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For many students, the procedures at the airport when entering Turkey on a student visa can be exciting but a bit stressful.
First Steps When You Arrive at the Airport
When you get off the plane, you’ll be excited and a little tired as you follow the signs to the passport control area. Turkey’s major airports (e.g. Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen) usually have signs in English, but sometimes you may get confused because of the crowds. So stay calm and follow the signs carefully.
When I first arrived, I panicked for fear of losing my luggage; I had to try to look for it before passport control and then turn back. Don’t do what I did; go to passport control first, then go to baggage claim!
Landing Card or Entry Form
In some countries, passengers fill out a boarding pass on the plane, but in Turkey this practice is generally not practiced. However, during pandemic periods or in some special cases, flight attendants may distribute landing cards or health forms. If you are given such a form, be sure to fill it out on the plane and keep it with you. If the passport officer asks, you can show it immediately.
Know Your Route
When you come to Turkey as a student, it is very important that you know clearly in which city and at which university you will study. The police at passport control can sometimes ask you simple questions:
- “Which city will you study in?”
- “Which university do you go to?”
- “Where will you stay?”
Giving clear and confident answers to these questions will help the entry process go smoothly. Have your passport, student visa and university acceptance certificate ready for when the line moves forward. Keep these documents in your hand luggage, because you may not be able to reach your suitcase when you get off the plane.
Also remember that in big cities like Istanbul, the passport queue can sometimes be very long. So be patient and make sure you are in the right line by following the signs or officials around you.
What Happens at a Visa Checkpoint
When you arrive at passport control, visa officers will examine your student visa and may ask to see your student documents (university acceptance certificate, student certificate, etc.). Sometimes they send the stamp without asking anything, sometimes they may ask additional questions:
- “Where will you stay?”
- “Which university are you enrolled in?”
- “How much money do you have?”
It is very important that you answer these questions clearly and confidently. For more information on this stage, check out Turkey Visa Interviews: Preparation and Tips.
Passport and Document Controls
When checking the student visa, the visa officer will make sure that you have a valid visa sticker (or visa exemption record) in your passport. Also, sometimes they may ask to see student or financial documents.
These documents may include:
| Document Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Student Acceptance Document | Official letter of acceptance from the university |
| Sufficient Finance Document | Bank statement or sponsor’s certificate |
| Housing Document | Hostel or rental house contract |
Be sure to take these documents with you and keep them in your hand luggage. Because searching at the baggage carousel or at customs can be very stressful.
Baggage and Customs Transactions
After passport control, you will go to the baggage carousel to collect your luggage. Sometimes it can get busy at the baggage carousel, be patient. After you pick up your luggage, customs checks are carried out. If you don’t have anything you need to declare on your person (e.g. large amounts of cash, electronics, medicines, etc.), you can quickly pass through the so-called “Green Line”.
If you have something to declare (e.g. large amounts of money or medicines), you need to inform the officer using the “Red Line”. For many students coming to Turkey for the first time, this process usually goes smoothly, but you should be careful.
First Days with Student Visa
In the first few days, I recommend doing the following:
- Buying a Phone Line: Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom are among the most popular operators in Turkey. There are also special packages for students.
- Organizing Accommodation: Sign up for a dormitory or rented accommodation. Most students prefer to stay in the dormitory for the first few days and then go home.
- University Registration and Residence Permit Application: After the airport procedures, you should go to your university and register immediately. You also have to apply to the Migration Administration within 30 days to get a residence permit.
Complete these steps and you can quickly adapt to student life. It may seem a bit complicated at first, but after a few days everything falls into place.
Bypass the Airport Process Smoothly: Start Your Education in Turkey
When entering Turkey with a student visa, it is a great advantage to know the procedures at the airport. Being prepared for steps such as passport control, document checks and customs procedures saves time and minimizes potential problems.
To enjoy the excitement of being a student in Turkey, it is very important to successfully complete the first steps at the airport. In this article, I explain what to expect when you enter with a student visa.
Now is the time: Set off for an unforgettable experience and step into a life of education in Turkey!