No entry form (Hes Code)! No PCR Test! No Vaccination in Turkey! Finally Freedom
We created every year in March 2021 about how to feel the entrance form and how to fix the errors while doing it. we have received many questions since then, and we were prepared to create to answer all those questions. However, it's not going to be necessary anymore. As of the 2nd of March, 2022, the Turkish government has decided to loosen the restrictions while traveling and visiting places in Turkey. The government has announced that the entry form (HES CODE) is no longer required for anybody when entering Turkey or any closed areas in Turkey authorized stuff. In shopping malls, museums, theaters, cinemas, etc will no longer ask for his code from the visitors. You still have to fill out the entry form on the registered health gov our website, before you entered the Republic of Turkey.
However, the system will not assign you a Hess code or a QR code because it's no longer required. So don't be worried if your interest form doesn't have it. Here is an example of how the entry form with QR code looked like before and here. You can see how it looks now.
Negative PCR test result or vaccination certificate not required:
The Turkish government has also announced that negative PCR test results or vaccination certificates will not be asked if you travel to Turkey. It's also officially published on the Turkish airline's website that a PCR test or proof of vaccination won't be necessary. That means if you want to travel from Istanbul to any part of Turkey. Wearing a mask is still mandatory in closed areas.
During Covid-19 Entry Requirements:
Due to the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the entire world had shut down. Now that things are settling back to originality, countries are opening their gates for visitors all around the globe after implying the necessary conditions and precautions to avoid the further spread of the virus. Turkey has also applied a few requirements to avoid the spread of the virus and make sure that if the virus does enter the country, then they have methods ready to counter back and hold the spread before it creates any trouble.
These requirements range from banning the entry of visitors who are the nationals of a heavy COVID-19 cases country. It also includes a list of different laboratory tests and different documents to ensure that the visitor is healthy and COVID-free. One of these requirements includes the Turkey Passenger Locator Form for those who are visiting the country for both a temporary time period as well as permanently.
Basics of the Turkey Passenger Locator Form:
Turkey has introduced an online form that visitors have to fill out a few days before they take off for their flight to Turkey. The main reason for this form is to make sure that every person who enters the country has been taken into account. The form checks all the information of the passenger with their information on the visa and passport and then generates a unique HES code for that passenger. This code is then used by the visitor throughout their stay in Turkey, and they record their HES pin at the places they visit and the transportation that they use to travel.
The reason behind filling this form and assigning a unique key to every passenger so the visitor can be easily tracked while they are in Turkey along with all the activities that they take part in. This helps the Turkish government to contact a visitor in case they get in contact with someone who is infected by the virus and may need to undergo necessary tests and quarantine. This will also result as a means to contact the people who were involved in the same activities to help avoid the spread of the virus.
Age Limit for the Turkey Passenger Locator Form:
The Passenger Locator Form is compulsory for visitors at the age of 6 years or older. The reason why the Turkish government is making the younger generations fill the form as well as to keep them protected from any exposure to the virus. Initially, the Turkish government was targeting the form for ages 12 or above, but it was later proven necessary to keep track of the activities of those younger as well to halt the spread of any contamination or to ensure the safety of the children towards any future mutations of the COVID-19 virus as well as keep track of the activities of their parents or guardian who may get in contact with the guardians or parents of other kids in the same age range.
Time Limit for Applying for the Turkey Passenger Locator Form:
The maximum time limit you can apply for the Turkish Passenger Locator Form is 72 hours before you have entered the country. This means that you will be required to fill out the form and keep a physical copy of the form before you leave for your trip to Turkey. The form is compulsory along with your visa for entry to Turkey, and without the Passenger Locator Form, the visitor will not be allowed to enter Turkey and will be sent back.
This condition also applies if the form was filled in less than 72 hours of your trip. The form is a requirement to be filled by all passengers above or at the age of 6 years old, and every visitor must fill the form individually as well as carry a hard copy of the form for confirmation check after landing in Turkey.
Validity Period for the Turkey Passenger Locator Form:
The Turkey Passenger Locator Form is considered valid after the visitor has been assigned with a unique HES code. The form has a total validity period equal to the validity period of the visitor’s visa to ensure that the HES code expires as soon as the visitor’s permitted time period in Turkey comes to an end, and the visa expires.
Compulsory Requirements for the Turkey Passenger Locator Form:
The Passenger Locator Form targets only the basic information of the visitor and the information provided on their visa.
These required snippets of information include the:
- Full legal name of the passenger,
- The official gender of the passenger,
- Their nationality,
- Working phone number,
- Passport number with an expiry date of more than 6 months after arrival to Turkey,
- The expected arrival date to Turkey,
- The expected and permitted departure date from Turkey,
- The mode of transportation used,
- Official accommodation address during the stay in Turkey,
- The visited countries in the past 10 days before departure to Turkey to ensure that there are no high COVID risk countries in the visited list.
All of this data is then confirmed and counter-checked with the visa. If the data is valid and acceptable, the visitor is then provided with a soft copy of the form and a unique HES code for usage during the stay in Turkey.
Necessary Tests for Entry to Turkey:
Along with the compulsory Passenger Locator Form, the Turkish government also requires its visitors to have a number of lab tests and other necessary tests and documentation done before they depart for Turkey.
The first requirement is the COVID-19 vaccination certificate for every passenger over or at the age of 12 years old. The vaccine used should be acceptable in Europe and follow the health regulation and necessities test in Europe and in Turkey. The second dose of the vaccine should be completed a maximum of 12 days before the visitor’s departure to Turkey.
Other necessary tests include the PCR laboratory test, which should be done a maximum of 3 days before departure to Turkey and get a positive result. If the PCR test is negative or if the visitor was in contact with one of the high COVID case countries, an antigen test will also be compulsory. The antigen test should also be done a maximum of 3 days before departure to Turkey and return with a negative result.
If the visitor has had COVID-19 in the past 6 months of their departure to Turkey, they will be required to submit a valid health certificate confirming that they are now healthy and have recovered from the virus successfully.
Quarantine Requirements for Entry to Turkey:
The Turkish government has applied 2 different reasons for a visitor to get quarantined in Turkey. The first reason is if the visitor is a national of one of the high COVID risk countries or are visiting through one of those countries, they are then required to get quarantined in Turkey for a 10 day period. During this quarantine, the visitor will have to take care of all of their quarantine expenses while following the rules implied by the Turkish health ministry.
After completing their 10-day quarantine and getting a PCR test or a negative antigen or COVID test, the visitor can then start their stay in Turkey without any extra restrictions.
The second case is when a passenger leaves from his country COVID-free but ends up with a negative PCR test after landing in Turkey due to another passenger, or if the visitor gets COVID from a Turkish citizen while enjoying their stay in Turkey, they will be required to go to a 10 to 15 days quarantine. This quarantine will be in one of the hotels chosen by the Turkish government, and the quarantine will be fully funded by the Turkish government as well. The individual can leave after completing their designated time and getting the required results for one of the tests.
Expected Cost of the Turkey Passenger Locator Form:
The Turkish government has made the form available on the official visa website as well as on their health ministry webpage. You can fill out the form free of cost and download it to get a copy. If the individual fills the form via a call service, the charges can vary from country to country, as well as the type of connection they use.
Is it Necessary to Apply for the Turkey Passenger Locator Form:
It has been made compulsory by the Turkish government to apply and fill out the Passenger Locator Form before they depart for Turkey. If the passenger does not hold a physical copy of the form when departing, the plane crew will not allow them to take the flight.
Method to Fill the Turkey Passenger Locator Form:
The Turkish government has prioritized the ease of its visitors. As a result, the form has been made available online on the official website of the Turkish government, on the Turkish health ministry official page, on the Turkey e-visa page, as well as individually as itself.
You can fill out the form virtually and print a copy of the form after a HES code has been generated.