Archaeological Excavation, Exploration and Documentary Purpose Visas

Conditions you must meet

• Passport valid at least 60 days beyond the visa’s duration of staySet by Article 7.1b of Law no. 6458. This is a validity margin ON TOP of the stay, not six months from arrival — the authority works both examples through on the page.

  As of 1 January 2015, in accordance with the article 7.1b of “the Law on Foreigners and International Protection” no. 6458, foreigners wishing to enter Türkiye should carry a travel document (passport) with an expiration date at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay” of their visa, e-Visa, visa exemption, or residence permit.

• Maximum 90 days of stay within any 180 daysBinding on all foreigners, whether they travel on a visa or a visa exemption.

  The length of stay provided by visa or visa exemption cannot exceed 90 days within each 180 days. The regulation of 90 days of stay within the last 180 days is binding for all foreigners that will travel to Türkiye.

• A visa does not guarantee entryStated by the authority in its own words.

  The visas submitted to foreigners do not guarantee absolute rights of entry to Türkiye.

• Staying longer than 90 days requires a short-term residence permitA consular visa cannot exceed 90 days in any category; a longer stay is a separate application to the provincial migration directorate.

  In all types of visa applications, Turkish consular offices may issue visas with a maximum duration of stay of 90 days. The foreigners who wish to stay longer than 90 days in Türkiye, should apply for “Short Term Residence Permit” at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration in order to extend their residence.

• Special permission from the Turkish authorities must be obtained in advanceStated on both of this ministry’s visa pages.

  Foreigners who will shoot a documentary film conduct a research or an archeological excavation should get a special permission from the Turkish authorities in advance.

• Entry must be on the relevant visa, obtained through a Turkish mission abroadNot a tourist visa, and not obtained after arrival.

  It is necessary that the one should enter Türkiye by obtaining a relevant visa via our foreign representatives for excavation and research.

Official forms

• Filming: a permit document from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the provincial governorateTwo separate issuers, both named by the authority.

  The foreigners to come to our country for the purpose of movie and documentary shooting should obtain a permit document from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Directorate General of Cinema and the provincial Governorate.

Documents you must provide

• Medical insurance valid for the whole stayRequired of all applicants, not of a particular route.

  All applicants are required to have a medical insurance that will be valid during their stay in Türkiye.

• Applicants under 18: written approval from BOTH parentsThe authority names the exceptions itself — divorce with proven custody, or a deceased parent — and they are quoted in the same sentence rather than dropped.

  Any applicant under the age of 18 must submit official written approvals from both parents. For those applicants who certify that their parents are officially divorced and prove the parent holding their custody as well as for those with one parent deceased, visas may be issued in accordance with their purpose of visit.

Steps in the process

• Where the application goes depends on the activityDirect to the related institution for most research and filming; through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for surface exploration on cadastral records and for underwater archaeology.

  One can directly apply to the related institutions for scientific researches, sound track recording, filming documentaries and movies, photo shooting to be carried out on archeological, historical, geological, sociological and natural issues in Türkiye, on land, in the air, at sea, at river and at lake. Applications on surface explorations to be made on the land registry cadaster records with archaeological excavations and underwater archaeological researches apart from these are made to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the applicant's own diplomatic mission in Türkiye and to the Ministry via Turkish foreign representatives abroad on the other hand.

Government fees

• Visa fees are not refunded if the application is rejectedThe authority states this without qualification.

  Visa fees are not refundable in cases where applications are rejected

VisaAI suggestions

Not required by the authority. These are VisaAI’s suggestions for presenting a clearer application.

• Apply at least one month before travelThe authority’s own recommendation, stated as a processing-delay precaution.

  In order to avoid inconveniences that may be caused by delays in processing, it is recommended to apply for visas at least one month in advance before the planned travel.