Turkey is one of those countries which most Americans dream of visiting at least once in their lifetime. And why would it not be? The mysterious architectural gems, ornately decorated mosques, the colorful market scene and let’s not even start on the lip-smacking Turkish cuisines. Turkey is a treat to all your senses in a real sense.

For all the ardent travelers out there, if you haven’t explored the exotic land of Turkey, now is the time to pack your bag and start the expedition.

Like for any other foreign country, you will need a Turkish visa to enter the Turkish land.

What passport requirements you will need to travel Turkey?

The Turkish government says that you should have a passport which is valid for at least a minimum of 6 months from the date you arrive in Turkey. If not, they are free to deny you entry to their country.

Your passport should have enough space for both the entry and the exit stamps, which are mandatory, without them, you would again be denied entry to Turkey.

Here are some visa tips for all the first timers out there who are all set to explore Turkey:

The best thing about traveling in this era is that you have the blessing of online visa. Americans have the luxury of e-visa for Turkey. All you got to do is go on the official Turkish visa website and provide all your details. You will get a basic permit which allows you to stay in Turkey for three months.

If you are planning to go turkey for study, work or permanently settling in the country, you will have to apply for a Turkish residence permit through a Turkish embassy, before you arrive at turkey. Keep in mind that if you are staying for more than 90 days within the period of 180 days in Turkey, you will have to apply for the residence permit.

What if during your trip to Turkey, you feel that you want to stay in Turkey for some more months? No worries. You can just log into the Turkish official visa site and have an online appointment to extend your trip for six more months.

Note that if you fail to fulfill any of the above visa requirements or have an outdated visa, the Turkish officials have the right to deny you entry, charge fine or worst shatter all your chances of ever visiting Turkey in future. Before leaving for Turkey, it is best to double check all the visa requirements, to ensure that you have a hassle-free and memorable stay in Turkey.