Turkish visas currently use misleading language

On the whole, the Istanbul airport is a pretty nice experience when arriving (and a touch boring when departing, though I’ve seen worse).

Today’s arrival was a bit of a headache, though. I passed though Istanbul in June going to and from Venice, and stayed a couple of days each time. Here’s what the visa says:

“Multiple entry visa valid for an intended stay of no more than 90 days per period 180 days. Duration begins on the date of entry to Turkey. Holder has no right to work.”

To me, this language seems fairly easy to interpret. The visa allows multiple entry, and is good for 180 days from the time of first entry, but you cannot be in Turkey for more than 90 days total during that 180-day period.

Any other possible interpretations? I don’t see how. The language seems pretty clear.

So, having entered and purchased this visa on June 1, I figured it was good through late November/early December, and I just went and stood in line for the usual half hour without buying a new visa.

I was refused entry. The pass control guy just kept shaking his head at me and saying 90 days. I trusted the words on the visa more than this guy, but knew I wasn’t going to win an argument with him, and just went over to the visa line as he said.

And it turns out, he was right, and the language on the visa was wrong (assuming you agree with my interpretation, but I really don’t see any other alternative here). The rule is 90 days for most countries; for some it’s 30 days, but for U.S. citizens and most others it’s 90.

It wasn’t such a huge deal. The visas are only $20 anyway, and the time wasted was maybe 15 or 20 minutes, because they let me go back to the front of the line instead of starting all over again.