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Turkey Visa Rules for Patients: UK, EU, US, Gulf and Australia
For eye surgery in Istanbul, most patients from the UK, Ireland, the EU, the US, Canada, Australia and the Gulf states do not need a Turkey visa: ordinary passport holders can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, according to Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Laser surgery needs a stay of about 3–5 days and lens surgery about 5–7. Passport holders of countries such as Pakistan and India can apply for an e-Visa on the official site, evisa.gov.tr.
Do I need a Turkey visa for eye surgery?
It depends on your passport, and for most of our patients the answer is no. Turkey's visa rules apply by nationality, not by the reason for your trip. The table below summarises what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says for ordinary (standard) passports; it was checked on 7 October 2026. Diplomatic and official passports follow different rules.
| Your passport | Visa needed for a short visit? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism (GOV.UK: for business or tourism). No e-Visa is needed. British National (Overseas), British Subject and British Protected Person passports are the exception: they need a visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate |
| Ireland | No | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland | No | Up to 90 days (for most of these countries the Ministry words it as "in any 180-day period") |
| United States | No | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Canada | No | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Australia | No | 90 days within any 180-day period for touristic visits and transit |
| Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain | No | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Kuwait | No | Up to 90 days within the last 180 days |
| Qatar | No | Up to 90 days within six months, counted from the first entry date |
| Pakistan, India | Yes, but an e-Visa is possible | One-month single-entry e-Visa if you hold a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit (see below) |
| Iraq | Depends on age | Ordinary-passport holders under 15 or over 50 are exempt for up to 90 days; those aged 15–50 need a visa (an e-Visa is possible with a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit, subject to conditions) |
Other nationalities, including New Zealand and many more, are listed on the Ministry's page: always check your own passport there before you book flights, because the rules can change.
Do I need a Turkey visa from the UK?
No. British citizens with an ordinary passport can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. GOV.UK states this for both business and tourism, and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the same for touristic purposes.
That is why a search for a "Turkey e-Visa from the UK" can be confusing: if you hold a standard British passport, you do not need an e-Visa at all, and you should not pay anyone for one. Three details matter for UK travellers:
- Passport validity. GOV.UK says your passport must have an expiry date at least 150 days after the date you arrive, and at least one blank page.
- Special British nationalities. Holders of British National (Overseas), British Subject or British Protected Person passports need a visa and can only get it from a Turkish embassy or consulate.
- Travelling with a child. If you are leaving Turkey with a dual British–Turkish national child aged 18 or under, GOV.UK says you may need to show permission to travel from the Turkish parent.
Istanbul is roughly 4 hours' flight from London, so a UK trip for eye surgery is short and the 90-day allowance is far more than you need.
Do EU, Irish, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need a visa?
No: ordinary passport holders from these countries can enter Turkey without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists each country individually. The practical notes differ slightly by country.
EU and Ireland. Irish citizens, and citizens of the EU and EEA countries named in the table above, can enter without a visa. Check your own country on the Ministry's page if it is not listed here.
United States and Canada. Both countries moved from e-Visa to full visa exemption on 23 December 2023, according to Wikipedia's summary of Turkey's visa policy (the Ministry page confirms the exemption but gives no start date). The Government of Canada's travel advice, updated on 29 September 2026, says you need a passport valid for at least 150 days from the day you enter and enough blank pages for entry and exit stamps. It also says that to qualify for another visa-free 90-day stay you must leave Türkiye for at least 90 days before re-entering. Both points matter for repeat visits, not for a single eye-surgery trip.
Australia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says holders of ordinary Australian passports are exempt from visa requirements for touristic visits and transit travel for 90 days within any 180-day period. Australians previously needed an e-Visa; the exemption took effect on 17 April 2026 according to Wikipedia's summary of Turkey's visa policy (check the Ministry page for the current position). Allow for the long flight when you plan your stay.
Do Gulf citizens need a visa for Turkey?
No. Citizens of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain with ordinary passports can enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days, and Qatari citizens for up to 90 days within six months. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists each of these countries individually.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Bahrain moved from e-Visa to full visa exemption on 23 December 2023, according to Wikipedia's summary of Turkey's visa policy. Families who travel together should check that every passport in the group, including children's passports, meets the validity rule below. If you plan to travel in the summer or around Eid, check passport expiry dates early and renew in good time.
If you are a Gulf resident but not a citizen (for example an expatriate living in Dubai, Doha or Riyadh), the rules follow your passport nationality, not your country of residence.
Turkey visa from Pakistan, India and other countries: who can use the e-Visa?
If your country is not visa-exempt, the Turkey e-Visa is the usual route, but for some nationalities it is only open to people who already hold a visa or residence permit from the Schengen area, the US, the UK or Ireland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this for ordinary-passport holders from Pakistan and India, among others:
- Pakistan: ordinary passports need a visa. Holders of a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit may get a one-month single-entry e-Visa on evisa.gov.tr.
- India: ordinary, special and service passports need a visa. Holders of a valid Schengen member state, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit may get a single-entry e-Visa valid for one month, "provided that they meet certain conditions".
If you do not hold one of those visas or permits, you would apply through a Turkish embassy or consulate instead. Wikipedia's summary of Turkey's visa policy also lists extra conditions for some conditional e-Visa nationalities, such as a return ticket, a hotel booking, proof of funds and medical insurance. Because these conditions can change, read the conditions on the official site for your passport before you pay.
The e-Visa is only valid when the purpose of travel is tourism or commerce, according to the Ministry; for other purposes, such as work and study, visas are issued by Turkish embassies or consulates. If your trip is for medical treatment and you need a visa, ask your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate which visa applies to you. Your coordinator can send a letter confirming your treatment dates to include with your application ({{visa-support letter: confirm contents and turnaround}}).
What is the official Turkey e-Visa website?
The official Turkey e-Visa website is evisa.gov.tr, run by Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry launched the e-Visa system on 17 April 2013 and says applicants can obtain an e-Visa online, around the clock, in about three minutes after filling in their identity, passport and travel-date details and paying the fee online.
The Government of Canada's advice warns against third-party websites that offer visa help: they charge extra fees and do not represent the Turkish government. The same caution applies to UK, US and Australian travellers who are sometimes sent to paid "e-Visa" sites. If you are visa-exempt, you do not need to apply to anyone.
How to apply, if you do need an e-Visa:
- Check your nationality on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs page, or on evisa.gov.tr, to confirm that an e-Visa is available to you and under what conditions.
- Type the address yourself: evisa.gov.tr. Do not click an advertisement.
- Fill in your details: identity, passport number and travel dates, exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Pay the fee online with a card. The fee depends on your nationality and is shown on the site before you pay.
- Save your e-Visa and keep it with your passport for check-in and arrival.
This is the "Turkey visa application" in plain terms: an online form, not an interview, for those nationalities where the e-Visa is offered.
What does a Turkey e-Visa cost, and what is the visa fee?
If you are visa-exempt (UK, Ireland, EU, US, Canada, Australia, Gulf), the fee is nothing: you do not need a visa, so there is nothing to pay. If someone asks a UK passport holder to pay for an "e-Visa", it is not needed.
For nationalities that do need an e-Visa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says e-Visa fees on evisa.gov.tr are lower than the fees for a visa bought on arrival at Turkish airports. The amount differs by nationality, so the official site shows your price before you pay. We do not quote fee amounts here, because they are set by the Ministry and can change; the Ministry fee list we could open is dated 2014 and should not be relied on. {{e-Visa fee statement: confirm whether to show a current fee from evisa.gov.tr}}
Your eye surgery price is separate from any visa cost, and is quoted to you in your own currency.
How long must my passport be valid for Turkey?
For a visa-free stay of 90 days, your passport should be valid for at least 150 days after you arrive, and the Ministry advises at least six months. The Ministry says foreigners should carry a passport that expires at least 60 days beyond their permitted stay. Its own example: for a 90-day stay, that is 90 + 60 = 150 days. GOV.UK and the Government of Canada both quote 150 days for their citizens, and GOV.UK adds that you need at least one blank page.
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Expiry date | At least 150 days after you arrive (the Ministry advises at least 6 months) |
| Blank pages | At least one (GOV.UK); enough for entry and exit stamps (Canada) |
| Names | The name on your flight booking, any e-Visa and your passport must match |
| Companions | Each person, including children, needs their own valid passport |
Our simple advice: if your passport expires within a year, renew it before you book flights. Surgery dates are agreed ahead of time, and a rushed passport renewal is an avoidable problem.
How long can I stay in Turkey after eye surgery?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period if your passport is visa-exempt, which is many times longer than eye surgery needs. Most patients stay in Istanbul for 3–5 days for laser eye surgery and 5–7 days for lens or cataract surgery. Your surgeon checks your eyes before you fly home, and your coordinator and surgeon follow your recovery remotely afterwards.
| Treatment | Typical stay in Istanbul | Visa-free allowance (ordinary passport) |
|---|---|---|
| Laser eye surgery (LASIK, SMILE Pro, PRK) | 3–5 days | 90 days in any 180 |
| Lens or cataract surgery | 5–7 days | 90 days in any 180 |
| Longer or two-stage treatment plans | {{stay length by treatment, from the surgeons}} | 90 days in any 180 |
The allowance is counted across any 180-day period, so include earlier visits to Turkey in the same period. For a first trip, you will not come close to the limit.
Checklist: what to do before you travel
- Look up your passport
on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page. Confirm "no visa" or "e-Visa possible".
- Check your passport expiry
(150 days after arrival at the very least) and blank pages.
- Apply for an e-Visa only if your nationality needs one
, and only on evisa.gov.tr.
- Book flights after your surgery date is agreed
Plan the dates with your coordinator, using the stay lengths above. How the trip works from first message to surgery to home is explained in How it works: from WhatsApp to surgery to home (/en/how-it-works/).
- Check each companion's passport
the same way.
- Arrange travel insurance
GOV.UK advises getting appropriate travel insurance that covers your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency; ask your insurer whether planned surgery abroad is covered.
- Carry your documents on the plane
passport, any e-Visa, flight and hotel details, and your eye drops and prescription in hand luggage.
Not sure where you stand? Send us your nationality and travel dates through the free online consultation (/en/free-consultation/) and your coordinator will point you to the right official page and plan dates with you.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your passport, not where you live. A standard British passport holder can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, according to GOV.UK and Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you live in the UK but hold, for example, a Pakistani or Indian passport, check the e-Visa conditions above, because a UK visa or residence permit can make you eligible for the e-Visa.
No, not if you hold an ordinary British passport. Turkey introduced its e-Visa system in 2013, but UK citizens are visa-exempt for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, so there is nothing to apply for. Avoid paid websites that offer e-Visas to British travellers.
The official site is evisa.gov.tr, run by Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Type the address yourself and avoid search-engine advertisements, because third-party sites charge extra fees and are not government websites, as the Government of Canada warns.
The fee depends on your nationality and is shown on the official site before you pay. The Ministry says e-Visa fees are lower than visa-on-arrival fees. UK, Irish, EU, US, Canadian, Australian and Gulf citizens with ordinary passports do not pay anything because they do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.
Yes, if they hold a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The e-Visa is a one-month single-entry visa, and the official site may set further conditions. Without one of those visas or permits, apply through a Turkish embassy or consulate.
The Ministry advises a passport valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, and says the minimum for a 90-day stay is 150 days (90 plus 60). GOV.UK and the Government of Canada both quote 150 days. To be safe, renew a passport that expires within the year.
For most patients a short trip for eye surgery fits inside the visa-free allowance of 90 days in any 180-day period. The e-Visa is valid for tourism or commerce, and the Ministry says other purposes, such as work and study, need a visa from an embassy or consulate. If you are unsure which applies to your passport, ask your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate, and ask your coordinator for a letter confirming your treatment dates.
Each traveller is judged on their own passport. A UK, EU, US, Canadian, Australian or Gulf family does not need visas for a short stay, but every person, including children, needs a valid passport that meets the expiry rule above.
A few extra days sit well within 90 days for visa-exempt passports. Tell your coordinator as early as possible so that your flights, accommodation and follow-up check can be rearranged. If you need a visa, ask the embassy or consulate before travelling about extending your stay.
Planning your trip to Istanbul for eye surgery?
Your surgeon and coordinator plan your dates around your treatment, not the other way round. Eye surgery is performed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Satıcı, Doç. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer (Doç. means Associate Professor) or Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram in a fully equipped, Ministry of Health–licensed operating theatre in Istanbul.
Sources for the facts on this page
- Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Visa Information for Foreigners (country-by-country exemptions; e-Visa; passport validity). https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa. Opened 7 Oct 2026.
- Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Visa fees list (e-Visa vs visa on arrival; the version available is dated 2014 and was not used for any amount). http://www.mfa.gov.tr/data/KONSOLOSLUK/vize-harc-miktarlari-en.pdf
- Republic of Türkiye, e-Visa application system (official site). https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
- GOV.UK (FCDO). Turkey travel advice: Entry requirements. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements. Opened 7 Oct 2026.
- GOV.UK (FCDO). Turkey travel advice: Warnings and insurance. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/warnings-and-insurance. Opened 7 Oct 2026.
- Government of Canada. Travel advice and advisories for Türkiye (entry requirements, updated 29 Sept 2026). https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/turkey
- Wikipedia. Visa policy of Turkey (secondary source, used only for the 23 Dec 2023 and 17 Apr 2026 exemption start dates and the conditional e-Visa requirements; confirm against a Turkish government source). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Turkey