Travelling to Turkey? Don’t be caught out by the new visa system says Trading Standards

7th April 2014

The Highland Council’s Trading Standards Officers are warning sun-lovers bound for Turkey not to be caught out by a new visa system which requires for a visa to be applied for before travel.

Britons have always been issued with a visa stamp in their passports on arrival for a £10 fee, but this will begin to come to an end from 11 April 2014, meaning visitors will have to apply online for an electronic visa (e-Visa) before travel.

Trading Standards are advising Highland holidaymakers to be wary of unauthorised websites which try to charge for providing information about e-Visas and submitting applications. The call comes after one Inverness woman was stung for £55 when she applied for an e-Visa from an unofficial website. These websites are not endorsed nor affiliated with the Turkish government.

Gordon Robb, Highland Council Trading Standards Manager said: “The websites look official but somewhere on the homepage there will be information to the effect that they provide a ‘fast track’ or checking services for an extra fee on top of a ‘small service charge’ or ‘application processing fee’. Charges for processing applications vary from website to website.”

Prospective travellers are advised to use the official Turkish government website (www.evisa.gov.tr) which will only charge a flat fee of $20 for a 90-day, multi-entry visa. Cruise ship passengers with ‘British Citizen’ passports entering the country for a day trip, remaining in the port of embarkation and returning to the ship the same day will continue to be able to enter Turkey without a visa or e-Visa.

Gordon added: “While it isn’t unlawful for a business to charge for a reviewing and forwarding service, tricking consumers into spending on unwanted services is. If a consumer thinks they have been duped into sending off a fee for an e-Visa they should report this matter to us.”

The new e-Visa will cost 20 USD ($20) (converted into GBP according to the foreign exchange rate), and emailed to travellers for them to print out at home after providing their name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, email address and passport details. They will then be required to present the entry document to border control on arrival in Turkey. Once in the country travellers should keep their e-Visa and passport safe, ideally in a locked safe.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a “transitional period”, during which visas may continue to be bought upon arrival at Turkish airports, after the 11 April deadline. The transition period, whereby you can still obtain a visa at the point of entry into Turkey, will continue until sometime after the main 2014 tourist season.

However advice remains that it’s better to buy an e-Visa online before travel. It’s quick and easy to apply online and in comparison with the £20 that will be charged at the airport from 11 April, an e-Visa costs 20 USD ($20) which when converted into GBP works out significantly cheaper.

Consumers can contact Highland Council’s Trading Standards directly either in person or in writing at: The Highland Council Trading Standards, Development & Infrastructure Service, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UF or speak to an advisor on 08454 04 05 06.

For further Highland Council Trading Standards news, please visit https://tinyurl.com/highlandtradingstandardsnews

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

16/7/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Small Grants Programme Reopens with Expanded Support for Community Organisations

The Highland Local Action Group (LAG) is re-opening the Highland Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) Small Grants Programme following a review of the remaining funding.   Community and voluntary organisations across rural Highland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £10,000.  

14/7/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do you want a say in the future development of Highland?

Share your ideas and help shape the places, spaces and communities of tomorrow.   The Highland Council is inviting people to share their ideas relating to the development or long-term land use in Highland.  

8/7/2026 : Local Authority

Traffic restrictions for Belladrum Festival 2026

Motorists are being advised of a series of temporary road closures, speed limits and traffic restrictions that will be in place to support the safe running of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2026.   The Highland Council has introduced a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to manage traffic and reduce disruption in the area around Kiltarlity and Belladrum during the event period.  

2/7/2026 : Local Authority

A New Pay Deal For England's Teachers But Scottish Teach Are Still Better Paid But Councils Are Landed With The Problem

teachers in Scotland are generally still paid more than teachers in England, although the gap varies depending on experience and location.   The UK Government has announced a two-year pay deal for teachers in England: 3.5% from September 2026 3.0% from September 2027 This is a cumulative increase of around 6.6% over two years.  

26/6/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agree next steps for Visitor Levy scheme

The Highland Council has agreed to continue working with the tourism industry to co-design a draft Visitor Levy scheme for the Highlands.   It follows the Council securing greater flexibility from The Scottish Government on how a Visitor Levy could be applied and administered, after feedback from accommodation providers and industry groups across the Highlands about a percentage-based charge.  

26/6/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Wealth Fund to create lasting legacy from renewable energy development

The Highland Council has agreed plans to establish a Highland Wealth Fund to create a lasting legacy from renewable energy development and support long-term benefits for communities across the region.   Inspired by the principles of the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, the new partnership-led fund will support strategic, regional, area and local priority projects, helping to ensure that the opportunities created by the energy transition deliver lasting value for current and future generations.  

25/6/2026 : Local Authority

Apply For Education Maintenance Allowance If you are 16 to 19 years old

If you are 16 to 19 years old, at school or college, and come from a low-income household you may be able to get financial help from an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).   EMA is a weekly allowance of £30 per week, paid during term time.  

22/6/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council launches new platform to improve online engagement

The Highland Council has today (Monday 22 June) launched a new online engagement platform which will transform how residents, communities and visitors engage with consultations.   The easy-to-use platform allows anyone to quickly see what projects and proposals are open for consultation and engagement.  

22/6/2026 : Local Authority

A Tale of Two Schools - Is Thurso Next? As Moray Council Shelves £100million school plan for Buckie

When Moray Council officially shelved plans for a new Buckie High School, it sent a shockwave through communities across the north of Scotland.  The message was clear: in the current economic climate, even the most desperate promises of new school builds can vanish overnight when balanced against a massive budget deficit.  

19/6/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland creatives help shape UK City of Culture 2029 bid

Cultural artists and creators from across the Highlands have gathered at Strathpeffer Pavilion to share their ideas and ambitions for the Inverness-Highland bid for UK City of Culture 2029.   The bid, which is being taken forward under the name Beò 2029 the Gaelic word for living brought together around 80 creative practitioners from across the region for a cultural conversation exploring what culture means in the Highlands, what stories the region wants to tell, and the legacy for the future.