This Beautiful Country Near Europe Just Dropped Its Visa Requirement For Americans

Türkiye, a country already known for its warm hospitality, just got even more welcoming to travelers. As of January 2024, American citizens will no longer be required to apply for an e-visa before entry, bringing you ever closer to plates of scrumptious baklava, a ride in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, and a tour of the stunning blue mosque in Istanbul.

In 2023, 16 million visitors arrived in Türkiye, a 9% increase from the previous year. Evidently, Americans love it there, as they represent the fourth-largest group of travelers to the country, according to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. But visitors from the states aren't the only ones to benefit from this latest change. Türkiye's president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, signed a decree waiving the e-visa requirement for residents of Canada, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia as well. 

Though some red tape has been removed, there are still a few requirements that travelers should know. For starters, your passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended date of arrival. In other words, if you're planning a two-week trip in April 2024, make sure your passport is valid through at least the end of October 2024.

You'll also need to have enough space in your passport for entry and exit stamps or you could be turned away at customs. The exit stamp helps to ensure that you will be allowed back in the country at a later date and avoid a fine. Once you're in, you're allowed to stay for 90 days within an 180-day period. If you plan to stay any longer than that, or you want to work or study abroad, you'll need to apply for a residence permit.

The latest update will also save you a little cash, as the visa used to cost $52. And although it neighbors Europe, Türkiye is not part of the European Union (EU), which means you won't have to worry about applying for Europe's upcoming ETIAS visa in 2025. With the latest news and so many amazing things to do in Türkiye, now's the perfect time to start planning your trip.