Which UK visa do Turkish citizens need for a visit?
For tourism, visiting family and friends, or short business trips such as meetings, Turkish citizens apply for the Standard Visitor visa. You can usually stay up to 6 months per visit. Frequent travellers can request a long-term visa valid for 2, 5 or 10 years, but each visit is still limited to 6 months.
| Validity | Fee | Approximate USD from Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | £135 | 190 USD |
| 2 years | £506 | 713 USD |
| 5 years | £903 | 1,273 USD |
| 10 years | £1,128 | 1,590 USD |
The dollar amounts are approximate, at 1 GBP ≈ 1.41 USD (28/10/2026). The fee is set in pounds, so the amount you are charged when paying from Turkey can vary with the exchange rate.
How do you apply for a UK visa from Turkey step by step?
- Choose the validity that suits your travel and gather your supporting documents.
- Complete the online application through GOV.UK; you can save it and come back later.
- Pay the fee online as part of the application, and select priority service at the same time if you want it and are eligible.
- Choose a visa application centre in Turkey and book your biometrics appointment with VFS Global.
- Upload your documents as instructed during the application, or have them scanned at the centre.
- Attend the appointment with your passport to prove your identity and give your fingerprints and photo.
- Wait for the decision: the Home Office emails you once it has decided.
- If approved, create a UKVI account, access your eVisa and add your passport to the account.
Do not buy flights or non-refundable accommodation before you have a decision. UKVI does not reimburse travel costs if an application is refused or takes longer than expected.
What should you watch for in the online form and documents?
The form is in English and asks about your personal details, passport, work and income, travel plans and travel history. You will be told during the application which documents to provide. According to the official guide, the only mandatory document is a valid passport; everything else is a suggestion, and the list is not exhaustive.
- Financial documents showing you have enough money for the trip.
- A letter from your employer on headed paper giving your role, salary and length of employment.
- Evidence of support if someone else is paying for your travel or accommodation.
- For anything not in English or Welsh, a full translation the Home Office can verify, with the translator’s name, signature, date and contact details.
When uploading, photograph or scan the original document, not a photocopy.
Where do you give biometrics in Turkey, and how?
GOV.UK’s find a visa application centre page sends applicants in Turkey to VFS Global. You book through VFS Global’s Turkey page, prove your identity with your passport at the centre and have your fingerprints and photo taken. If you do not attend within 240 days of submitting your application, you have to apply again.
Officially, most centres offer free appointments within 5 working days, while in some locations a standard appointment carries a charge. Extras such as document scanning may also cost money. Buying optional services does not improve your chances of success.
How long does a UK visa decision take?
The standard processing time for visit visas is 3 weeks. The clock starts when you attend your biometrics appointment and runs on the UK working week, Monday to Friday. It can take longer if information is missing or inaccurate, or if more evidence or an interview is needed; UKVI contacts you if that happens.
If you are eligible, you can choose priority service when you apply, at £500 per person, and usually get a decision within 5 working days. If it takes longer you will not usually get that money back, and priority service has no effect on the decision itself.
How do you use your eVisa once approved?
Successful applicants receive an eVisa: a digital record of your identity and immigration status that has replaced physical documents. You access it through a free UKVI account.
- Add the passport you will travel on to your UKVI account; the details must match what you give the airline.
- Your eVisa is checked when you check in and at the UK border.
- If asked for more proof, you can generate a share code in your account, valid for 90 days.
- If you get a new passport, update your account before you travel to the UK.
If you still hold a valid visa sticker (vignette), it stays valid until it expires.
How do children and families apply?
Each family member needs their own application, fee and appointment. You can apply on behalf of your partner and child if they cannot apply themselves. Children under 16 must attend the centre with an adult over 18, and children under 5 only have a photo taken.
A child under 18 travelling alone needs written consent from a parent or guardian, with their contact details. If the child travels with an adult, that adult is named in the application, and up to two adults can be named. A long-term visa issued to a child is valid only until 6 months after their 18th birthday.
What happens if your application is refused or withdrawn?
If you are refused, or given a shorter visa than you asked for, the fee is not refunded. If you withdraw, you get the fee back only if UKVI has not started processing your application. A refusal letter explains the reasons; read them carefully before you apply again.
What is the total cost of a UK visa application?
The total is the consular fee and our service fee (250 USD), per person. For a 6-month visa, one person comes to approximately ≈ 440 USD. Try other validities and group sizes in the calculator:
How can you get help with your application?
We charge one service fee for UK visas of every validity, covering the online form, a document list tailored to you and the application centre appointment. See our UK visa packages. If you are also applying for the US, its form works differently; see our DS-160 guide.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply for a UK visa?
You can apply up to 3 months before you travel. With a standard processing time of 3 weeks, it helps to apply early in busy periods.
Who handles UK visa applications in Turkey?
Biometrics appointments take place at VFS Global visa application centres, as directed by GOV.UK. The decision is made by UK Visas and Immigration, part of the Home Office.
Will I get a visa sticker in my passport?
No. Approved applicants receive a digital eVisa. You create a UKVI account and add the passport you will travel on.
How long can I stay on a long-term visitor visa?
Even on a 2, 5 or 10-year visa, each visit can last no more than 6 months.
Is the fee refunded if my visa is refused?
No. The fee is not refunded on a refusal or if you are given a shorter visa.
Does priority service mean a positive decision?
No. It only speeds up the decision, which usually comes within 5 working days; your application is assessed under the same rules.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Apply for a Standard Visitor visa — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Find a visa application centre — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Apply to come to the UK: paying fees and proving your identity — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Apply to come to the UK: applying online and getting a decision — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Visa processing times: applications outside the UK — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application — accessed:
- GOV.UK — eVisas: what an eVisa is — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Travel with your eVisa — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Standard Visitor: if you’re under 18 — accessed:
- GOV.UK — Visiting the UK: guide to supporting documents — accessed:
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Lincoln Visa Group is not an official authority; the visa decision rests solely with the competent authority of the country concerned.
