Turkey is a favorite vacation spot for Russian tourists. This eastern country attracts with a variety of resorts, comfortable all-inclusive hotels, friendly staff and interesting sights. One of the cities satisfying such requests is Istanbul. However, tourists have many questions related to the rules of entry into the country. The most popular of them is: do you need a visa to Istanbul. The answer depends on the purpose of the trip and its duration.
Is it necessary to apply for a tourist visa?
Recently, a very tense political situation has developed between Turkey and Russia. However, this is one of the rare cases when this situation did not affect the border crossing rules. Russian tourists can enter the country, for example, in Istanbul, without a visa. It is only important to remember and abide by the rules of a visa-free regime:
- Citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed to stay in Turkey without a visa for 90 days for six months. In other words, Russians can cross the border a huge number of times, but the total period of stay in the country for 180 days should not exceed three months.
- Now you do not need to apply for a visa every time you visit Turkey. A stamp on entry into the country is affixed free of charge.
- Obviously, a passport must be presented at the border. It is important to make sure that it will be valid for another three months from the date of departure from Turkey.
Residence
Do I need a visa to Istanbul if a Russian tourist intends to stay in this city for more than one month? Once a year, he has the opportunity to apply for a residence permit without a visa. The term of such permission is three months. It is handled by the Department for Foreign Citizens Affairs. The document is done over ten days, so you should collect all the necessary documents in advance:
- foreign passport, which is valid for at least three months;
- a special application that can be obtained from the Department for Foreigners;
- documents on the basis of which it is possible to increase the length of stay in the country (this may be a receipt for payment of a hotel or rental of premises);
- a document on financial security (bank statement, check on the purchase of banknotes);
- four color photos 3 x 4 cm in size.
Consequences of violation of a visa-free regime
If the time limit established by the visa-free regime is exceeded, violators will be fined and banned from entering the country from one month to five years. It all depends on the number of days of illegal stay in the country. For example, if the term is exceeded by no more than 15 days, then the violator manages only a monetary penalty. In other cases, the ban on entry is added to the punishment. That is why, when planning a visit to Istanbul, it is necessary to determine exactly whether a visa to Istanbul is necessary for Russians, and carefully read all the terms and conditions.
But what about business, work, or something else?
In Turkey, including Istanbul, they go not only to relax. How, then, is the entry procedure in the country? What visa is needed for Istanbul if the purpose of staying in it is work or something else?
If a foreign citizen plans to spend a long time in Turkey, then he needs to get a special visa. It is issued in the following cases:
- if a foreigner is officially employed in the country;
- if a foreigner conducts business negotiations in Turkey;
- if a foreigner wants to study in the country;
- if a foreigner marries a citizen of the Republic of Turkey;
- if a foreigner transports goods through the territory of the country;
- if a foreigner acquires real estate in the country or rents it for a long time;
- if the foreigner is in the country for technical purposes.
After obtaining a special visa and entering Turkey, it is necessary to take your passport to the nearest Police Station within a month in order to obtain a residence permit.
Required documents
The main set of papers for all types of special visas is the following documents:
- a visa application form completed in one of three possible languages: Russian, English, Turkish;
- copy of the main page of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation and residence registration;
- copy of the page of the foreign passport with the main data.
An additional one is attached to the main package of papers, which differs for different types of special visas. For a work visa you will need the following:
- original contract with a Turkish company;
- official invitation from this turkish company.
Applications for a work visa are considered within a month. After providing all the necessary documents, the Consulate issues a special number. The applicant transfers it to his employer, who, in turn, registers it with the Ministry of Labor within ten calendar days.
For a business trip and a visit with technical goals:
- notarized original invitation from a Turkish company;
- certificate from the actual place of work.
To apply for a student visa:
- original contract with an educational organization;
- an invitation from this educational organization;
- certificate of registration of a student in this educational institution;
- certificate of good conduct;
- document on the financial condition of the student;
- an invitation from a Turkish national with whom the student is going to reside.
Visa for property owners or tenants:
- original document confirming the fact of ownership of the property or its lease;
- financial stability document.
Visa processing by spouses of Turkish citizens:
- notarized original invitation from a Turkish citizen with whom the applicant is married;
- a document confirming the citizenship of the Turkish spouse;
- Marriage certificate.
For freight carriers:
- copy of both sides of the driver’s license;
- copy of all pages of the carrier’s work book;
- medical certificate with negative HIV test results;
- contract for the carriage of goods between Russian and Turkish companies.
Where to get a special visa?
If the answer to the question of whether a visa to Istanbul was needed turned out to be positive, then in Russia you can apply for a special visa at the consulates of four cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novorossiysk and Kazan. The applicant must bring all documents personally. If the visa is necessary for the whole family, then one of its members can submit papers. Additionally, it will be necessary to provide a document of kinship.
Consideration of applications begins three months before the date of the visit to Turkey. It is best to submit documents in advance, because requests are processed within two months, and in the summer even more.
Issue price
How much does a visa to Istanbul and other cities of Turkey cost? Basically, the consular fee is $ 50 (3,100 rubles). However, for different types of special visas it may vary. For example, the price of a work visa is $ 150 (9,300 rubles). A residence permit without a visa is issued for 10 dollars (622 rubles), in addition, you need to provide a receipt for payment of accommodation, which costs 149 Turkish liras (1955 rubles). Prices for technical and driver visas can be found at the consulate.
Transit through Istanbul
Do I need a visa to Istanbul if this city is not the final destination of the trip, but a transfer point? It is important to comply with certain conditions. Transit should not exceed a day, while the traveler can not leave the airport. In this case, you do not need to apply for a transit visa to Istanbul. You just need to check the availability of the following documents: permission to enter the next country and a ticket for the flight.
Why come to Istanbul at all?
Why go to Istanbul and apply for a visa here? There are several reasons. Firstly, Istanbul is an ancient city with a fascinating history and interesting places to visit. This is a unique place located at the junction of Europe and Asia and combines the features of these cultures. Secondly, favorable conditions have been created here for good earnings, especially for Russian speakers. Istanbul is a great opportunity to combine a fascinating journey and work.
Rich rest
Trips to Istanbul and other cities of Turkey have always been very popular among Russians. It is believed that this is the best option for relaxation. Here you can combine sunbathing on the beach, swimming in the sea and admiring the sights. Some tourists choose the popular resort cities: Antalya, Alanya, Belek, Kemer and others. Others book excursions from these places to Istanbul. Usually they do not last long, and during such a time it is almost impossible to feel the spicy-eastern atmosphere of the city. Holidays in Istanbul are a kaleidoscope of bright sunshine, warm sea, amazing mosques and sultans' palaces, oriental bazaars and sweets.
Sultan lovers will love the Sultanahmet district - the historical center of Istanbul. It is notable for the fact that it is here that the main interesting places of the city are located. In this area, various eras and events were concentrated, through which the city had to go and thanks to which it gained a modern look.
In the Sultanahmet district, you can visit the following attractions: Hagia Sophia Cathedral, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome Square, on which there are buildings brought from different countries.
Holidays in Istanbul are not only mosques and palaces, but also numerous bazaars and trade shops. Trade has always flourished in this place. Here is one of the largest markets in the world - the Grand Bazaar. Its vast complex includes not only a variety of shops, but also numerous cafes, exchange offices, even a school and a bathhouse. Shopaholics are also required to visit the Egyptian Bazaar, which has recently hosted a shopping festival. It lasts forty days. During its holding, all outlets operate around the clock.
It is not recommended to visit the beaches in the city itself. The best places for swimming and relaxing under the sun near Istanbul are on the Princes' Islands and in the Kumburgaz-Silivri area. Perhaps, for this reason, trips to Istanbul are more popular among lovers of educational leisure.
Tour Prices
Travel agencies offer a huge selection of tours to Istanbul from Moscow. They are convenient in that most of them include direct flights. Turkey is a relatively inexpensive country for a Russian tourist, therefore, the prices for vouchers will be small. The average cost of a tour to Istanbul from Moscow ranges from 30,000 rubles to 70,000 rubles per person. Of course, it all depends on the choice of hotel and travel time.
Work and business
Everyone can get a job in Istanbul. In addition, the Turkish Consulate issues work visas and residence permits without any problems. The most profitable here is the tourism sector, so Russian-speaking staff is always in demand, especially in the summer season. This is due to the fact that many Russian tourists speak English very poorly, therefore knowledgeable Russian animators, guides, maids and other tourism business experts are invited to work with them. The average salary of service sector employees is from 400 to 700 dollars (24 900 - 43 500 rubles).
Recently in Istanbul there are not enough Russian-speaking consultants in jewelry stores. There is a rather high demand for nannies and housekeepers who know the Russian language, because in Istanbul there are a lot of Russian and mixed families. It will also be easy to find work in Istanbul for hairdressers and manicurists. The average salary of such specialists is from 500 to 1200 dollars (31 100 - 74 700 rubles).
Now in Turkey there is a shortage of workers in the construction and engineering industries, as well as in the field of IT-technologies. The salaries of these specialists are much higher.