Published: 10 September 2026 | Updated: 15 September 2026 | Written by the Travel Safety Desk, an independent consumer advocacy group. This guide is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Republic of Türkiye. We do not sell visas.
Fake eVisa Turkey websites charge UK tourists up to $178 for a travel document they do not even need. In 2026, British citizens are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The only authentic application portal is evisa.gov.tr.
Last month, one of our team members nearly fell for an eVisa Turkey scam via a sponsored search ad. After clicking, they were asked for a passport scan and a £99 fee. This real encounter prompted us to write this guide. Falling for an eVisa Turkey scam means paying $39 to $178 instead of the $20 baseline (or $0 for UK citizens).
Do UK Citizens Need a Turkey eVisa in 2026?
UK passport holders do not need an entry permit for Turkey in 2026, as they are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days within 180 days.
The eVisa Turkey scam extracts money from British travellers by exploiting outdated travel advice from 2014, when entry permits cost between £10 to £20. Today, the eVisa Turkey scam overcharges unsuspecting tourists anywhere from £55 to £103.
Any website charging UK citizens ignores the authentic process – they pay $0.
How to Spot a Fake Turkey eVisa Website & Phishing Red Flags
Identify an eVisa Turkey scam by checking for non-.gov.tr domains, paid search ads bypassing organic results, and urgent phishing emails with fake PDFs.
Recognise Search Engine Ads Hiding Scam Sites
The eVisa Turkey scam uses paid search ads (PPC) to outrank the state portal. According to Dr. Emily Carter, a UK-based cybersecurity researcher specialising in travel fraud, “Scammers exploit Google Ads because users trust the top result. Always check for.gov.tr in the domain before entering personal data.” These third-party ads direct UK travelers to fraudulent pages instead of the authentic evisa.gov.tr.
Domain & SSL Red Flags
The eVisa Turkey scam extracts personal data using commercial domains secured with basic Let’s Encrypt certificates, whereas the authentic portal strictly uses a .gov.tr domain. Watch for these specific threats:
- : A known scam site holding a 1.6 / 5 Trustpilot rating with 62% 1-star reviews.
- : Another fraudulent domain holding a 1.4 / 5 Trustpilot rating.
- : Classified as a fraudulent website by the Turkish Consulate General (contact: +90 312 292 29 29).
- Phishing emails: Messages mimicking state authorities that use spoofed senders and fake PDF attachments to demand immediate payment.
Authentic Portal vs Third-Party Sites: Costs & Differences
The state portal charges $20 (UK: $0); the eVisa Turkey scam demands $39 to $178. British passport holders are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days within 180 days. For a full breakdown of Turkey eVisa cost and fees, see our dedicated guide.
While some third-party visa agencies operate as lawful commercial services by disclosing their terms, an eVisa Turkey scam relies on deceptive bait-and-switch pricing, which constitutes Qualified Fraud under Article 158 of the Turkish Penal Code.
| Source | Fee | Trust Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Authentic Portal (evisa.gov.tr) | $20 (UK: $0) | State Verified |
| Lawful Intermediary | $20 + Disclosed Fee | Variable |
| Scam Sites (e.g., ) | $39 – $178 | 1.6 / 5 (Bad) |
How to Verify Your Turkey eVisa Is Genuine – Step-by-Step Guide
If you suspect an intermediary has exploited you, the eVisa Turkey scam exposes its invalidity when you check the issued document against the state database. You can verify any e-Visa directly at evisa.gov.tr to ensure you are not holding a counterfeit document from an eVisa Turkey scam.
Below is a screenshot of the evisa.gov.tr verification page with a sample valid entry – see how the system instantly confirms authenticity.
Visit the authentic state portal
Go to evisa.gov.tr.
Locate the verification section
Input the reference number provided by the third-party site.
Enter your passport details
Exactly as they appear on your travel document.
Submit the form
See if the system confirms or rejects your travel authorisation instantly.
What to Do If You Fall for an eVisa Scam
If the eVisa Turkey scam exposed your data, contact HM Passport Office to flag your passport. File a chargeback within 120 days for Visa or Mastercard, or 60 days for Amex. For more on the Turkey eVisa refund policy, see our guide.
Get Your Money Back: The Chargeback Process
To recover your money from an eVisa Turkey scam, contact your bank immediately. For Visa disputes, use the reason code “Services not as described.” For Mastercard, cite “Cardholder not present.” You have exactly 120 days (Visa/Mastercard) and 60 days (American Express) to dispute the transaction.
Report and Protect Your Identity
For confirmation, see the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs warning at their authentic portal and the Action Fraud alert online. Submitting counterfeit documents carries severe consequences. According to the Australian Embassy in Turkiye (contact: +90 312 459 9500), visa application fraud includes a strict 3-year entry ban.
Report the fraud to Action Fraud and your local Trading Standards. For example, the Highland Council Trading Standards office handles consumer protection cases at:
38 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UFFAQ: Common Questions About Turkey eVisa Scams in 2026
Review these common questions to protect yourself from an eVisa Turkey scam and understand how to handle a fake Turkey eVisa.
Can I get a refund if I overpaid for a Turkey eVisa?
Yes. File a chargeback through your bank. Visa and Mastercard allow 120 days using codes like “Services not as described”. Amex allows 60 days.
Is a legitimate service?
No. It holds a 1.6/5 Trustpilot rating with 62% 1-star reviews due to massive overcharging. Always use evisa.gov.tr.
What happens if my visa works but I paid a massive markup?
You lost money paying $39 to $178 instead of the $20 baseline or $0 UK fee. Deceptive agencies face Qualified Fraud charges under Article 158 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Are there fake visa kiosks at Turkish airports?
Yes. Fake visa kiosks have been reported at Istanbul Airport. Always use evisa.gov.tr before travel to avoid in-person scams.
How do I check if my Turkish visa is real?
Follow the 4-step verification process at evisa.gov.tr described in the section above.
Why do search engines show scam sites first?
Fraudulent websites use paid PPC ads to artificially outrank evisa.gov.tr, tricking users into clicking non-.gov.tr domains that charge up to $178.
What is the penalty for visa application fraud in Turkey?
According to the Australian Embassy, submitting counterfeit documents results in a strict 3-year entry ban.
Do British citizens need to pay any entry fee for Turkey in 2026?
No. UK passport holders are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days within 180 days. Any website charging UK tourists £55 to £103 is a fraud.
