Turkey is a favorite holiday destination for Russian tourists. This eastern country attracts with a variety of resorts, the comfort of all-inclusive hotels, the friendliness of the staff and interesting sights. One of the cities that satisfies such requests is Istanbul. However, tourists have many questions related to the rules of entry into the country. The most popular of them sounds like this: do I need a visa to Istanbul. The answer depends on the purpose of the trip and its duration.
Do I need a tourist visa?
Recently, a very tense political situation has developed between Turkey and Russia. However, this is one of the rare cases when such a situation did not affect the rules for crossing the border. Russian tourists can enter the country, for example, to Istanbul, without a visa. It is only important to remember and follow the rules of the visa-free regime:
- Citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed to stay in Turkey without a visa inwithin 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. An entry stamp is affixed free of charge.
- Obviously, at the border it is necessary to present a foreign passport. It is important to make sure that it will be valid for another three months from the date of departure from Turkey.
Residence permit
Do I need a visa to Istanbul if a Russian tourist is going 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 issued by the Department for Foreign Citizens. The document is made within ten days, so it is worth collecting all the necessary documents in advance:
- a foreign passport valid for at least three more months;
- special application available from the Aliens Office;
- documents on the basis of which it is possible to increase the period of stay in the country (this may be a receipt for paying for a hotel or renting a dwelling);
- document of financial security (bank statement, banknote purchase check);
- four color photos 3 x 4 cm.
Consequences of violating the visa-free regime
If the period established by the visa-free regime is exceeded, violators will be fined anda ban on entry into 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 deadline is exceeded by no more than 15 days, then the violator manages only with a monetary pen alty. In other cases, a ban on entry is added to the punishment. That is why, when planning a visit to Istanbul, you need to determine exactly whether a visa to Istanbul is needed for Russians, and carefully read all the rules and conditions.
And if business, work or something else?
Turkey, including Istanbul, go not only to rest. What is the procedure for entering the country in this case? What kind of visa is needed for Istanbul if the purpose of stay in it is work or something else?
If a foreign citizen plans to spend a long time in Turkey, then he needs to obtain 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 purchases 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 with it, you must take your passport to the nearest branch within a monthPolice to get a residence permit.
Required documents
The main set of papers for all types of special visas is the following documents:
- 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 registration at the place of residence;
- copy of the passport page with basic data.
The main package of papers is accompanied by an additional one, 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 hands it over to his employer, who, in turn, registers it with the Ministry of Labor within ten calendar days.
For business and technical visits:
- notarized original invitation from a Turkish company;
- certificate from the actual place of work.
For student visa:
- original contract with an educational organization;
- an invitation from this educational organization;
- certificate of registration of the student in this educational institution;
- certificate of no criminal record;
- financial status documentstudent;
- an invitation from a Turkish citizen with whom the student is going to live.
Visas for property owners or tenants:
- original document confirming the fact of ownership or rent;
- financial stability document.
Issuance of a visa by spouses of Turkish citizens:
- notarized original invitation from a Turkish citizen with whom the applicant is married;
- document confirming the citizenship of the Turkish spouse;
- marriage certificate.
For Cargo Carriers:
- copy of both sides of 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 can I get a special visa?
If the answer to the question of whether you need a visa to Istanbul 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. All documents must be submitted personally by the applicant. If the whole family needs a visa, then one of its members can submit papers. Additionally, you will need to provide a document of kinship.
Consideration of applications starts three months before the date of the visit to Turkey. It is best to apply early because requests are processed within twomonths, and even more in summer.
Issue price
How much is a visa to Istanbul and other cities in Turkey? Basically, the consular fee is 50 dollars (3100 rubles). However, it may differ for different types of special visas. 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). The prices of technical and driver's visas can be found out exactly 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? Here it is important to comply with certain conditions. Transit should not exceed a day, while the traveler cannot leave the airport. In this case, you will 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 is it worth going to Istanbul and applying for a visa here? There are several reasons. First, Istanbul is an ancient city with a fascinating history and interesting places to visit. This is a unique place, located at the crossroads 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 exciting travel and work.
Richrest
Trips to Istanbul and other cities in Turkey have always been very popular among Russians. It is believed that this is the best option for recreation. Here you can combine sunbathing on the beach, swimming in the sea and admiring the sights. Some tourists choose 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-oriental atmosphere of the city. Holidays in Istanbul are a kaleidoscope of bright sun, warm sea, amazing mosques and palaces of sultans, oriental bazaars and sweets.
Sightseeing 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 through and thanks to which it acquired its modern look.
In the Sultanahmet area, you can visit the following attractions: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome Square, which houses buildings brought from different countries.
Recreation in Istanbul is not only mosques and palaces, but also numerous bazaars and trading 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 should also visit the Egyptian Bazaar, which has recently hosted a shopping festival. It lasts forty days. During the event, all outlets are open 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, this is the reason why tours to Istanbul are more popular among lovers of cognitive rest.
Tour prices
Travel agencies offer a huge selection of tours to Istanbul from Moscow. They are convenient because most of them include direct flights. For a Russian tourist, Turkey is a relatively inexpensive country, so the prices for tours 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 tourism sector is the most profitable here, 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, so animators who know Russian, guides, maids and other tourism business specialists are invited to work with them. The average salary for service workers is between $400 and $700.
Lasttime in Istanbul there are not enough Russian-speaking consultants in jewelry stores. There is a rather high demand for nannies and housekeepers who know Russian, because there are a lot of Russian and mixed families in Istanbul. Jobs in Istanbul will also be easy for hairdressers and manicurists. The average salary of such specialists ranges from $500 to $1,200 (31,100 - 74,700 rubles).
Turkey is currently experiencing 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.
