COP31 Visa Türkiye: Free e-Visa for Participants, Validity & How to Apply

COP31, the UN Climate Change Conference, runs at the Antalya EXPO Center in Aksu from 9 to 20 November 2026, with pre-sessional meetings in the days before. Türkiye has set up a dedicated, free “COP31 Visa” for registered participants, and a lot of what is circulating about it online is slightly off. The most common mix-up we hear locally is that it is “a 7-day visa”. It isn’t: 7 working days is the processing time, not the length of stay. Here is what the official sources actually say, and what it means in practice.

COP31 Visa at a Glance

Who can get it	Participants whose COP31 registration has been approved by the UNFCCC
Cost	Free (electronic and sticker versions)
Type	Multiple entry
Validity	1 to 30 November 2026
Maximum stay	30 days
Processing time	Normally within 7 working days
Where to apply	evisa.gov.tr (the only official site)
Passport	Valid for at least 90 days after arrival
Questions	visas@unfccc.int

Haven’t Applied Yet? Do It Now

There is no single published cut-off date, but both cop31.tr and the UNFCCC strongly encourage participants to apply as soon as their UNFCCC registration is confirmed. With processing normally taking up to 7 working days and the conference opening on 9 November, the time left is now short, and the pre-sessional meetings start even earlier. If you are registered and haven’t applied, apply today, and contact visas@unfccc.int straight away if anything on the portal doesn’t work.

Who Needs What

You normally need a visa for Türkiye

Apply for the COP31 Visa on evisa.gov.tr once your UNFCCC registration is approved. Even if you already hold another valid Turkish visa covering November, the official FAQ says you still need the COP31 Visa so you enter as an approved participant.

You are normally visa-free for Türkiye

Many nationalities can visit Türkiye without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180, including UK, US and Canadian ordinary passport holders, most EU citizens and, since 17 April 2026, Australians. Check your own status on the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (mfa.gov.tr), as the list changes.

For COP31, visa-exempt participants can apply for a free COP31 Visa Exemption Certificate on the same portal. Both cop31.tr and the UNFCCC’s latest FAQ (October 2026) describe it as voluntary but advised for visa-exempt participants; the only group that must have it is UN Laissez-Passer holders (see below). It is free, takes a few minutes and gives you an official document to show at the border, so our advice is simple: get it.

UN and EU Laissez-Passer holders

• UN Laissez-Passer (all types): must apply for the COP31 Visa Exemption Certificate, and carry printed copies of it and of the UNFCCC Acknowledgement Letter.
• EU Laissez-Passer: must apply for the COP31 Visa, because EULP holders are subject to a visa requirement for Türkiye.

Partners, family and friends travelling with you

Not eligible. The COP31 Visa is only for people whose attendance the UNFCCC has approved. A partner or relative coming along for the trip follows the normal rules: visa-free if their passport allows it, otherwise a standard (paid) Turkish e-Visa. Our Turkey e-Visa guide walks through that process.

Green Zone visitors

The Green Zone is the public side of COP31, and cop31.tr has a separate “Register to Visit” sign-up that is valid for the Green Zone only. That is not a UNFCCC registration, and the official FAQ ties the COP31 Visa to a UNFCCC Registration Code. If you are only visiting the Green Zone, plan on the standard Turkish entry rules for your passport.

How to Apply, Step by Step

1. Wait for your UNFCCC Registration Confirmation email and open your Acknowledgement Letter. You need the Registration Code on it.
2. Go to evisa.gov.tr and create an account with a working email address. Click the activation link they send you.
3. Log in and fill in your personal details, travel document details, contact details and your planned arrival and departure dates. Flight numbers and hotel details are not required.
4. Upload a passport-style photo (JPEG, JPG or PNG, maximum 4 MB).
5. Check everything carefully, accept the terms and submit.
6. Download the COP31 Visa or Exemption Certificate from the “My Visa Applications” section of your account, and print a copy.

In some cases the portal shows a pop-up telling you to apply for a sticker visa at a Turkish embassy or consulate instead. Appointments for that go through konsolosluk.gov.tr. The sticker version is also free for approved participants.

Common Mistakes That Cause Problems

• Names that don’t match your passport exactly. A COP31 Visa is invalid if any detail differs from your travel document. Put a middle name in the “Given Name(s)” field after your first name, with a space. Don’t use a nickname.
• Typing the Registration Code wrongly. The portal is case-sensitive. If you get a “does not match UN records” message, compare your passport, your Acknowledgement Letter and what you typed, then contact visas@unfccc.int if the letter itself is wrong.
• Using a look-alike visa website. Only evisa.gov.tr is official. Third-party sites charge a fee for something that is free.
• Forgetting travel insurance. Turkish rules require valid travel medical insurance. You don’t upload it, but border officers can ask for proof.
• Planning to stay on afterwards. The COP31 Visa can’t be extended or turned into a residence permit. If you want a holiday after the conference, make sure it fits inside 30 November and the 30-day limit, or check your normal visa-free allowance before you book.
• Travelling on a national ID card. The accepted documents are passports and UN/EU laissez-passers. Bring your passport even if your country normally allows ID-card entry to Türkiye.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the COP31 visa a 7-day visa?
No. “7 working days” is how long processing normally takes. The visa itself is valid from 1 to 30 November 2026 and allows a stay of up to 30 days, with multiple entries.

How much does the COP31 visa cost?
Nothing. Both the electronic COP31 Visa and the sticker version issued by Turkish embassies are free for participants approved by the UNFCCC.

Can my partner or family get a COP31 visa?
No. Only UNFCCC-registered participants are eligible. Accompanying people follow the normal Turkish visa rules for their passport.

I’m British (or American, Canadian, Australian). Do I need to do anything?
You can normally enter Türkiye visa-free, but as a COP31 participant you should apply for the free COP31 Visa Exemption Certificate on evisa.gov.tr. The official sources describe it as voluntary but advised, and it is free, so getting it is the safe choice.

What is the deadline to apply?
No fixed cut-off date is published. The official advice is to apply as soon as your UNFCCC registration is confirmed. Processing normally takes up to 7 working days, so if you haven’t applied yet, do it now.

Can I extend the COP31 visa to stay longer in Antalya?
No. It can’t be extended or converted into a residence permit. Overstaying can lead to fines, deportation or an entry ban. Medical or force majeure cases should be reported to visas@unfccc.int straight away.

Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Turkish rules require foreign visitors to hold valid travel medical insurance, and you may be asked for proof on arrival.

Sources: COP31 Türkiye official visa page (cop31.tr/visa-and-entry) and the UNFCCC COP31 Visa FAQ (as of 1 October 2026), checked on 23 October 2026. Visa rules can change, so always confirm on evisa.gov.tr before you travel.

Page last updated: October 2026