Turkey’s abrupt visa change sees SA going from getting 3 minute visa to waiting 10 to 15 working days

[rvZA]

Travel agencies are warning their customers that their e-visas to enter Turkey (the country has recently changed its name to Türkiye) are not valid, even if they were issued online from 6 July 2022.

Previously, South Africans could apply for an e-visa online, but seemingly without warning, Turkey's government has stopped South Africans from using this facility, which previously enabled them to get a visa in under three minutes.

Now, South Africans looking to apply via this system are greeted with this message:

"Unfortunately, nationals of the country that you selected are not eligible for e-Visa. Kindly visit the nearest Turkish mission to apply for a visa application. Please visit http://www.visa.gov.tr for the full list of the Turkish Embassies and Consulates."

Flight Centre said in a letter to its customers: "Ordinary passport holders are required to have a visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain three-months period multiple-entry visas from the Turkish embassy [in Pretoria.]"

Rennie Travel gave similar advice, saying the processing time at the embassy will take between 10 to 15 working days from submission.

Rennie Travels advised its customers: "As the process is in a state of flux, please speak to one of our travel advisors for the latest update should you be travelling to Turkey."

Turkey’s abrupt visa change sees SA going from getting 3 minute visa to waiting 10 to 15 working days | News24

Turkey’s unexplained move to make South Africans ineligible for e-visas, means even those who had one issued online from 6 July 2022, do not have a valid one.

www.businessinsider.co.za

 

[rvZA]

Lol.... Why?

 

[AchmatK]

Lol.... Why?

It's been fixed.

E visa now again available for South African passport holders.

 

[AchmatK]

I think it was a technical error/glitch when they removed a number of African countries on the 6th after the recent Nigeria delisting and SA was lumped in with all other African countries in being removed from the Evisa system.

 

[AchmatK]

.

 

[rvZA]

I think it was a technical error/glitch when they removed a number of African countries on the 6th after the recent Nigeria delisting and SA was lumped in with all other African countries in being removed from the Evisa system.

Thanks, I saw the article earlier today. Did not know it was fixed. I think this would have affected many Saffers flying through there as some flights have very long layovers and you do not always want to sit inside the airport.

 

[Snyper564]

Thanks, I saw the article earlier today. Did not know it was fixed. I think this would have affected many Saffers flying through there as some flights have very long layovers and you do not always want to sit inside the airport.

This small miscommunication/error cost me 4k, have two sets of tickets now. Canceling the turkey leg on the back of this will go there in the future...

What they fail to mention is the document requirements included a police clearance certificate. Pretty much making it a many month affair..

Esp when the embassy confirms that a visa is now required... Anyway...