90/180 Days Visa Stay Rule and Visa Violation in Turkey | Extend Your Visa in Turkey with E-Ikamet

90/180 Days Visa Stay Rule and Visa Violation in Turkey

The 90 days out of 180 days stay rule is a policy that applies to foreign citizens who are traveling to Turkey on a tourist or short-term business visa, an e-Visa or visa-free. It allows these individuals to stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This means that if a foreign citizen enters Turkey on a tourist or short-term business visa, they can stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, after which they must leave the country. Some nationalities are allowed fewer days, such as 30 or 60. They can come back only when the days they spent in Turkey in the previous 180 days add up to less than 90; after a single 90-day stay, this means waiting 90 days.

How is visa stay duration calculated? It is important to note that the 90 days out of 180 days stay rule applies to the total number of days spent in Turkey, regardless of the number of visits made. For example, if a foreign citizen enters Turkey on a tourist visa and stays for 30 days, then leaves and re-enters the country 30 days later, they have used up 60 days of their 90-day stay allowance. If they stay for another 30 days, they will have used up the full 90 days of their allowance and must leave the country. They can return once enough time has passed for the total in the last 180 days to fall below 90.

When the 180-days period is calculated, we take the last 180 days into calculation. For example, on 16 October 2026 we look at the period from 20 April 2026 to 16 October 2026 and check whether we spent more than 90 days in Turkey in that period. Leaving for a short trip and coming back does not reset the count.

The 90 days out of 180 days stay rule does not apply to foreign citizens who hold a residence permit or work permit for Turkey. These individuals are allowed to stay in the country for the duration of their permit, as long as it is valid.

How to stay longer: apply for a residence permit on e-Ikamet

In practice, a visa or visa-free stay is not extended in Turkey: the way to stay longer than 90 days is a short-term residence permit, and you must apply before your permitted stay ends.

• Fill in the application form on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr and book an appointment at the provincial migration office.
• The application document you receive lets you stay legally until a decision is made, but it gives you no right to re-enter Turkey if you leave in the meantime.
• Bring your passport, biometric photos, health insurance, proof of address (for example a notarised rental contract or a title deed) and the other documents required for your permit type. You pay the residence permit fee, which depends on your nationality and the length of the permit, and the card fee, which is 964 TL in 2026.
• Tourism-purpose permits are examined strictly and are not granted automatically, especially renewals.
• If the application is refused, you are normally given 10 days to leave Turkey.

The migration authority's guidance says online applications made within 10 days after a visa ends may still be considered, but this gives you no extra legal stay and is no guarantee, so do not wait. If you have already used your 90 days and want to come back for a longer stay, you may be admitted on condition that you apply for a residence permit within 10 days of entry.

Turkey Residence Agency can help you choose the right permit type, check your documents and complete the e-Ikamet form; you apply in your own name and the decision rests with the migration authorities. See our residence permit service.

What is Visa Violation in Turkey? Visa violation in Turkey refers to a foreign citizen staying in the country beyond the allowed time period or engaging in activities that are not permitted under their visa. This can include working without a work permit, engaging in activities that are not in line with the purpose of the visa (e.g. studying without a student visa), or staying in the country beyond the allowed time period.

If a foreign citizen is found to be in violation of their visa, they may be fined, deported, and banned from returning to Turkey. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of your visa and to adhere to them in order to avoid any potential problems.

What is overstay fee?

The overstay fee in Turkey for foreigners is a fee charged to individuals who remain in the country beyond the allowed time period of their visa. It is calculated from the residence permit fees that apply to the individual's nationality, so the amount depends on the length of the overstay and on the country of citizenship. It is important to pay any outstanding overstay fees as soon as possible, as failure to do so may result in additional penalties, including deportation and a ban on returning to Turkey. It is also important to note that the overstay fee is in addition to any other fines or fees that may be imposed for violating a visa. For how the fee is calculated in 2026, how to pay it at the airport and the current entry ban table, see our guide on how to pay the visa overstay fee in Turkey.

Conclusion In conclusion, the 90 days out of 180 days stay rule is a policy that applies to foreign citizens traveling to Turkey on a tourist or short-term business visa. It allows these individuals to stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visa violation in Turkey refers to a foreign citizen staying in the country beyond the allowed time period or engaging in activities that are not permitted under their visa. If a foreign citizen is found to be in violation of their visa, they may be fined, deported, and banned from returning to Turkey.

Rules and fees checked in October 2026. They change often, so confirm them with the Presidency of Migration Management (goc.gov.tr) before you act.