Transit Visa on Arrival for Crew Change Operations in Turkish Ports – 2026
Crew change operations in Türkiye require careful planning, accurate documentation and close coordination with immigration, customs, port, airport and local authorities.
Depending on the nationality of the seafarer, a transit visa on arrival may be required when joining or leaving a vessel through a Turkish port or airport.
ID Shipping Agency provides complete crew change assistance for shipowners, ship managers, crewing companies and vessel operators at Turkish ports, shipyards and anchorage areas.
Our experienced operations team coordinates the entire process, including visa checks, airport reception, immigration formalities, transportation, hotel accommodation and vessel boarding arrangements.
Which Nationalities Require a Transit Visa on Arrival?
According to the applicable operational information for 2026, crew members holding passports issued by the following countries are required to obtain a transit visa upon arrival in Türkiye:
Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Taiwan, Tonga, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vanuatu.
Visa and immigration requirements may vary depending on:
- The seafarer’s nationality
- Passport type
- Airport of arrival
- Flight route
- Vessel’s port or anchorage position
- Joining or off-signing status
- Vessel schedule
- Instructions issued by the relevant Turkish authorities
For this reason, passport copies and flight details should be shared with the appointed local ship agent before flight tickets are finalised.
Documents Required for Crew Change in Türkiye
The required documentation may vary depending on whether the seafarer is joining or leaving the vessel.
In general, the following documents should be submitted before the operation:
- Clear colour copy of the passport
- Seaman’s book copy
- Flight ticket or confirmed flight itinerary
- Vessel crew list
- Vessel particulars
- Vessel’s updated ETA and ETD
- Joining or off-signing crew declaration
- Employment or assignment letter, when requested
- Letter of guarantee, when required
- OK to Board documentation, when applicable
- Vessel’s port, shipyard or anchorage details
- Contact telephone number of the joining or off-signing crew member
Off-Signing Crew Services in Türkiye
For crew members leaving the vessel, ID Shipping Agency coordinates disembarkation, immigration clearance, transportation, hotel accommodation and airport transfer procedures.
Our off-signing crew support includes:
- Port and immigration permissions
- Customs formalities
- Disembarkation arrangements
- Launch boat service when required
- Transfer from the vessel to the hotel or airport
- Hotel reservations
- Flight schedule coordination
- Airport assistance
- Medical attendance when required
- Assistance during flight cancellations or schedule changes
The vessel’s latest ETA, ETD, berthing position or anchorage position should be shared with our operations team to ensure accurate planning.
