Turkey visa for Ghanaians
Do Ghanaians who wish to visit Turkey require a Turkey visa for Ghanaians?
Yes, citizens of Ghana require a visa to enter and stay in Turkey. To acquire a visa, you must
Provide a valid Ghanaian passport
Provide proof of funds
There are different types of visa programs open to Ghanaians, and they all have different requirements. Read this article until the end to know more.
Ghanaians in Turkey
Turkey is home to a thriving population of Ghana citizens, many of whom either study or work in the country. Over the last decade, the number of Ghanaian immigrants in Turkey has skyrocketed after the Turkish government improved its visa application process to cover all visa programs.
The increase in the local Ghanaian population witnessed a spike after the Covid lockdowns as many seek academic and employment opportunities in the country.
The borders of Turkey remain open to Ghanaians who can meet all the requirements for a Turkish visa.
Types of Turkey Visa For Ghanaians
As a Ghanaian, you can apply for the following types of visas.
Business Visa
This Turkey business visa is for Ghanaians who have businesses in Turkey or wish to open a business in Turkey. The visa does not have a specific validity as the embassy will issue it to you based on the nature of your economic activities, among other factors. Business Visa may last for as long as 6 months to 2 years or more.
Student Visa
A student visa is one of the most popular travel documents many Ghanaians use to enter Turkey. If you have been offered college admission by any of Turkey’s tertiary institutions, this is the visa you need. Student visas have a validity of 1-4 years. In most cases, the Turkey embassy will issue a visa in line with the duration of your course of study. If you were offered a 4-year course, the visa you will be issued would be a 4-year visa to cover the duration of your study.
Work Visa
Work visas are issued for those coming to Turkey to work. In many instances, work visas are applied by the employer on behalf of the applicant, but in special cases, you can apply for the visa yourself as long as you can prove that you’ve been employed by a person or entity currently in Turkey. This visa is a multiple entry visa
If you get a work visa, you can’t work with it straight away. You need to arrive in Turkey first and then approach the Ministry of the Interior to apply for a work permit. It is the work permit that grants you the right to work. The work visa only gives you access to the country so that you can apply for the permit.
Tourist Visa
Another type of visa Ghanaians can apply for is a Turkey tourist visa. However, the online version called a Turkey e Visa is no longer open to Ghanaians as the online e visa application was closed to Ghanaians on July 8, 2022. So to get a Tourist Visa, you will have to approach the embassy in Accra to apply for one.
Tourist visas have a validity of 180 days; it is the ideal visa for vacations and short business trips that will not keep you long in the country.
If you get a work visa, you can’t work with it straight away. You need to arrive in Turkey first and then approach the Ministry of the Interior to apply for a work permit. It is the work permit that grants you the right to work. The work visa only gives you access to the country so that you can apply for the permit.
How To Apply For A Turkey Visa
To apply for a Turkey visa for Ghanaians, you need to visit the Turkey embassy or any of its agents in Accra to request an application form. You must fill out the form with your details and attach all the required documents to the form.
In addition, there is a visa fee you must pay to the designated bank account of the Turkey embassy in Accra in cash or using a debit card to make a secure online payment. The printed receipt should also be attached to the application form and submitted.
After submission, the officials of the embassy will give you a date for an interview. On the set date of the interview, bring along all the original copies of your documents submitted earlier, including printed copies.
The official will ask you some questions about your trip, which will take less than 15 minutes.
After that, you should get feedback regarding your application within 15-30 working days. If successful, you will be asked to visit the embassy with your Ghanaian passport to collect your Turkish visa.
Documents Required To Process Turkey Visa Requirements For Ghanaians
Ghanaian passport with at least 6 months validity and one blank page
Completed visa application form
2 Passport sized pictures taken recently
Proof of active health insurance
Proof of funds
Receipt of the visa processing fee
The eligibility for a Turkey visa for Ghanaians is not the same; different visas have different requirements, so do your findings before you commence the application process.