Every day, thousands of travelers depart from Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), heading for the skyscrapers of Dubai. But for Turkish citizens, the excitement of a Dubai trip is often clouded by one confusing question: “Do I need a visa, or does my passport grant me visa-free entry?”
In 2026, the answer depends entirely on the color of your passport.
At Visago.ae, we process thousands of applications for Turkish nationals every month. We know that while holders of Special (Green) passports breeze through immigration, the millions of Turkish citizens with Ordinary (Burgundy) passports need a pre-approved Dubai visa from Turkey before they can even print their boarding pass.
This guide is your complete handbook for the Turkey-UAE travel corridor, covering fees, flight paths from Istanbul and Ankara, and how to get your visa approved in as little as 12 hours.

Dubai Visa from Turkey
Unlike traveling to the Balkans or Visa-Free Asian countries, the UAE has strict distinctions for Turkish citizens.
If you hold the standard Umuma Mahsus Pasaport (Burgundy), you MUST obtain a visa before you travel.
No Visa on Arrival: You cannot get a visa at Dubai International Airport (DXB). If you arrive without one, you will be sent back to Turkey on the next flight.
The Solution: You need an Electronic Visa (e-Visa). This is a PDF document sent to your email/WhatsApp. You do not need to visit the UAE Consulate in Levent (Istanbul) or the Embassy in Ankara.
If you are a civil servant, a lawyer of a certain seniority, or a veteran exporter holding a Hususi (Green) or Hizmet (Gray) passport, you are exempt.
The Rule: You can enter the UAE for up to 90 days without a visa. You simply show your passport at the immigration counter in Dubai.
Warning: Ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining. Even green passport holders are turned away if their document is expiring soon.
Because the Turkish Lira (TRY) fluctuates, many agencies in Istanbul charge high “safety margins,” making you pay more than necessary. At Visago.ae, we peg our prices to the standard UAE government fees.
Here is what you should expect to pay in 2026:
| Visa Type | Duration | Processing | Price (AED) | Approx (TRY)* | Best For |
| 30-Day Tourist | 30 Days | 24-48 Hours | 490 AED | ~5,830 TL | Shopping/Holiday |
| 60-Day Tourist | 60 Days | 24-48 Hours | 750 AED | ~8,950 TL | Family Visits |
| 30-Day Express | 30 Days | 12 Hours | 590 AED | ~7,000 TL | Urgent Business |
| 60-Day Multi-Entry | 60 Days | 48 Hours | 1,050 AED | ~12,500 TL | Regional Sales |
Note on Payment: You can pay directly on Visago.ae using any Turkish credit card (Mastercard/Visa) or Troy card enabled for international use. Your bank handles the Lira-to-Dirham conversion automatically at the daily rate.
Your visa strategy should match your flight choice. The Turkey-Dubai route is serviced by three major airlines, each with different “Visa Checks.”
Flights: TK762, TK760 (Multiple daily).
The Check: THY ground staff at the check-in counters (Counters D/E usually) are very strict. They will ask to see your PDF visa on your phone before they accept your luggage.
Business Travelers: Many executives fly the morning TK762. If you decide to travel last minute, our 12-Hour Express Service can get your visa issued overnight so you are ready for the morning flight.
Flights: PC740, PC742.
The “Budget” Route: Popular with tourists and students. Because Pegasus flies into DXB Terminal 1 or 2 (and sometimes Sharjah), ensure your visa is valid for “All UAE Airports” (All Visago visas are valid for all airports).
Warning: The queue at Sabiha Gökçen passport control can be long. Have your visa ready before you get to the airport to avoid delays at the check-in desk.
Emirates: Flies from IST.
FlyDubai: Often flies from SAW.
Note: If you are booking a package with Emirates, they might offer a visa service, but it often takes 3-4 days. If you need it faster, applying independently via Visago is often quicker (24 hours).
We have simplified the process to match the speed of Turkish banking apps.
You do not need biometric photos from a studio.
Passport: Scan the main page of your Burgundy passport. Ensure the “Validity Date” is at least 6 months out.
Passport external cover scanned copy
Return flight ticket (we offer temporary ticket for visa purposes with extra 50 AED
Photo: Take a selfie against a white wall. No glasses. Shoulders and face clear.
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Select “Turkey” as your nationality.
Crucial: Enter your name exactly as it appears in the bottom strip of your passport (e.g., ÖZTÜRK must be written as OZTURK if the machine-readable zone says so).
Once approved (usually next-day), you get the PDF through email and WhatsApp
Print it? We recommend printing 1 copy. Turkish border police at IST/SAW sometimes ask to see a physical paper to confirm you have a visa before letting you exit Turkey.
Turkish applicants have a high approval rate (over 98%), but rejections usually happen for two reasons:
Turkish names often have characters like Ş, Ğ, Ü, Ö, Ç, İ.
The Rule: When filling out the form, use the English equivalents found in the MRZ code (the two lines of code at the bottom of your passport page).
Ş → S
Ğ → G
Ö → O
Ç → C
If you type “Şahin” but the system expects “Sahin,” it might cause a delay or manual review.
Did you apply for a Dubai visa 2 years ago but never traveled? Or did you have an old residency visa?
The Issue: Old “Active” files block new visas.
The Fix: Visago checks this for you. If we see an old file blocking you, we can advise on how to clear it.
Currency: You cannot spend Turkish Lira in Dubai. Bring USD or EUR to exchange, or use your Turkish debit card (make sure it’s open for international transactions).
Roaming: Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom have expensive roaming packages in UAE (Zone 3 or 4). It is cheaper to buy a Tourist SIM (Du or Etisalat) at Dubai Airport upon arrival.
The “Dubai” vs. “Abu Dhabi” Question: Can you land in Abu Dhabi with this visa? Yes. A visa issued by Visago is a UAE Visa. You can land in Abu Dhabi (with Wizz Air or Etihad), take a bus to Dubai, or visit friends in Sharjah. It covers all 7 Emirates.
Generally, no. Your passport is enough. However, if you are a male under 21 traveling alone, we may ask for a copy of your student ID or a parent’s passport copy to strengthen the application against security profiling.
No. This is a Tourism/Visit Visa. If you find a job in Dubai (which many Turks do!), your company must sponsor a specialized “Employment Visa.” You will likely need to do a “Status Change” inside the country, which Visago can advise on.
Don’t let bureaucracy delay your flight from Istanbul. Whether you are coming for the shopping festival, a business expo, or a family holiday, Visago.ae is your bridge to the UAE.
[Apply for your Dubai Visa from Turkey Now] Get approved in 24 hours. No Consulate visits. 100% Online.
Visiting Dubai Derma this year, check out Dubai Derma Visa guide