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Turkey has lifted the visa requirement for North American travelers, allowing visitors from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to enter the country without obtaining E-visas.
The E-visa program, introduced in April 2013 by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, required travelers to purchase online visas, a process that took approximately three minutes. With this recent decision, visitors from these North American countries join a list of about 20 nations exempted from the visa requirement for visits to Turkey.
The U.S. State Department has updated its information to reflect this change, confirming that visas are no longer necessary for stays under 90 days. However, the State Department maintains a Level 2 warning for Turkey, advising travelers to "exercise increased caution" due to concerns related to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. The advisory highlights specific areas in the country with an increased risk, emphasizing the importance of reviewing State Department guidelines before planning a visit.
Turkey's tourism sector has faced challenges in recovering since the devastating earthquakes in February, which resulted in the loss of more than 50,000 lives. Despite the visa exemption, potential visitors are encouraged to stay informed about safety considerations and travel advisories.
