Research Visas

If you are not a Turkish citizen and do not have a valid residence permit that covers the duration of the field season, a valid research visa needs to be stamped into your passport* in order to participate in Gygaia Projects work in Türkiye. Visa information for this year is now being delivered to requested embassies and consulates. Accordingly, please begin the process of applying for a research visa immediately (see below), and make an appointment to visit the consular section of the embassy or consulate you indicated on your “Travel and Emergency Information Form” as soon as possible thereafter (and at least two weeks before intended travel).

The research visa application process is under constant change, so please be aware that the directions below may not be exact and that you will have to use your best judgment about how to proceed in each step. The process should include at least two primary steps, each of which will require patience:

1. Complete an online application via ‘s e-Consulate system, the final step of which includes making an appointment to visit your embassy/consulate of choice.
   1. NOTE: In recent years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised that Google Chrome was the only browser that would work properly for all steps of this process.
2. Visit the embassy/consulate in person at your appointment time to apply for / get your visa.

Before beginning Step 1 (the online application), have the following things ready so that you can upload them when prompted to do so:

• Biometric Photo: a digitized (scanned) version of a biometric (passport-style) photo
• Visa Application Form: please download and fill out the form found here (Note: if the e-Consulate advises to use a different form, follow that advice instead)
• Documents issued by the authority performing the excavation: (A link for these documents will be shared as soon as the excavation permit and official team list has been issued each year.)

Step 1. Online Application System & Appointment Scheduling #

NOTE: In recent years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised that Google Chrome was the only browser that would work properly for all steps of this process.

1. Initiate your application online via Türkiye’s e-Consulate website.
2. Select your preferred language, country, and embassy/consulate.
3. Under the “Make Appointment” dropdown menu, select “Visa Pre-Application for Foreign Citizens.”
4. Fill out the form that opens with information pertinent to you individually, and
   1. for Visa Type, select “Other Visas”;
   2. for Purpose of Trip, select “Archaeological Excavation, Exploration Purpose”; and
   3. for Number of Entries Requested, select “Single Entry” unless you know you will need multiple entries.
   4. for “To be applied to”, fill out your preferred country and embassy/consulate again. 
5. After entering in all data, read and check the box(es) concerning terms and conditions and the click “Save and Proceed,” ensuring that you have all required items ready to be uploaded in digital form.
   1. In the window that opens, check the box for “I agree with the statements above”, and 
6. Fill out the form that opens with information pertinent to you individually, and
   1. for Occupation, select “Education and Training”, “Researcher/Scientist”, or “Student/Trainee” as appropriate to you.
   2. Proceed with the Security Code Verification (if present) and hit Save and Proceed. 
7. Check your e-mail for the Reference Code that should have just been sent to the email you entered in the previous page. Enter the code into the form that opens, and click Next.
8. Fill out the form that opens with information pertinent to you individually and then click Save and Proceed.
9. Fill out the travel information form that opens with information pertinent to you individually and then click Save and Proceed.
   1. For your address where you will be staying in Türkiye (in the “Details of your travel” section), please use the following:
      1. Address: Kaymakçı Arkeoloji Projesi, Hacıveliler Mh., Hacıveliler Sk. No:101, Gölmarmara
      2. City: Manisa
      3. Telephone: +90-531-273-7403
   2. For the question, “Do you have travel and/or health insurance valid throughout your visit to Türkiye?”, select “Yes” (and provide the end date of your existing travel insurance).
   3. For the question, “Who will cover your travel expenses and/or living costs during your stay in Türkiye?”, select “Myself” (whether or not Gygaia Projects is paying some part of your costs). 
10. After entering in all data, click Save and Proceed, and upload the three required items that you have previously assembled:
    1. Biometric Photo
    2. Application Form
    3. Documents issued by the authority performing the excavation
    4. Click Save My Documents and Check Application. 
11. Review your application and click “Proceed” if all looks correct.
12. Select “Download Application Form” (the small disk icon in the lower right), select “Submit,” and then follow the directions for making an appointment (Note: you may have to make an appointment before selecting “Submit”. Also, remember to use Google Chrome).
13. Select your requested date from the online calendar and confirm your appointment.
14. Review the confirmation of your appointment and the submission of your application, and you should be done with the online step of the process.

Step 2. In-Person Appointment #

1. When you visit the embassy/consulate in person for your appointment, you will need to bring the following things:
   1. Visa Application Form (available at link above)
   2. Biometric Photo
   3. Application Form (which you downloaded from the online application system after completing your application)
   4. Documents issued by the authority performing the excavation (will be available at link above after the excavation permit has been issued.)
   5. Your valid passport*
   6. Proof of health insurance with international coverage**
   7. Cash to cover the cost of the visa at your preferred consulate and associated currency (or a money order made out to “Turkish Embassy, Consular Section”).
2. At the consular desk, you may have to sign a form (probably in Turkish) indicating that you have received a copy of a document they will give you. Make every effort to understand what it is; if it is similar to the process of previous years, it may be a partial copy of the permit itself, specifically noting the restrictions on what the project is and is not allowed to do in Türkiye.
3. The consular staff will tell you when to return to pick up your passport and visa; it might be the same day, it might be a week later. Unfortunately, the time of visa production changes from consulate to consulate and each participant will have to be in touch directly with their consulate of choice to ensure enough time for production and retrieval.

Once you have your research visa, you are set to enter Türkiye! If you previously held a residence permit in Türkiye with our project or elsewhere, please make sure to bring with you the ikamet booklet or card, even if you will not need to get a residence permit for work on our project. These are expensive little booklets and cards, so it is worth the effort to find and bring previous ones.

*Please note that your passport must have an expiration date at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay” of your visa, e-Visa, visa exemption, or residence permit.

**Please note that proof of health insurance with international coverage has recently been added to the list of required documents for receipt of a research visa. The health insurance in question can be your regular health insurance (e.g., BlueCross BlueShield, Allianz), assuming it has some provision of international coverage, yet international coverage like that provided by HTH Worldwide is a safer bet. If your regular health insurance does not have some provision of international coverage, then proof of your emergency travel and evacuation assistance insurance can be provided. In either case, we are led to understand that a copy of your insurance card should suffice.