about the change properly.
Finally, we found out that this new circular prohibiting re-entry after 90 days was in force only for one week. It was removed on July 23 with a new circular. Therefore, British nationals and nationals of the other 62 countries will once again be able to enter Turkey on 90-day visas without waiting until the 181st day to get a new visa.
NOTE: Berk Çektir is a licensed attorney at law and available to answer questions on the legal aspects of living in Turkey. Send enquiries to b.cektir@todayszaman.com The names of the readers are disclosed only upon written approval of the sender.DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this column.
