Entry Requirements & Customs

Entry Requirements

An entry visa is required for citizens of the U.S. (US$26 for a single entry for stays up to 3 months, or $87 for multiple entries valid for up to 5 years for stays as long as 3 months at a time), Canada (US$60 or 45€ on arrival valid for 90 days and multiple entries), the U.K. (£36 for multiple entries up to 3 months, or £70 for up to 2 years), and Australia (US$20 on arrival), while a valid passport is sufficient for citizens of New Zealand.

It's unnecessary to acquire an entry visa prior to departure, as visas can easily be obtained upon arrival. Visa windows are conveniently located adjacent to the immigration line at the port of entry; simply proceed to the visa counter before you get in the immigration line, and have your money ready. Visas obtained on entry can be paid in cash in U.S. dollars or in euros; U.K. residents can pay in pounds. Depending on your nationality, visas are valid for 3 months; visas for multiple entry within a 90-day period are also available for a higher fee. Consult your local embassy website for details.

Embassies in Ankara -- United States, Atatürk Bulv. 110, Kavaklidere (tel. 0312/455-5555); Canada, Cinnah Cad. 58, Çankaya (tel. 0312/409-2700); United Kingdom, Sehit Ersan Cad. 46/A, Çankaya (tel. 0312/455-3344); Australia, Ugur Mumcu Caddesi 88/7, Gaziosmanpasa (tel. 0312/459-9500); New Zealand, Iran Cad. 13/4, Kavaklidere (tel. 0312/467-9054).

Consulates in Istanbul -- The United States, Istinye Mahallesi, Kaplicalar Mevkii 2 (tel. 0212/335-9000); Canada, Istiklal Caddesi 373/5 (tel. 0212/251-9838); United Kingdom, 34 Mesrutiyet Cad., Tepebasi (tel. 0212/334-6500); Australia, AskerocagI Caddesi 15, Sisli (tel. 0212/243-1333).

Customs

On Entry -- The Turkish government has established a list of items that may be brought into the country duty-free. In addition to personal effects, travelers are permitted: one video player; one pocket computer; one portable radio/tape player; one pair of binoculars (no night vision allowed); one camera and five rolls of film; one typewriter; personal sporting equipment; necessary medical items; gifts not exceeding US$300; spare car parts; and various other relatively improbable items for the average tourist. (A complete list is available through the Turkish Embassy website.) Sharp instruments and weapons may not be brought into the country without special permission (diving and camping knives included). Obviously, the importation, buying, selling, and consumption of marijuana and other narcotics is strictly forbidden. You shouldn't need to watch Midnight Express to figure that one out.

The Turkish Embassy's official consular advisory requires that antiques or other valuables such as video cameras, laptops, and even cellphones be registered in your passport upon entry into Turkey to ensure that they leave with you when your journey is over, but judging by the cheerful wave-through by border officials, it seems that this enforcement of this practice is less than completely stringent.

On Exit -- For valuables purchased during your stay, be prepared to provide receipts or other proof of purchase -- particularly for that 4"x6" prize silk Hereke -- to avoid problems with Turkish Customs when you leave and to aid in declarations in your home country. Forget about having your carpet salesman lie on the official Certificate of Origin, because the U.S. immigration police are prepared to consult their little carpet blue book if you try to slip through without paying up. Be aware that the authentic 16th-century porcelain soup tureen that you bought or those authentic ancient coins attached to your new necklace are either fake or unable to make the journey with you; it is illegal to take antiquities or anything of historical value out of the country. To enforce this, the Turkish government requires that anything dating to the end of the 19th century be authenticated by a museum official before its exportation can even be considered. It is also illegal to carry out tobacco seeds and plants, or hides, skins, or clothing made from wild animals. For items dating prior to the 20th century, permission plus a certificate of authenticity from a museum official is needed. Minerals require special documentation obtainable from the General Directorate of Mining Exploration and Research in Ankara (tel. 312/287-3430; in Turkish only: www.mta.gov.tr).