Learn the step-by-step process for obtaining a visa invitation letter for Turkey, including notary requirements and essential documents for your application.
What is a Turkish Visa Invitation Letter?
A Turkish visa invitation letter is a formal paper from someone in Turkey to a foreign guest. It tells the consulate that you have a place to stay and someone to help you. In Turkey, people call this a "Letter of Undertaking" or Taahhütname. It doesn't guarantee a visa, but it makes your case much stronger. You'll find it very helpful for family or business visits.
If you need a closer look here, see Understanding the Turkiye e-Visa System.
If you need a closer look here, see The Role of a Festival Invitation Letter in Visa Applications.
Who Can Send an Invitation Letter?
Only certain people or groups in Turkey can send one. Here is who can help you:
- Turkish Citizens: Local citizens with a valid ID can visit a notary to invite you.
- Foreign Residents: Foreigners living in Turkey with a valid residence permit can also help.
- Turkish Companies: Companies must use their official tax plate (Vergi Levhası) for business trips.
How to Get a Turkish Visa Invitation Letter
Getting your Turkish visa invitation letter is simple if you follow the legal steps. Here is what your host needs to do:
Step 1: Visit a Notary Public
The person in Turkey must go to a Notary Public (Noter). They can't just write a note at home. It has to be a legal document with an official stamp.
Step 2: Provide Invitee Information
Send them your specific details before they go to the notary. They need your full name from your passport and your passport number. They also need your birth date, nationality, and why you're visiting. Don't forget to include your travel dates.
Step 3: Sign the Undertaking
Hosts sign a paper promising to provide food and a place to sleep. They also promise you'll leave Turkey before your visa ends. If a company invites you, they must show their tax plate and signature papers.
Step 4: Send the Original Document
After the notary stamps it, your host must mail the physical paper to you. Consulates usually want the original document with the "wet seal." A scan or photo often isn't enough. So, make sure you get the original copy by mail.
Required Details in the Invitation Letter
Your letter must be clear to avoid any issues. It needs the host's ID or residence permit number. It also needs their full address and phone number. Your host must explain how they know you. Are you a friend, a cousin, or a business partner? Finally, they must state they will cover your costs if you can't.
Does an Invitation Letter Guarantee a Visa?
No, it doesn't guarantee a visa. It's just a supporting document. The Consulate still checks your money, your record, and your ties to home. But having this notarized paper helps a lot. It shows you have a real reason to visit and a place to stay.
Business vs. Personal Invitations
Business letters are a bit different. A company must write them on their official letterhead. They have to include their tax details. For a personal visit, a simple notarized letter from a friend is all you need. Getting a Turkish visa invitation letter is a smart move for any traveler.
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About Hamit Ekşi
Expert real estate consultant specializing in Turkish Citizenship by Investment programs. Helping international investors find their dream properties in Turkey.
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