1. 

Jurisdiction

The provinces of Aydin, Balikesir, Bursa, Çanakkale, Denizli, Edirne, Istanbul, Kirklareli, Kocaeli, Manisa, Mugla, Sakarya, Tekirdag and Yalova are currently under the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, Istanbul. All applicants from these provinces who wish to seek visa and consular services are advised to deposit/submit their applications in the Consulate General of India, Istanbul. Consulate General of India in Istanbul has not authorised any other agency to accept applications on its behalf. 

2. 

Fake Visa Websites

All visa applicants intending to travel to India are alerted that fake visa websites such as www.e-touristvisaindia.com, www.indianvisaonline.org.in, www.e-visaindia.com , etc. are operating with the intention of cheating Indian visa seekers by giving erroneous information and misguiding applicants resulting in wastage of time and in many cases financial loss. In order to mislead applicants, some of these websites have created images and home page templates mimicking the official Government of India website.

Safety: 

Indian nationals visiting Türkiye may avoid travelling to places bordering Syria, Iraq and Iran.

Indian nationals visiting Türkiye, particularly Istanbul are advised to take care of their belongings, in particular handbags, passports and travel documents, especially in crowded public areas like airports / bus stops, shopping malls and places of tourist interest.

Indian tourists are advised not to fall into the trap of an ongoing overcharging scam where a stranger approaches Indian tourists to take him/her to a “famous” bar/cafe of Istanbul.

Indian nationals transiting through Istanbul/Türkiye

Indian nationals may please note that a valid visa for Türkiye is required for transfer between Ataturk Airport, Istanbul and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Istanbul during transit at Istanbul. Without a valid Turkish visa, travel from one airport to the other airport within Istanbul is not permitted.

In addition, those who intend to travel by Turkish Airlines with a transit connection at Istanbul are advised to carefully check their visas for travel to the destination Country and ensure that they are valid in all respects before starting their journey.

Please note that double/multiple entry Schengen visa is required if you are transiting through Istanbul/Türkiye while traveling between destinations in the Schengen zone. Kindly also check with the airlines before your travel.

Indian nationals visiting Istanbul on Turkish e-Visa

There have been instances of Indian nationals, who after arriving at Ataturk airport in Istanbul, have been denied entry by Turkish authorities and sent back by the next flight on the grounds that they did not fulfill the criteria for grant of an e-Visa for entry into Türkiye.

Indian nationals who intend to visit Istanbul on the basis of a Turkish e-Visa are advised to carefully read and comply with the prerequisites and must ensure that they meet the criteria for obtaining an e-Visa for Türkiye. One of the pre-requisites is that one should hold a valid supporting document. The prescribed supporting document can either be a valid visa from one of the Schengen Countries, USA, UK or Ireland; or a valid residence permit of one of the Schengen Countries, USA, UK or Ireland. The supporting documents should be valid as on the date of entry into Türkiye. Please note that e-Visas are not accepted as a supporting document.

The Turkish diplomatic Mission/Posts in India may be consulted if required, in regard to Turkish visas. It may be kept in mind that persons who are denied entry have to stay within the confines of the designated holding area at the airport till the next available flight back and are not allowed access to the airlines lounge or a hotel in the city or at the airport.

It has been noticed that Indian nationals have been receiving fake employment offers, allegedly from Turkish companies. The offers ask applicants to deposit money for processing Turkish residence / work permits.  The companies are also sending fake travel documents to Indian nationals. Indian nationals receiving such offers may kindly check the credentials of the concerned companies before accepting the offer.  

If an Indian national receives such a call, he/she is requested to immediately inform the police authorities and the Embassy/Consulate at cons.ankara@mea.gov.in / cons.istanbul@mea.gov.in 
with all the relevant details.

Seafarers are advised to check the ITF website about any blacklisting or warning issued against their employer or ship.