Visa rejection happens all the time. Even with a motive as sincere as tourism or business, it’s not unheard of to have your visa rejected.
Hello and welcome to our blog on the Turkish e-visa.
If you’re reading this, I take it you’ve had a firsthand experience of the Turkish visa office rejecting your application. Or perhaps you’re here to learn from the mistakes of others, so that you know what to avoid when submitting your application.
In any case, this post is going to shed some light on the subject of Turkish e-visa rejection and what you can do about it.
Sit back and learn.
What is the Turkish e-visa?
First of all, let’s define what e-visa Turkey really is.
E-visa Turkey is an electronic Turkish visa that can be applied for online and is awarded by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to people entering Turkey for tourism and business purposes.
It is valid for a duration of six months and affords the visitor a stay period of 30 to 90 days, depending on the visitor’s nationality.
What is Turkish e-visa rejection?
Turkish e-visa rejection refers to a situation wherein your e visa Turkey online application is denied. When you apply for e-visa Turkey, and you get a rejection email, it means you’ve been denied access into Turkey.
The good news, however, is that rejection is not denial. The fact that your application was rejected doesn’t mean you can’t try again. E-visa Turkey is a multiple-entry visa system, which means you can apply multiple times.
That said, it would be unwise to look past the reason you were denied in the first place. That’s why you need to read this post till the end.
In case you don’t know why you were rejected, or would like to know the reasons that often lead people to get rejected, check out what we’ve found below.
Common reasons for Turkish e-visa rejection
- Your namesake has been banned from entering Turkey
Yes, you read that correctly. If your name appears similar to or exactly the same as someone who’s been banned from entering Turkey, then expect your e-visa to be denied.
LOL, Turkey is funny like that.
Many a time, certain individuals are prohibited from entering Turkey. For some, this happens due to their previous history in the country, and for others it’s due to a suspicion that they may violate laws there.
In any case, when your name is a lookalike for this kind of person, your visa may be denied.
What to do about it: It is quite an unfortunate reality, but not one you cannot rectify. With proper help from a reputable evisa Turkey site like this one, you should be able to get your own identity clarified.
- Your purpose of entry doesn’t qualify
Most people don’t understand the specificity of the Turkish e-visa. It’s not like a regular visa, which means it doesn’t serve every traveling purpose.
Technically speaking, the e-visa is only meant for those people traveling for tourism, short business trips, and transit. If you’re traveling to study, work, or stay for longer periods, you won’t qualify for an e-visa.
What to do about it: If your purpose of travel is not related to tourism, short business trips, or transit, apply for a regular visa instead.
- Your country doesn’t qualify
Many people, after hearing how easy it is to get a Turkish e-visa, rush to apply for it without first checking the requirements. In the end, they get denied and start complaining.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the Turkish e-visa is not for every country in the world. As of the time of writing, only citizens of 98 countries in the world are qualified to apply for it.
So, if you’re denied, it could be because you’re a citizen of a country that’s not qualified.
What to do about it: First, find out whether your country qualifies for the e-visa. If not, try other visa systems instead.
- Authorities believe you might overstay your visit
This is one of the most common reasons why people get rejected.
When the visa authorities suspect that you might not want to return to your country at the end of your stay, they deny you the visa.
Usually, the reason they have this kind of feeling is linked to:
- Your travel history. Maybe something in your credentials says you’ve overstayed your visit to a country before.
- Your country. Citizens of some countries have a tendency to overstay their visit abroad when they travel. If you belong to this kind of country, the visa authorities may believe you’ll behave like your countrymen and overstay your visit too.
- Your age. When your age doesn’t align with the purpose of your visit – for example, someone in their teens saying they’re going on a business trip – you might be denied an e-visa. The authorities might doubt your claims and reject your application as a result.
What to do about it: (1) Ensure you have a positive travel history. (2) If you’re from a country whose citizens have messed up in Turkey in the past, provide additional information about yourself that might assuage any fears the authorities have. (3) Ensure your age aligns with your purpose of visit.
- Your statement of purpose (SOP) is not convincing
The Turkish visa authority wants to be sure they’re granting visas to people who are responsible, accountable, and financially capable.
Failure to provide accurate information on your application regarding your finances, the purpose of your visit, the conditions of your stay, and other vital details might result in rejection.
In a nutshell, they want to grant visas to people who are financially capable of sustaining their visits. They don’t want you to get to Turkey and become a liability. So, your SOP has to provide information that will assure them you’re well capable.
- Your passport may be invalid
The final most common reason for e-visa rejection is passport invalidity. To be accepted for a Turkish e-visa, your passport must be one that remains valid for a minimum of six months after your intended visit to Turkey. Let’s say you’re applying for a one-month Turkish e-visa. You should have at least 7-9 months left on your passport.
What to do about it: Ensure your passport has an extended validity period: if possible, one (1) year. If it currently does, visit your country’s immigration office to renew.