QA-41, 26 November 2014

In a news published on 24 November 2014, it was claimed that the authorities of the Union of the Comoros, a party to the Mavi Marmara incident, were not issued entry visas to Turkey. It was also asserted that they were obstructed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, and that they had to return from Kenya and Tanzania.

This matter was investigated by the Turkish Embassies in Dar es Salaam, in Nairobi and in Antananarivo which is accredited to the Union of the Comoros. It was understood that the authorities of the Union of the Comoros had not applied for visa with the purpose which was claimed in the above-mentioned news.

In this regard, the claims stated in the news that they were obstructed by the diplomats of the Ministry do not reflect the reality.

Citizens of the Union of the Comoros wishing to travel to Turkey can obtain their short-term touristic entry visas from the Turkish Missions.

In addition, the citizens of the Union of the Comoros may get their single entry stamp visas with a residence permit up to 30 days at the İstanbul Atatürk International Airport border gates under certain conditions. Furthermore, the citizens of the Union of the Comoros were also provided with e-Visa facilitation launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey on 17 April 2013. In this regard, they can enter Turkey with one month period single entry e-Visas through the airport border crossings.