The British Embassy in Turkey website has been updated on the subject of visas.

We provide a link to the updated web page below, but we should tell you not to get too excited.

It does not reveal much more than was said in their previous update, on 27th July, but there is nevertheless some good news in there.

So what new information do we have? We are informed that there was a meeting between the Ambassador, and the Turkish Foreign Ministry, in early August, where the Foreign Ministry confirmed that any change to the previous system had been postponed. (Note - not scrapped).

The website continues, "Some visitors have been anxious that on arrival in Turkey they have been issued with entry visas stating that they could only stay for 90 days in 180. The Foreign Ministry said that this was due to a lack of 90 day visas. The Foreign Ministry assured the Ambassador that in practice the entry system would operate as in the past until further notice."

"The Foreign Ministry and UK officials will hold hold talks in the autumn on the question of visas and residence permits. The Ministry confirmed that any future change in procedures will be announced in good time before implementation to allow people to make their decisions and arrangements."

So to sum up, if you have been given one of the new visa stickers, don't worry - ignore the bit about the 180 day period. For now, you can still get back to back 90 day visas if you wish.

On any future visit to Turkey, if you get one of the new stickers, again, don't worry - it's just because they don't have any of the proper stickers, (or perhaps they have been told to use 'old stationery', so money is not wasted).

Here at KTLN we think the wording used by the Foreign Ministry gives a very clear indication that this change has not gone away completely. The new rules will be implemented at some time in the future.

We would advise long term foreigners in Turkey, who presently do back to back visa runs, to prepare for change. The Turkish authorities have said they will give notice, but really the writing is already on the wall.

To read the full web page from the British Embassy in Turkey, click here.