Exercise a high degree of caution in Türkiye due to the threat of terrorist attacks and the possibility of demonstrations throughout the country.
Avoid all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria, due to a deteriorating security situation.
Avoid non-essential travel to the following provinces due to the damages caused by the earthquakes:
Avoid non-essential travel to the following southeastern provinces due to an unpredictable security situation:
Safety and securityExtremist groups have carried out attacks at border crossings and other locations in Syria close to the Turkish border. The Turkish government has declared some areas in villages along the border with Syria special security zones as part of cross-border military operations. Expect a heightened military presence and movement restrictions in these areas.
The security situation remains unpredictable.
Terrorist groups have launched deadly terrorist attacks against Turkish security personnel in several cities and regions in the south and southeast of the country.
There is a risk, particularly to foreigners, of kidnapping in the area (see Kidnapping, below). Maintain a high level of vigilance at all times.
Avoid overland travel. If you must, drive during the day and stay on major roads. Don’t use public transportation.
Mount Ararat, between the eastern provinces of Agri and Igdir, is designated a special military zone. You must hire the services of a locally licensed guide agency if you intend to hike in the area. A licensed company will obtain the necessary permits and assign you a registered Mountaineer to accompany you throughout your hike.
If you intend on engaging in mountaineering or hiking:
Accurate information on mountain conditions can be difficult to obtain. Weather in mountainous areas can also be unpredictable.
Random ID checks and roadblocks may take place in large cities and on intercity roads.
Cooperate during ID checks and always carry your passport and visa or residence permit. Failure to produce these documents or non-compliance with Turkish officials during identity checks could result in fines, detainment or deportation.
Turkish authorities have detained and prosecuted large numbers of people over social media posts criticizing the government, state officials, president, military operations, etc. You could be subject to scrutiny if you posted similar comments, even if a post was published years ago or outside of Türkiye.
Following recent Quran-burning incidents in Europe, there is a threat of retaliatory attacks by terrorists in Türkiye. They could target places of worship, diplomatic missions and other places frequented by foreigners, especially in Istanbul and Ankara.
There is a threat of terrorism from domestic and international terrorist groups in Türkiye. Many attacks have occurred throughout the country. Although most have occurred in the south and east, some also took place in major cities.
Attacks have targeted:
Further attacks may occur, and terrorists may also target:
Turkish security officials may set up roadblocks or close streets when they receive reports on specific threats. It is common to have a proactive police presence.
There is a threat of kidnapping-for-ransom along Türkiye’s borders with Syria and Iraq. Extremist groups take advantage of porous borders and an unpredictable security situation to carry out operations and use kidnapping as a means of raising funds.
They may target the local population, foreigners and even foreign aid workers.
Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.
Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, can occur throughout Türkiye.
Muggings, assaults and sexual assaults occur.
Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery. Do not accept food and drinks from strangers, even if the wrapping or container appears intact.
Don’t go to down-market bars and neighbourhoods. One scam, particularly common in Istanbul, involves locals inviting tourists to bars for food and drinks and then forcing them to pay a steep bill.
Don’t accept letters, parcels or other items from strangers. Drug traffickers sometimes attempt to convince foreigners to deliver packages and messages into and out of Türkiye.
Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:
If you’re travelling to Türkiye to meet someone you’ve only met online, or the person in Türkiye asks to wire money, you may be the victim of a scam. Don’t send money to someone you have never met in person.
There is a risk of sexual assault.
Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Be aware of your surroundings.
Dress conservatively, especially in areas outside major cities and coastal resorts.
There are numerous stray dogs and cats in Türkiye. Dogs often travel in packs and could attack pedestrians and joggers.
Don’t attempt to feed or pet stray animals.
Türkiye has a modern road network. However, uneven surfaces and poorly marked lane changes near construction zones, are common.
Exercise caution, especially when driving in the rain. Severe weather conditions may seriously affect road conditions.
Ensure that your vehicle is in good repair. Avoid driving after dark outside of major cities or major roads.
Accidents are common. You may face the following hazards when driving in the country:
If you come across an accident, don’t slow down or stop to observe.
If you are involved in an accident, lock your doors and windows and call 112 to notify the police.
Don’t move your vehicle until advised to do so by the police even if your accident results in:
You may be permitted to move your vehicle after communicating with the police if you are on a busy road, once you have taken pictures of the scene.
Although pedestrians officially have the right of way, it may not be the case in practice.
General Directorate of Highways
We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.
Entry and exit requirements
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.
We have obtained the information on this page from Turkish authorities. It can, however, change at any time.
Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.
Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of stay indicated on your visa, e-Visa, visa exemption or residence permit.
Different entry rules may apply.
While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Work visa: required
Tourism visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required
If you are travelling to Türkiye for tourism or trade, use the official Turkish government site to apply online and purchase an e-visa prior to entering the country. Be cautious of third-party websites that offer help in getting an e-visa, as they charge additional fees to provide information and submit applications for you. They are not operating on behalf of the Government of Türkiye.
Canadians can also obtain a visa upon arrival in some international airports. If you plan to study or work in Türkiye, you must obtain a visa at a Turkish embassy or consulate before arriving in Türkiye.
To renew a 90-day visa, you must leave the country for at least 90 days before being allowed to re-enter. If you wish to remain in Türkiye for longer than 90 consecutive days, you must obtain a residence permit from the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the province in which you reside. When your e-visa expires, you are not allowed to apply for a new e-visa without departing from Türkiye. If you overstay your visa, you might be fined, deported or banned from future travel to Türkiye for a specific period of time.
Ensure Turkish immigration officials stamp your passport on arrival. Failure to produce a stamped passport is punishable by a fine, detention and deportation, and can lead to significant delays at departure.
Dual Turkish-Canadian citizens must present a valid Turkish passport or piece of identification to enter the country.
Learn more about travelling with children.
Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).
Health
This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.
Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.
Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.
Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.
You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary.
Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.
Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.
Risk
Country Entry Requirement*
Recommendation
* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.
Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver spread through contaminated food and water or contact with an infected person. All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get vaccinated.
Risk
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in some areas of this country.
It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or when you consume unpasteurized milk products.
Recommendation
Vaccination should be considered for those who may be exposed to ticks during outdoor activities.
A vaccine against TBE does exist but is only available in countries where the disease is present.
Learn more on what you can do to prevent tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
Rabies is a deadly illness spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from an infected animal. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure (e.g., are children, have an occupational risk, or in close contact with animals, including free roaming dogs in communities).
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air..
Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.
Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.
Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.
It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.
Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.
Seasonal influenza occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Get the flu shot.
Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.
Travellers’ diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
Risk of developing travellers’ diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.
The most important treatment for travellers’ diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.
Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.
Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.
Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:
To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.
Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that can cause fever, pain and bleeding under the skin. In some cases, it can be fatal. It spreads to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, or from the bite of an infected tick. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from tick bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock. There is no vaccine available for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.
Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may put you at higher risk of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.
Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.
Closely supervise children, as they’re more likely to come in contact with animals.
There have been human cases of avian influenza in this country.
Avian influenza is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds. In rare cases, it can infect people.
Protect yourself:
Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners.
Modern medical care is available in major cities but may not be in remote areas. Immediate cash payment is often required.
Foreigners with residency permits must register for universal health coverage under Turkish Social Security (SGK). Although Canadian citizens are exempt, you may enroll if you have no other coverage and you have been a resident in Türkiye for at least one year.
Universal Health Insurance – Türkiye’s social Security Institution
Medical tourism is common in Türkiye. Canadian travellers have had serious health complications following cosmetic or other elective surgeries abroad.
Before leaving for medical travel:
Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.
Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.
Laws and culture
You must abide by local laws.
Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.
Authorities may request to see your ID at any time.
The use of illegal drugs is prohibited. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines.
Don’t agree to carry any baggage that is not yours.
It is illegal to denigrate, desecrate or insult the following:
Although religious proselytism is not illegal, some activities may be considered illegal and could lead to detention.
Avoid discussions (including on social media) on historical and religious issues as well as on politics.
Turkish authorities have detained and prosecuted people over social media posts criticizing the government, state officials, president, military operations. You could be subject to scrutiny even if a post was published years ago or outside of Türkiye.
Authorities have also targeted people and groups for:
Even if a case does not go to trial or ends in acquittal, people can be labelled as terrorism suspects and face adverse consequences due to investigations and criminal proceedings, including possible loss of employment and social exclusion.
It is forbidden to photograph military or public installations. Avoid photographing public demonstrations or members of police or security forces. Cameras may be confiscated. Do not photograph people without their permission.
Turkish antiquities and other cultural artifacts that are considered of historical value or of national importance cannot be exported. Seek advice from Turkish authorities prior to departure from Türkiye. If the item can be exported, you will require a sales receipt and the official museum export certificate issued by the Turkish customs office.
Turkish law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely socially accepted.
Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Türkiye.
If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Türkiye, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you’re there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.
Travellers with dual citizenship
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Türkiye.
If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Türkiye, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Turkish court.
If you are in this situation:
If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.
Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.
You should carry an international driving permit.
Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in many parts of the country.
In all places of worship, women should cover their head with a scarf and all visitors should cover their arms and legs.
In 2023, the lunar month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around March 22.
In public, between sunrise and sunset, be discreet when :
The currency of Türkiye is the Turkish lira (TRY).
Natural disasters and climateOn February 20, 2023, an earthquake of 6.4 magnitude and an aftershock of 5.8 magnitude struck the Province of Hatay in southeastern Türkiye. There are initial reports of newly-damaged buildings and further casualties. This follows a series of earthquakes that struck in southeastern Türkiye on February 06, 2023, which caused significant damage to infrastructure and tens of thousands of casualties.
A state of emergency will be in place until May 7, 2023, in the 10 southern provinces affected by the earthquakes. The Hatay airport is temporarily closed. The Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep airports have suspended passenger flights. Travel to the affected areas is difficult and is limited to aid teams in certain areas.
Avoid non-essential travel to the provinces affected by the earthquake as our ability to provide consular assistance to Canadians in that area is severely limited. If you need assistance, call the Embassy of Canada in Ankara: 90 (312) 409-2700.
If you are in the affected area, you can expect:
Türkiye is located in an active seismic zone. Landslides are possible in affected areas, and strong aftershocks may occur after the initial earthquake.
Wildfires may occur, particularly during summer.
Air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.
In case of major fire:
Severe rainstorms occur in various regions around Türkiye, especially in the Black Sea region and coastal areas. Heavy rainfall can cause severe flooding and landslides, resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure and hampering the provision of essential services in the affected areas. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.
Droughts and snowstorms can also delay travel and disrupt essential services.
