Turkey, also known as Türkiye, is a country with a unique geographic setting as it is divided between Asia and Europe. Throughout its history, it has served as both a barrier and a link between the two continents. Turkey is a popular travel destination because of its historical, cultural, and Mediterranean-style landmarks. Due to the country’s location between Western Asia and Southeast Europe, both the West and the East have an influence on its tourist attractions. The Bosphorus Strait divides Istanbul, the most popular tourist destination in Turkey, into districts that were constructed in both Europe and Asia. Turkey’s natural beauty and landscapes, which are also significant draws for tourists to the transcontinental country, include the majestic Kaçkar Mountains and the tranquil Turkish Riviera coastlines. For travel or business to Turkey, ordinary UAE passport holders must obtain a visa. Thankfully, UAE nationals visiting Turkey for business or pleasure can now apply for a three-month multiple-entry Turkey e-visa, which doubles as a tourist and business visa. Learn more about Turkey visas for UAE residents.
Turkey Visa From The UAE
UAE citizens who wish to travel to Turkey for business or pleasure must first obtain a visa. The good news is that UAE citizens visiting Turkey for business or pleasure can now apply for a three-month multiple-entry Turkey e-visa, which doubles as a tourist and business visa. It’s important to note, though, that UAE nationals travelling to Turkey for up to 90 days do not need to apply for a visa. Foreign nationals can enter Turkey and travel there using the Turkey e-Visa for non-essential activities like tourism, transit, or business. The previous “sticker visa” and “stamp-type” tourist visas that were issued at border crossings have been replaced by this visa type. Tourists who want to study in Turkey should not apply for this type of visa, as it is only valid for travel, transit, and business needs.
Required Documents for Applying a Tourist Visa to Turkey from Dubai, UAE:
Turkey Tourist Visa Made Easy: Your Simple Guide
Passport: Your home country passport needs to be valid for at least six months. Ensure the new passport has a minimum of 3 blank pages. If you have an old passport, submit it as well.
Application Form: Fill out the application form provided by the Embassy of Turkey. It should be in English or Turkish, signed, and dated by you. If you’re below 18, both parents need to sign.
Valid UAE Residency: Provide a copy of your Emirates ID and the stamped residency visa, valid for at least three months beyond your visa expiry or intended journey end.
Photocopies: Submit copies of the passport’s personal data and signature pages, UAE residence permit/visa, and any previous Schengen visas.
Personal Photographs: Include two recent color photographs.
Covering Letter: Write a letter stating your travel intention and details of family members traveling (if applicable).
Financial Proof: Provide stamped and signed personal bank statements for the last three months, showing regular income. For business owners or partners, submit the company’s bank statement and a letter from the bank confirming your signatory status. Retired persons should show proof of pension or regular income.
Medical Insurance: Obtain overseas travel insurance valid for the entire visa period and covering all of Turkey countries. Minimum coverage should be 30,000 €, including repatriation.
No Objection Letter (NOC): If employed, get a letter from your local employer/sponsor, including details about your position, employment start date, salary, and expected date to resume duties. Attach a valid trade license copy for investors/partners. For dependents, include the sponsor’s valid passport copy and UAE residence visa with the cover letter.
Travel Documents: Present confirmed return flight tickets, hotel reservation, and a day-wise travel plan (itinerary).
Reasons to Visit Turkey
Istanbul
Istanbul is an intriguing, historic city with a multicultural populace. There, you can find the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, and Grand Bazaar. The Hagia Sophia was the Byzantine Empire’s most notable architectural achievement overall; it is now a museum. The Galata Tower offers views of the city and the Bosphorus River.
The People
Turkish people are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people on the planet, offering free samples, tea, and conversation without any pressure to buy. You can still get free food and tea from the locals in East Turkey, where few tourists speak English, and occasionally they’ll even invite you to join them for tea or spend the night.
The Beaches
Turkey is a well-liked destination for beach vacations due to its southern coastline, also referred to as the Turquoise Coast. A popular activity is paragliding over Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon, a natural lagoon with pristine water. Kaputas Beach, one of Turkey’s most picturesque beaches, is one of the lovely beaches in Kas, a charming seaside town.
The History
Turkish history is preserved in the ruins of Ephesus, Gobekli Tepe, and Olympos, which date back millennia. The Library of Celsus, one of the most magnificent buildings ever built and possibly the most recognisable structure in the entire city, is located in Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Gokkli Tepe, a complex on the Turquoise Coast that dates back 12,000 years and is 6,000 years older than Stonehenge, is located 12 kilometres outside of Sanliurfa.
The Nature
With its lush hills, lakes, and rivers that border the Black Sea near Rize, Trabzon, and Uzungol, Turkey is renowned for its natural beauty. Mount Nemrut is in the Eastern Taurus mountain range, but Egirdir is the best place to find solitude in the wild.
The food
The world-famous and adored Turkish cuisine includes some of the best foods in the world, including kebabs. Turkish food is delectable and diverse, and it includes dishes like pides, gozleme, manti, and kumpir. The capital of Turkish cuisine is Gaziantep, which UNESCO has recognised as a city of gastronomy. It’s impossible to get tired of Turkish food because it offers something for everyone, from testi kebab to hamsi tava.
The unique landscapes
Turkey is home to many breathtaking landscapes, but some are truly exceptional. Cappadocia is one such area, famous for its unusual rock formations, vibrant canyons, and breathtaking scenery. Pamukkale is another location where this can be seen. Thermal waters from the area’s hot springs deposit calcium to create bright white, almost snow-like travertine terraces that contrast sharply with the surrounding lush vegetation. Being there all day might even be thought to be good for your health due to the water’s purported healing qualities and natural warmth.
The sweets
Turkey is a great destination if you like sweets. Turkish people enjoy sweets, including Turkish delight, baklava, and traditional cakes and biscuits. Visit a store where Turkish delight is sold and try everything they have to offer. This is the best way to experience Turkish delight. Turkish delight is noticeably better and very different from Turkish delight, which is popular and sold outside of Turkey. The Kunefe, a traditional cheese dessert that is baked after being covered in honey, and the Turkish delight, a sweet treat filled with chopped or creamed nuts in rolled form, are both worth trying.
The picturesque towns
Turkey is full of quaint small towns with vibrant cultures and extensive histories. The Muslim shrine known as Balikligol, also known as Fish Lake, is viewed from Sanliurfa Castle. Mardin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Safranbolu is a traditional Ottoman town with cobblestone streets and traditional Ottoman-style homes. Since saffron is the main product in this area, it should come as no surprise that Turkish saffron delight with coffee is a delicacy not to be missed.
The cost and ease of travel
Turkish tourists profit from the country’s protracted currency crisis because travel there is the most affordable in the Mediterranean. Traveling on a very tight budget is possible if you stay in neighbourhood guesthouses and eat at neighbourhood restaurants instead of forking out a lot of money on high-end hotels and restaurants. Buses are frequently offered, affordably priced, and cosy.