What a Turkey visa is for
A Turkey visa lets a foreign national enter, stay in or pass through Turkey for a set period. There are several visa types, depending on the reason for the trip: a tourist visa for leisure travel, a business visa, a student visa for study, and a family reunion visa for visiting relatives. Whichever Turkey visa you need, the application asks for a recent photo that meets the official specifications, so the visa photo is one of the first things to prepare.
Turkey visa photo size explained
The standard Turkey visa photo size is 50×60 mm, which is 5×6 cm. It is a little larger than the 2×2 inch photo many other countries use, so a print made for another visa or passport will not have the right size. Always check the photo size before you print. In our template the head is about 34 mm tall from chin to the top of the head, with about 10 mm of space between the top edge of the photo and the hair. A print at 300 DPI keeps the photo sharp at this size. The background should be plain light grey, and the photo must be in colour.
Online e-Visa or embassy application
Some travellers can apply online for an e-Visa through the official e-Visa website, without a visit to an embassy or consulate. Others fill in the visa application form online through the official visa application system and then submit the Turkey visa application with their documents at the nearest embassy or consulate. Some nationalities do not need a visa at all for short stays; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps the official list. Check which path applies to you before you prepare your visa photo, and follow the photo instructions shown for that path.
Digital file or printed photo
Our visa photo works both ways. For an online application, download the digital file and upload it where the form asks for a photo. For an embassy or consulate application, print the photo at 300 DPI and cut it to 50×60 mm. A scan of an old printed photo is not a good substitute for a fresh digital photo: it loses sharpness and often shows the wrong size or colours. If you need more than one copy, print several on one sheet and cut them carefully along the edges.
Other documents for your visa application
The photo is only one part of the Turkey visa application. You will also need:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to enter Turkey.
- At least one blank passport page for the visa stamp.
- A completed visa application form, filled in online or downloaded.
- Proof of travel plans, such as flight bookings and accommodation details.
- Evidence of enough funds for your stay, and travel insurance if your visa type requires it.
The visa fee depends on the visa type and your nationality. Processing times vary, so apply well before your trip; some applicants are also invited to an interview at the embassy or consulate. You can find your nearest mission on the official list of embassies and consulates.
Turkey visa photo checklist
- Correct photo size: 50×60 mm (5×6 cm).
- Head about 34 mm tall, about 10 mm below the top edge.
- Plain light grey background with no shadows or patterns.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, looking at the camera.
- Head straight and centred, full face inside the frame.
- Recent, sharp colour photo, taken for this application.
Photo size in pixels
At 300 DPI, the 50×60 mm photo size works out to about 591×709 pixels. A file with that many pixels, printed at 300 DPI, comes out at exactly 5×6 cm. If an online form shows its own pixel size or file size limit, follow the size the form asks for; a visa photo that is too small or too large in file size may fail the upload.
Why the size and head size matter
The visa photo has to show your face clearly. A head that is too small, cut off at the top or placed off centre does not meet the 34 mm head height and 10 mm top margin, and a photo in the wrong size is not the 50×60 mm the specifications ask for. The tool measures the head size and the margin above the hair for you, so you do not need a ruler. Planning a longer stay? A residence permit has its own photo size; see the residence permit (ikamet) photo page.
