This guide covers UK visa requirements for Turkish citizens (Türkiye) in 2026, including fees, grant rates, processing times, and how to apply. Turkey is a visa-national country, so its citizens need a visa for every UK trip — there is no ETA option. The 6-month visitor visa costs $189, paid in US Dollars. Turkey is the UK's third-largest visitor-visa market after India and China, with a strong 90% grant rate on over 263,000 applications a year, and applications run through TLScontact centres in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026. Fees from the Home Office visa fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule.
Turkey remains a visa-national country, so every traveller needs a visa — the ETA does not apply. Fees rose under the 8 April 2026 schedule, with the 6-month visitor visa now $189, paid in US Dollars at TLScontact. Turkey is the third-largest UK visitor market and the 90% grant rate holds, with study at 97%. Successful applicants now receive a digital eVisa rather than a passport sticker.
UK Visa Requirements for Turkish Citizens 2026
Turkey is one of the UK's most important visa markets — third by visitor volume after India and China, with around 275,000 applications across all routes in the year ending March 2026. As a visa-national country, Turkish passport holders must hold a visa before travelling, whatever the purpose; the ETA does not apply. Backed by a large UK-Turkish community and strong bilateral ties, grant rates are high across every category.
Yes. Turkey is on the UK's visa-national list, so its citizens must obtain a visa before travelling, for any purpose — there is no ETA option. The 6-month Standard Visitor visa costs $189. Turkish applicants enjoy a 90% visitor grant rate, well above the 79% global average, with study at 97% and family at 93%.
| Visa Category | Applications | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor | 263,446 | 90% |
| Study | 6,445 | 97% |
| Work | 3,552 | 91% |
| Family | 1,550 | 93% |
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026.
Only India and China send more visitor applications to the UK than Turkey. The 90% grant rate reflects well-documented applications and established travel patterns. Turkish applicants sit alongside other strong-performing neighbours in the wider region, such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. Our grant rate analysis sets these figures in context.
UK Visa Fees from Turkey 2026
UK visa fees from Turkey are charged in US Dollars and paid during the online application. The 8 April 2026 schedule raised most fees, with the 6-month visitor visa now $189. Work, study, and family visas also carry the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid separately in pounds sterling at £1,035 per year (£776 for students).
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 6-month Visitor | $189 | 90% |
| 2-year Visitor | $710 | 90% |
| 5-year Visitor | $1,267 | 90% |
| 10-year Visitor | $1,583 | 90% |
| Student | $783 | 97% |
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,149 | 91% |
| Health and Care Worker | $455 | 91% |
| Spouse / Partner | $2,896 | 93% |
| Priority service | $702 | — |
UK Tourist Visa from Turkey 2026
The 6-month UK tourist visa from Turkey costs $189, with long-term options at $710 (2 years), $1,267 (5 years), and $1,583 (10 years). Each visit is capped at 180 days. With a 90% grant rate, Turkish visitor applicants have strong approval prospects when finances and ties are well documented.
The Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, family visits, business, and short courses. Turkish applicants succeed at a high rate, but documentation still matters — bank statements, employment evidence, and reasons to return. Those visiting relatives should review the documents a UK host provides, and frequent travellers may prefer a long-term visitor visa valid for up to ten years.
- Provide 6+ months of bank statements showing steady income.
- Include an employer letter confirming role, salary, and leave.
- Show property, business, or family ties to Turkey.
- Add any previous travel history demonstrating compliance.
- Give a clear itinerary, accommodation, and purpose of visit.
UK Student Visa from Turkey 2026
The UK Student visa from Turkey costs $783, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor is required, along with proof of English and maintenance funds. The Turkish student grant rate is high at 97%.
The UK is a popular destination for Turkish students. The UK Student visa needs a CAS, the English language requirement, and maintenance funds of £1,483 per month for London or £1,136 elsewhere. Graduates can then use the Graduate Route for two years of post-study work.
UK Work Visa & the ECAA Route for Turkish Citizens 2026
The Skilled Worker visa from Turkey costs $1,149 for up to 3 years, or $2,270 for longer, needing a sponsored graduate-level job paying at least £41,700. Turkish nationals already in the UK on a legacy ECAA (Ankara Agreement) visa can still extend, though the route closed to new applicants at the end of 2020. The Turkish work grant rate is 91%.
Most Turkish workers now use the Skilled Worker visa, which needs a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer and a salary meeting the going rate in the Home Office eligible occupations list. Those already holding a legacy Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa can extend under the ECAA route, set out in the Home Office Turkish ECAA business guidance, which leads to settlement. Healthcare professionals use the lower-fee Health and Care Worker route.
| Work Visa Type | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,149 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | $2,270 |
| Health and Care Worker | $455 |
| Global Talent (with approval) | $288 |
UK Spouse & Partner Visa from Turkey 2026
The UK Spouse visa from Turkey costs $2,896 and requires the UK sponsor to earn at least £29,000 a year. The initial visa runs for 33 months, with a pathway to settlement after five years. The Turkish family grant rate is 93%. A Turkish partner can also visit first on a Standard Visitor visa ($189).
A common question is whether a Turkish partner can come to the UK. For a visit, the Standard Visitor visa is correct and benefits from the 90% grant rate. To settle, the UK Spouse visa lets a Turkish national join a British or settled partner under Appendix FM, leading to settlement after five years. The sponsor must meet the £29,000 income requirement and prove a genuine relationship.
UK Visa Requirements & Documents for Turkish Citizens
Turkish applicants do best when documentation is thorough and consistent. Financial evidence and ties to Turkey carry the most weight on the visitor route, while sponsored routes turn on the CAS or Certificate of Sponsorship. The core requirements apply across all visa types.
- Valid Turkish passport with at least 6 months beyond the intended stay.
- Completed online application via gov.uk with the fee paid in USD.
- Bank statements for the last 6 months showing sufficient funds.
- Employment evidence — a letter confirming role, salary, and leave.
- Accommodation details — bookings or a UK host's invitation.
- Ties to Turkey — property, business, or family showing return intent.
Our supporting documents checklist covers each route in detail. If an application is refused, our guides to common refusal reasons and reapplying successfully explain the next steps. Turkish nationals with Jordanian residency should note Jordan's UK ETA was revoked in 2024.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Turkey via TLScontact
Turkish citizens apply online at gov.uk, pay in US Dollars, and give biometrics at a TLScontact centre in Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir. Turkish nationals cannot use the ID Check app and must attend in person. Begin at gov.uk, or see our application form guide.
- 1. Complete the online application on gov.uk and select Turkey.
- 2. Pay the visa fee in US Dollars during the application.
- 3. Book your appointment at TLScontact Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir.
- 4. Attend and give biometrics — fingerprints and a photograph.
- 5. Submit supporting documents at the centre or online.
- 6. Access your eVisa through your UKVI account once approved.
Standard decisions take around 3 weeks, with settlement and family cases up to 12 weeks; the priority visa service can shorten non-settlement decisions where offered. Our guide to processing times after biometrics explains the timelines once you have attended your TLScontact appointment.
- Turkey is visa-national — a visa is required for every trip, no ETA.
- 6-month Visitor visa: $189; long-term up to $1,583 for 10 years.
- Turkey is the UK's #3 visitor market with a 90% grant rate.
- Student visa: $783 (97%); Skilled Worker: $1,149 (91%).
- Legacy ECAA (Ankara Agreement) holders can still extend.
- Spouse visa: $2,896, requiring £29,000 sponsor income.
- Fees paid in US Dollars; biometrics at TLScontact Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir.
Yes. Turkey is on the UK's visa-national list, so Turkish passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling, whatever the purpose — there is no ETA option. The most common choice for short visits is the Standard Visitor visa, costing $189 for six months. Turkish applicants enjoy a 90% grant rate, well above the 79% global average, and Turkey is the UK's third-largest visitor market after India and China.
UK visa fees from Turkey in 2026 are: 6-month Visitor $189, 2-year Visitor $710, Student $783, Skilled Worker $1,149 for up to 3 years, and Spouse $2,896. Fees are paid in US Dollars at TLScontact during the online application. Work, study, and family visas also require the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid separately in pounds at £1,035 per year, or £776 for students.
In the year ending March 2026, the Turkish visitor visa grant rate was 90% — of 263,446 applications, 237,421 were granted. Other routes performed even better: study 97%, work 91%, and family 93%. Turkey is the third-largest UK visitor market after India and China, and these high rates reflect well-documented applications and the established travel links between the two countries.
Standard processing from Turkey is around 3 weeks for visitor, student, and work visas, and up to 12 weeks for settlement and family visas. The priority service returns a decision in about 5 working days for non-settlement visas where offered, and super priority the next working day. These timelines run from your biometrics appointment at TLScontact in Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir, not from the online submission.
Yes. For a visit, a Turkish partner can apply for a Standard Visitor visa ($189), which has a 90% grant rate — include an invitation letter and evidence of your relationship. To settle together, the route is the Spouse visa ($2,896) if you are married, or the fiancé(e) route to marry in the UK and then switch. The UK sponsor must earn at least £29,000. Only the spouse or partner route allows work.
The ECAA route, based on the Ankara Agreement, once let Turkish nationals come to the UK as businesspersons or workers. It closed to new applicants on 31 December 2020, but those already on the route can still extend their stay and progress to settlement. New Turkish workers now use the Skilled Worker visa instead, which costs $1,149 for up to three years and needs a sponsoring UK employer paying at least £41,700.