The Turkish government has announced that just nine African countries are included in its electronic visa (eVisa) programme for 2026.
This means citizens of most African nations remain ineligible for the simplified online visa application system.
Nine African countries eligible for Turkey’s eVisa
Information published on the official Turkish eVisa portal shows that citizens of the following nine African countries are eligible to apply for a Turkey eVisa:
- Algeria.
- Cape Verde.
- Egypt.
- Equatorial Guinea.
- Libya.
- Mauritius.
- Namibia.
- Senegal.
- South Africa.
Nationals of every other African country are not included on the eligibility list and must instead obtain a Turkish visa through other available application procedures.
The eVisa platform enables eligible travellers to complete the entire visa application online, eliminating the need to visit a Turkish embassy or consulate in person.
However, applicants from the eligible countries are still required to meet certain conditions, with the specific requirements differing based on both their country of travel and the type of travel document they possess.
How the Turkey eVisa system operates
According to the Turkish government, being from an eligible country does not automatically result in visa approval.
Travellers intending to apply are instructed to access the main eVisa application portal, where they must choose their country of travel and indicate their travel document type to confirm their eligibility and identify any supporting documents or conditions applicable to their circumstances.
The Turkish eVisa is primarily intended for tourism and other short-term visits. For those who qualify, the system offers a more convenient way to secure travel authorisation by simplifying the application process and reducing the paperwork and administrative procedures typically involved in obtaining a Turkish visa.
For travellers from African countries that are not included in the programme, securing a Turkish visa requires applying through a Turkish diplomatic mission, a process that generally involves more documentation and takes longer to complete.
