DIY Visa Series: How to Apply for a Turkey Visa in Abu Dhabi

Ever since I came here to UAE in 2012, it has been my dream to visit the wondrous city of Istanbul. Only a 4 hour flight from Dubai, to be able to go there will be like going to Asia and Europe at the same time - and with its rich history, the people, the food and the architecture, it will truly be worth the 9 day trip without being tempted to cross to the nearest European country (Greece) which will only be a 20 minute ferry from Bodrum or Fethiye. 4 years in the making and finally~ finally -- my dreams are coming true ^^

Okay, but first things first ~ since we're Filipinos, we definitely need a visa to enter Turkey. However, they do have an exception, you can get an e-visa (like what we did for Taiwan), provided that you have a valid Schengen members or USA, UK, Ireland visa or residence permit. Click here for more information.

Since we didn't have any of those, our only option was to get a sticker visa the traditional way. I tried to search again on how-to's but mostly the process was Dubai-based and if your residence visas were issued under Al Ain or Abu Dhabi, you need to apply here in Abu Dhabi.

Everybody's saying that getting a Turkish visa is a piece of cake but after the hulabaloo for our supposed South Korea trip last September, I didn't rest easy till I see that visa stamped and sealed on my passport T_T Hindi man lang nila pinag-isipan! Chos! #moveonalready

GETTING STARTED

Most of the people I know lodged their visa applications personally at the embassy but first you need a confirmed appointment before going there. I tried to do it online but the scheduling system was fully booked until next year so I went with VFS Visa Application Center. You have to pay an extra fee for the appointment though (128 AED / person) but it's worth it since you can't book by the embassy's website anyway.

However, kindly note that the process outlined here is based on our experience only, at the time of our application.

WHAT TO PREPARE

Listed below are for tourism, single-entry purposes only, taken from the VFS website. For requirements under different categories, please check their website, VFS Global, by clicking here:

• Application form signed by the applicant. This should be filled out online and you need to print it out, sign it, and attach to your application.
• Passport with at least 6 months validity, and copies of entry and exit seal/stamps of previously obtained visas, if any.
• Emirates identity card, and a resident/work permit with at least 6 months validity.
• Current biometric photo (with a white background, taken in the last 6 months, with the face and ears clearly visible, in 5x6 size).
• Round trip flight reservation (pre-reservation) 
• Hotel reservation (pre-reservation)
• Since we'll be going to Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus, along with Istanbul, we opted to add our 9 day itinerary as well, along with booked domestic flights via Pegasus Air. 
• Travel medical insurance valid for the duration of the visa (A document indicating that the plans of private health insurance holders cover overseas medical expenses is also accepted).
• Even if we both have worldwide coverage from Zurich, we still opted to get travel insurance under AXA Travel Smart. A colleague from work had recommended this to us after she was scammed in Amsterdam. She was able to make a claim as soon as she got back in AUH so yeyyy, and best of all, you can do the whole process online like in worldnomads.
• Family registration certificate issued in the name of the applicant (for family applications).
• Work documents to be prepared by the applicant himself/herself or the person providing him/her:
• If employee: Guarantee letter (a company official or owner statement, which includes their contact details, offers the employee’s position, start date of employment, off-duty dates, and guarantees that the employee will return to his/her country and workplace after his/her travel), payrolls for the last 3 months, and the company trade license, all of which will be obtained from the company he/she works for.
• Take note, a guarantee letter is much like the NOC (No Objection Certificate) in a way but with the wording that your company will guarantee your return after your leave dates. However, some companies will not issue guarantees so you can just submit both your NOC and Salary Certificate in its place.
• If company owner: The company’s certificate of establishment and registration, the company’s trade license, and the company bank account statement showing transactions for the last 3 months (sealed, signed).
• If his/her spouse provides him/her: Documents requested from the above-mentioned employee or company owner regarding the providing spouse.
• Documents showing the financial position: The bank account statement showing transactions for the last 3 months (sealed and signed), documents regarding the person's immovables located in Turkey (title deed, license etc.), and if any, his/her bank account statements available in Turkey.
• If another person provides him/her; then the above-mentioned documents for the provider must be presented.
• Group travels also require the following documents in addition to the above-mentioned documents:
• Documents regarding the company organizing the travel
• Applications are reviewed individually for group travels.
• Visa application fee (225 AED/person)

HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT

If all your documents are ready, go to this link and register for an account. If you're applying with somebody else, you can schedule an appointment under the person's name as well, along with yours.

Once you're registered, you will receive an appointment confirmation like below. Print it out and attach it to your application as well, and if you're doing this by group, 1 copy is enough for everybody.

APPOINTMENT DAY

Go to VFS Application center, see map below, and make sure you're there 15 minutes prior to your appointment. We were the first ones there, but the ladies who manned the Turkish visa area were very pleasant and made the experience very smooth for us.

You will receive SMS and email alerts to track your application status. You can also opt for Aramex delivery instead of collecting your passport personally but it will be an additional 40 AED per person. However, if you do decide to forego the delivery and have another person collect it in your stead (kuripot levels), they can present the original receipt along with your signed authorization letter and a photocopy of your emirates ID.

And 7 working days after, we got our visa!

Over-all, the pre-application period was hectic and the waiting game was nerve-wracking but it's totally worth it! To my world history teacher in high school, cheers to ya! :P I'm going to set foot to where the greats of history have tread before!

Date applied: 31-Oct-17
Passport Collected: 8-Nov-17

To anyone who's going there for the National Day holidays, see y'all around! Hope it's extended till the 3rd so I can sleep off the jetlag! #wishfulthinking