ISTANBUL: The Republic of Turkey's Tourist and Resident Visa rules are set to change on February 1. Visitors to the country will be allowed to stay for up to 90 days at a time, within a 180-day period. Those applying for a resident permit must both apply and interview for it within the 90-day period. Under the new law, and visa violations will be strictly enforced. Previously, expats were able to apply for their residence visa and overstay the tourist visa until their interview date. Foreign residents could also go on “visa runs,” in which they exit enter neighboring countries in order to return to Turkey to purchase a new visa. Under the new Turkish Law No.5683, concerning the Law on Residence and Travel of Foreigners in Turkey, visa runs and visa overstays will result in penalties. A five-year ban on re-entry to Turkey is currently applied to individuals violating their tourist visa. These rules will come into effect before the main tourist season starts. The list of nationalities that will be able to apply for residency has not been finalized; therefore some applications currently in process may be void. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/uh6K3 Tags: tourist visas, Turkey Section: Latest News, Travel
