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Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

Does anyone have any experience of this situation? My work visa is being processed by the consulate in London but they aren't sure when it will be issued (could be more that a week or two). I've been told that it will be issued in London, I collect it from there and enter Turkey with the stamped work visa in my passport.

However, I'm being told by my employer that I can just come into the country on a tourist visa and that my work visa will be sorted out 'when we come to it.' Does this sound normal or will it mean more hassle in the future and the possibility of flying back to London to get it. Any advice / experience would be much appreciated.

Cheers

lucy k · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 82 Location: istanbul, turkey

To answer your questions:YES, this does sound normal, and YES it will probably mean more hassle later! I'm just basing this on my experience which was similar. My work visa wasn't ready by the time I needed to be in Turkey. So I came and worked on a tourist visa until my work visa was finished. When it was finally ready, I had to fly back to the States to pick it up in person! It seems like I've heard stories of people picking up visas in other (bordering) countries, but when I applied, it seemed there was no other option but to pick it up in Chicago. If yours is being processed in London, I think you'll have to go there to get it. However, working and living here on a tourist visa for a while shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck!

vre · Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Posts: 371

Mine was also late in the UK and I decided I was not going to come over until I had picked it up. I would insist on waiting. Your employers can wait a little while, surely! If you dont,
1 you'll have to go back for it anyway in person.
2 you'll have to hop borders all the time.

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

Thanks for the input, folks.

lucy k · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 82 Location: istanbul, turkey

My school said that they would arrange my work visa, but they never said that they would pay for it. So, unfortunately, I paid for the trip back to the States to pick it up, as well as the $100 for the visa. Had I known that I would definitely have to fly back to the States to pick it up in person, I might have also insisted on waiting there until it was ready, rather than coming on a tourist visa. I think it's best to be forceful (unlike me!) and be sure that either a) your school will pay for you to go back and get it, or b) you can wait there until it's ready.

What a pain, huh? Good luck.