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Türkiye (Turkey) for South African passport holders: eVisa

Your circumstances

Passport:
🇿🇦 South African
Lives in:
Not specified (general rule)
Going to:
🇹🇷 Türkiye (Turkey)
Purpose:
Holiday

Route summary

eVisa

Türkiye e-Visa (apply online before travel)

South African ordinary passport holders need a visa for Türkiye but can get it online. Ordinary passport holders can obtain a one-month single-entry e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr (Turkish missions issue three-month multiple-entry visas).

Conditions

  • Passport must be valid at least 60 days beyond the permitted duration of stay (Law 6458 art. 7.1b); MFA advises 6 months validity from arrival.
  • Ordinary passport holders can obtain a one-month single-entry e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr (Turkish missions issue three-month multiple-entry visas).
  • e-Visa is valid only for tourism or commerce.

About this route

Route type
eVisa: you apply online before you travel.
Documents
Document list not published by the official source.
Fee
Fee not published by the official source.
Processing
Processing time not published by the official source.

Next step

Steps not published by the official source — use the official link to start.

Official application pageevisa.gov.tr ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Last checked 2 Nov 2026 against mfa.gov.tr · Checked on the live official page

Documents

Document list not published by the official source.

Fees

Official government fee
Not published by the official source
Visa-centre / service fee (not a government fee)
None stated by the official source
Notes from the source
Fee shown on evisa.gov.tr during application; the MFA fee PDF is dated 2014 and not used.

These notes may mention other charges that we have not yet separated into government and service fees. Visa-centre, service or other third-party charges are never official government fees.

Processing and validity

Processing time
Not published by the official source
Validity
one-month single-entry e-Visa
Maximum stay
Not published by the official source

How to apply: Türkiye e-Visa (apply online before travel)

Where to apply

Where: Online – www.evisa.gov.tr

Official application page: evisa.gov.tr ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Quick answers

Do South African passport holders need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey)?

Türkiye e-Visa (apply online before travel). South African ordinary passport holders need a visa for Türkiye but can get it online. Ordinary passport holders can obtain a one-month single-entry e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr (Turkish missions issue three-month multiple-entry visas). Source: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

Business, work or just passing through?

The rules above are for a holiday: tourism and visiting family and friends. Business visits, paid work and transit are covered separately below.

Business visits to Türkiye (Turkey)

Option 1
eVisaBusiness visit (meetings, conferences – not paid work)

Business visit: Türkiye e-Visa (apply online before travel)

Short business visits (meetings, conferences, negotiations – not paid work) follow the same route as a holiday, because the official source covers business visits (Tourism or commerce). South African ordinary passport holders need a visa for Türkiye but can get it online. Ordinary passport holders can obtain a one-month single-entry e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr (Turkish missions issue three-month multiple-entry visas).

Conditions

  • Passport must be valid at least 60 days beyond the permitted duration of stay (Law 6458 art. 7.1b); MFA advises 6 months validity from arrival.
  • Ordinary passport holders can obtain a one-month single-entry e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr (Turkish missions issue three-month multiple-entry visas).
  • e-Visa is valid only for tourism or commerce.
Government fee
Fee not officially published
Fee shown on evisa.gov.tr during application; the MFA fee PDF is dated 2014 and not used.
Processing
Not verified yet
Validity
one-month single-entry e-Visa
Max stay
Not verified yet
Steps, documents & where to apply

How to apply

Steps not verified yet — follow the official source below.

Where: Online – www.evisa.gov.tr

Official application page ↗

Documents checklist

Document list not verified yet — check the official source.

✓ Checked on the live official page

Official wording

“South Africa: Ordinary passport holders are required to have visa to enter Türkiye. They can obtain three-month period multiple entry visas from Turkish representations abroad or one month period single entry visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr. Official passport holders are exempted from visa for their travels up to 30 days.”

Working in Türkiye (Turkey)

Main work visa routes for Türkiye (Turkey)

These are the main routes and what they require. Whether you qualify depends on your circumstances; the official page decides.

Work permit (fixed-term, employer-tied)

For: Foreigners employed by an employer in Türkiye

  • From abroad: apply in person at a Turkish embassy/consulate for a 16-digit reference number; the employer then applies online (e-İzin) with it
  • Workplace normally employs at least five Turkish citizens per foreign employee (exemptions apply)
  • Employer financial criteria (e.g. paid-in capital of at least TRY 500,000)
  • Minimum pay as a multiple of the gross minimum wage: 5× senior executives and pilots, 4× engineers and architects, 3× other managers, 2× expert/master jobs, 1× other jobs
Length
Up to 1 year on first application (not longer than the employment contract)
Longer term
Permanent work permit possible after at least eight years with a long-term residence permit or legal work permit

Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Türkiye) – Work permit FAQ; Work Permit Evaluation Criteria (csgb.gov.tr).

What the source says

"In the first stage, the foreigner applies for a work permit in person at the embassy or consulate general of the Republic of Türkiye" … "his/her employer is required to apply for a work permit to our Ministry through the e-Government portal" … "the foreigner is granted a work permit valid for up to one year at the first application" … "Foreigners who have a long-term residence permit or a legal work permit for at least eight years in Türkiye may apply for an permanent work permit." … "it is essential to employ at least five Turkish citizens in the workplace where the foreigner will be working." (https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/en/calisma-izni/calisma-izni-degerlendirme-kriterleri/) … "the workplace must have a paid-in capital of at least 500,000 TL." (https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/en/calisma-izni/calisma-izni-degerlendirme-kriterleri/) … "a) Five times the minimum wage for senior executives and pilots, b) Four times the minimum wage for engineers and architects, c) Three times the minimum wage for other managers, d) Twice the minimum wage for those employed in jobs requiring expertise and mastery" (https://www.csgb.gov.tr/uigm/en/calisma-izni/calisma-izni-degerlendirme-kriterleri/)

Checked 16 Oct 2026. Overview: MoLSS – Foreign National Employment. Requirements, fees and thresholds change; confirm on the official page before applying.

Transit through Türkiye (Turkey)

Option 1
Visa-freeAirside transit (changing flights without entering)

Airside transit: no transit visa needed (stay in the transit lounge)

If you don't leave the transit lounge at a Turkish airport you don't need a transit visa. Otherwise you need a visa (or e-Visa / visa exemption, as for a visit).

Conditions

  • Check with your airline whether your connection lets you stay airside; if you must clear immigration (e.g. to collect baggage or change terminals/airlines) the normal entry rules apply.
Government fee
Fee not officially published
Processing
Not verified yet
Validity
Not verified yet
Max stay
Not verified yet
Steps, documents & where to apply

How to apply

Steps not verified yet — follow the official source below.

Documents checklist

Document list not verified yet — check the official source.

✓ Checked on the live official page

Official wording

“Türkiye MFA – Frequently Asked Questions: 'If you will not leave the transit lounge at the airport you are not required to have transit visa. Otherwise, you have to make visa application to the nearest Turkish Representation.'”

Alert me if this route changes

Get an email when we update the guidance for South African passport holders going to Türkiye (Turkey), after we've checked the change against the official source. Nothing else.

Tell me about changes to

We send a confirmation email first. Unconfirmed sign-ups are deleted after 7 days.

Before you go to Türkiye (Turkey)

Customs cash limits and the scams official travel advice warns about in Türkiye (Turkey).

Cash you can bring in and take out

Not yet confirmed — check the official customs page. We couldn't confirm Türkiye (Turkey)'s cash limits on an official page yet, so we don't show a number. Check the current rules on gumrukrehberi.gov.tr →

Official source: gumrukrehberi.gov.tr · Last checked 4 Oct 2026 · Details

Common tourist traps

  1. Friendly stranger, spiked food or drink

    How it works: Someone offers to change money or take you to a restaurant or club; food or drinks are spiked and you are robbed.

    How to avoid it: Decline such offers, buy your own drinks and keep them in sight.

  2. Fake USD 50 and 100 notes

    How it works: Counterfeit 50 and 100 dollar bills are circulating; banks and exchanges may refuse them.

    How to avoid it: Avoid accepting these notes in change.

  3. Methanol in bootleg alcohol

    How it works: Illegally made spirits and fake branded bottles have killed people, including in Istanbul and Ankara.

    How to avoid it: Buy alcohol only from reputable outlets; get urgent help if you feel ill after drinking.

All 7 traps for Türkiye (Turkey) →

Emergency numbers in Türkiye (Turkey)

Other traps paraphrased from official travel advice: gov.uk · FCDO page updated 21 Sept 2026 · Last checked 4 Oct 2026.

Explore Türkiye (Turkey)

Planning more than the paperwork? Our Türkiye (Turkey) guide picks out places to visit, things to do and where to shop, with a source for every tip.

Places to visit:
Hagia Sophia · Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern · Topkapı Palace and Süleymaniye Mosque
Things to do:
Hot-air balloon over Cappadocia · Dinner at a meyhane · Fish by the Galata Bridge
Shopping:
Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) · Neighbourhood street markets · Grand Bazaar
Read the full Türkiye (Turkey) guide
Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet, Istanbul© Arild Vågen · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque, Istanbul
Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque, Istanbul© Moonik · CC BY-SA 3.0
Galata Tower, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Galata Tower, Beyoğlu, Istanbul© User:Ggia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), Istanbul
Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), Istanbul© Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 4.0
The Bosphorus, Istanbul
The Bosphorus, Istanbul© Alexxx Malev · CC BY-SA 3.0

Stay alert in Istanbul

Theft and scam hot-spots from official travel advice and Wikivoyage.

South African passport: of the 153 destinations with a rule verified from an official source, 51 visa-free, 13 visa on arrival, 31 eVisa or travel authorisation, 58 embassy visa.

Türkiye (Turkey): rules verified from an official source for 194 of 198 passports. Türkiye (Turkey) guide and every passport →

Where else can South African passport holders travel? See every destination we cover →

Optional travel offers

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Plan your trip to Türkiye (Turkey)

Verify with the embassy before you book. Visa rules change without notice. We link every rule to its official source and last checked it on 2 Nov 2026, but the embassy, official e-visa portal and your airline have the final say. MyVisaPort is not a visa agent and is not affiliated with any government.