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No. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the e-Visa covers only tourism or commerce, and it states separately that anyone shooting a documentary needs special permission in advance. Crew apply for a filming and documentary visa on visa.gov.tr after the General Directorate of Cinema and the governorate have issued the filming permit. The Los Angeles consulate's 2026 list asks for a passport, application form, photo, employment letter, hotel and flight bookings, the official permission letter, travel health insurance of at least €30,000, a bank statement and the fee. Requirements vary by mission, so each crew member checks with their own consulate. The visa allows up to 90 days; beyond that, a residence permit is applied for at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr before the current stay expires.

Work permits fall under the International Labour Force Law (Law 6735) and are issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (ÇSGB), not the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. There is no film-specific exemption. The closest is Article 48(1)(a) of the implementing regulation, which exempts foreigners working in scientific, cultural and artistic activities for up to one month; work beyond that needs a full permit. The regulation does not say whether a commercial shoot counts as an artistic activity, so we assess each crew before travel. The Ministry of Culture may contact other agencies about entry and work permits when it deems necessary, but that is discretionary, not a service you can count on.

Turkey accepts ATA Carnets for professional equipment, with TOBB as the national guaranteeing association. Before you present the goods, on entry and again on exit, the carnet holder completes an electronic declaration in the Turkish e-ATA system at uygulama.gtb.gov.tr/eATA; since 30 April 2026 the first login password has to be obtained in person from Turkish Customs. The holder or representative must hold a foreign passport and be named in Box B or carry a power of attorney. Re-export is usually allowed within 6 months. Foreign-registered drones may fly only if they are compatible with SHGM's İHATTYS system under the 30 July 2026 instruction.

Fixed public holidays are 1 January, 23 April, 1 May, 19 May, 15 July, 30 August and 29 October, when the law requires private workplaces to close; Republic Day starts at 13:00 on 28 October. Ramazan Bayramı lasts three and a half days and Kurban Bayramı four and a half, each starting at 13:00 on the eve. For 2027 the reported dates are 9 to 11 March for Ramazan Bayramı and 16 to 19 May for Kurban Bayramı. The government can extend a bayram for the public sector, as it did with a nine-day Kurban Bayramı in 2026, so permit offices close for longer. The Grand Bazaar shuts on the first days of both bayrams, and crew who work a public holiday are owed an extra day's wage.

Usually, if the producer has no residence, workplace or tax liability in Turkey. The standard VAT rate has been 20% since July 2023. VAT on goods and services bought during the Ministry-approved filming permit period can be refunded under VAT Law 3065 Article 11/1-(b), provided each invoice exceeds the Tax Procedure Law invoicing threshold. After filming you file a petition with a sworn financial adviser (YMM) report at the Ankara Başkent, İstanbul Beyoğlu or İzmir Konak tax office. Purchases made by a Turkish production company do not qualify, so we keep your invoices in your company's name.

Turkey has stayed on UTC+3 all year since September 2016, with no summer or winter clock change. It also means late winter sunrises in the west of the country, which we account for when we set winter call times in Istanbul.