Turkey Student Visa: Costs and Admission Requirements 2024

Turkey, with its efficient and internationally recognized education system, affordable tuition fees, and reputable universities, is known as one of the best countries for academic migration. With 180 colleges and universities and over 3,000 academic programs, Turkey has one of the largest educational systems in the world. For students seeking knowledge and aiming to study in a developed country with excellent conditions, Turkey is a great option. Studying in Turkey for international students involves a set of requirements, conditions, and documents that must be submitted for admission to its universities. A Turkish student visa is one of the most important documents required for studying in this country. In this article from Elm Vira’s series, we will explore the various types of Turkish student visas.

What is a Student Visa?

Before delving into the topic of Turkish student visas, let’s clarify the concept of a student visa. A student visa is an official document that is attached to a passport when traveling abroad for education. Also known as a student visa, it is issued by the government of the country where the student intends to study. This visa allows international students to stay legally in the country of study until the completion of their academic program. Studying abroad can also be a pathway to finding a job after graduation, which can lead to obtaining permanent residency in that country. All students traveling abroad for studies need a student visa. This visa essentially permits long-term stay (1 to 3 years or more) for applicants in the host country. However, students do not need a student visa for short-term educational courses. In some cases, there may be agreements between the student’s home country and the country of study, allowing students to study without the need for a student visa. The duration of the student visa granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey is either 30 or 90 days. Before the expiration of this period, students must apply for a residence permit for educational purposes at the immigration office in the province or region where they are studying. Foreign students can apply for the visa in person or electronically.

Types of Student Visas for Turkey

Choosing the correct type of student visa for Turkey is crucial. Students travel to this country for different educational levels and various purposes, so there are several types of student visas available. Please note that selecting the wrong visa type could result in the rejection of your visa application. Therefore, it is important to consult with our experts at Elm Vira before making a decision. Below are the types of student visas for Turkey:

Internship Visa
A visa for students or individuals pursuing internships in Turkey.
ERASMUS Internship
A specific type of visa for students participating in the Erasmus exchange program for internships.
AISEC Internship
A visa for students participating in internships organized by AISEC.
Turkish Language Course Purpose
A visa for those intending to attend a Turkish language course in Turkey.
Course Purpose
A visa for students attending short-term educational courses in Turkey.
Education Purpose
A visa for students enrolled in formal education programs such as undergraduate, master’s, or PhD programs.
Research Visa
A visa for those traveling to Turkey for academic or scientific research purposes.
Education in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
A visa for students wishing to study in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Each visa type has specific requirements and documentation, so it is essential to choose the correct one based on your academic goals.

Steps for Applying for a Student Visa to Turkey

Students intending to immigrate to Turkey for educational purposes and study at its universities must first obtain a student visa from the Turkish Consulate in their home country. After receiving an acceptance letter from a Turkish university, students can proceed with their visa application.

University Acceptance

The first step in obtaining a student visa for Turkey is to present the acceptance letter from a recognized university or educational institution in Turkey to the Turkish consulate in your country. To begin this process, students must schedule an appointment at the Turkish consulate in their area. The application for the appointment should be submitted in person at the consulate, while the appointment itself can be booked online. For this, applicants must download and complete the appointment request form and prepare all necessary documents for the visa application to complete their file and proceed with obtaining a student visa.

In-Person Visit

Applicants must complete and sign the visa application on the day of their appointment at the Turkish Embassy or Consulate, along with the required documents, which will be reviewed in the next steps. During the visit, a short interview may take place. The consulate officials may ask questions regarding the applicant’s educational plans and the purpose of their trip to Turkey. This interview can influence the decision to grant or deny the visa. Ultimately, applicants will have to wait for the embassy’s decision. In some cases, applicants can track the status of their application through the Turkish Consulate website.

Online Student Visa Application

Another method to apply for a Turkish student visa is through an online application. In this process, applicants need to create an account on the official Turkish visa website and proceed with applying for their student visa. All forms are available online and must be completed accurately. Processing the student visa application for Turkey can take between 3 to 15 days, depending on the embassy or consulate where the application is submitted. Although the processing time for a Turkish student visa is relatively short, students should apply for their visa as soon as they receive their acceptance letter from the university. Unexpected delays or incomplete documentation may result in not receiving the visa on time if applicants do not follow up on their application promptly.

Required Documents for a Turkish Student Visa The issuance of a Turkish student visa is handled by the country’s immigration office. The process for obtaining a student visa is generally similar across various countries. However, each country may have specific immigration laws and requirements. For a Turkish student visa, the following documents are typically required:

Passport

A valid passport is the first important document needed. Some countries require applicants to submit a passport that is valid throughout their study period. However, for Turkey, students are required to have a passport with a minimum validity of one year. Additionally, the passport must have at least two blank pages for visa stamps. In case applicants have an expired passport, a copy of the expired passport may be submitted.

Acceptance Letter

To apply for a Turkish student visa, applicants must provide an acceptance letter from a recognized university or educational institution in Turkey, along with the necessary documents, to the embassy. This letter proves that the applicant has been enrolled in a specific program and that the university has accepted their application. Since the visa process can take some time, students should apply for their student visa immediately after receiving the acceptance letter. The student visa cannot be issued unless the university’s acceptance has been confirmed and the initial registration has been completed.

Proof of Financial Sufficiency

Students applying for a Turkish student visa must provide various documents. One of the most important documents is the proof of financial sufficiency, which demonstrates that the student has enough funds to cover their tuition and living expenses for one year in Turkey. This document is issued by a bank and includes the balance of the student’s bank account, along with the exchange rate for the requested currency (USD, EUR, TRY, etc.).

Language Proficiency Certificate

One of the essential documents for obtaining a student visa for Turkey is the language proficiency certificate, which shows the student’s ability to communicate in the country’s official language. Since courses at Turkish universities are offered in both Turkish and English, students must provide a language certificate in Turkish (TOMER) or English (IELTS or TOEFL). Different universities specify minimum required scores for international language tests for student admission. It is important to note that some universities and educational institutions may only accept specific language test certificates, so students should research this requirement thoroughly.

Other Required Documents

Some countries may request additional documents for issuing a student visa, such as a medical certificate and insurance. In some cases, a motivation letter is also highly important for obtaining a student visa. Students must submit all required documents on the date of their embassy appointment. Any mistakes or missing documents may result in the rejection of the student visa application. Other documents you may need for obtaining a Turkish student visa include:

Officially translated and copied birth certificate
Visa application form
CV and employment history (if applicable)
Flight reservation
Travel health insurance covering the student’s stay and return in Turkey, with a minimum amount of €30,000
Criminal record certificate
Receipt of visa application fee payment
Medical certificate
Recent passport-sized photos
Academic documents and more.

Student Visa Extension for Studying in Turkey A Turkish student visa is typically issued for a specific period. If the visa expires before the student finishes their studies, they will need to apply for an extension. It is generally advised that students apply for an extension at least 30 days before their visa expires. Extensions for student visas can be done both online and offline. Conditions for Applying for a Turkish Student Visa Students who wish to migrate for studies in Turkey must first obtain admission from their chosen university and then apply for a student visa. The student visa allows them to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days; however, once they enter Turkey, they must apply for a residence permit at the local immigration office. Conditions for obtaining a Turkish student visa include the following:

Completion of the residence permit application form
Submission of the original passport, a copy of the passport, and the student visa
Admission letter from the university
Four passport-sized photos (4×6)
Language proficiency certificate
Last educational qualification certificate

Turkish Student Dependent Visa If you plan to migrate to Turkey for studies, one of the types of student visas available is the student dependent visa. Having family members accompany you during your studies can significantly reduce the stress of migration and ease the challenges faced while studying abroad. Applicants wishing to study in Turkey can obtain a student-dependent visa, which allows them to live with their spouse and children under 18 years old during their stay in Turkey. To apply for this visa, applicants must submit the required documents along with the dependent visa application to the Turkish consulate. The validity period of the student-dependent visa is linked to the duration of the applicant’s study program in Turkey.

Cost of Turkish Student Visa Applicants are required to pay several fees to obtain a Turkish student visa. These fees, when combined, constitute the total cost of the student visa for Turkey. Students wishing to study in Turkey must apply for their student visa before entering the country. The Turkish representative in the applicant’s home country will issue the student visa. Foreign nationals applying for a Turkish student visa must present an acceptance letter from their chosen university to the Turkish consulate. The cost of the student visa includes travel insurance, which is approximately 30,000 euros (about 54,150,000 IRR), the processing fee for the visa application, which costs around 760 Turkish Lira (about 1,165,221 IRR), and financial proof, which requires showing around 4,000 to 5,000 dollars. The cost of obtaining the Turkish student visa varies depending on the type of entry, as follows:

Single Entry Visa: Approximately 55 euros
Double Entry Visa: Approximately 110 euros
Multiple Entry Visa: Approximately 180 euros

Conclusion Turkey has become one of the most popular destinations for students in recent years. The country is home to prestigious and internationally recognized universities and educational institutions. The number of Iranian students studying in Turkey has also been increasing, with about 5,000 Iranian students traveling to Turkey for higher education in recent years. One of the essential requirements for studying in Turkey is obtaining a Turkish student visa. Applicants can submit the necessary documents to the Turkish consulate in their home country to apply for the visa. In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about Turkish student visas. Thank you for staying with us until the end.

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