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COP 31 Antalya visas: a dedicated route for approved participantsAntalya will host COP 31 from 9 to 20 November 2026. Participants whose attendance has been approved by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change can use a dedicated Turkish visa route through the eVisa platform. The visa is free and permits multiple entries, but eligibility depends on approved participation. Simply wanting to visit Antalya during the conference does not qualify a traveller for this route.
Start by identifying your travel document and conference registration status. They help determine whether you need a COP 31 Visa, can obtain an optional exemption certificate, or must follow specific arrangements for a UN document or a sticker visa. Read the instructions for your category before purchasing a service from someone else.
Who is eligible?
The route is for registered, approved participants; it is not a general free tourist visa. After registration approval, the confirmation email provides access to the UNFCCC Acknowledgement Letter and registration code. Keep these details with your travel document so the application can be connected to the approved participant.A relative or friend travelling with you who is not a registered participant does not automatically gain your eligibility. Check their ordinary requirements based on nationality and travel document. Sharing a booking does not make two travellers' entry conditions identical, so separate the participant's visa file from arrangements for an accompanying person.
 Traveller's situation |  Relevant route |  Practical distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Approved participant who requires an entry visa | Apply for a COP 31 Visa | Start after conference registration is confirmed |
| Participant exempt by nationality and travel document | An exemption certificate is advised on a voluntary basis | Do not generalise the special UN document requirement |
| Participant holding a UNLP document | Apply for the certificate under the document-specific arrangements | Carry printed copies of the certificate and Acknowledgement Letter |
| Accompanying person not registered for the conference | Ordinary travel and visa procedures | Accompanying someone does not confer COP 31 Visa eligibility |
Visa validity and conference dates are different
The conference programme and the visa validity window are separate. Your travel must comply with the issued document and maximum allowed stay. Use your intended arrival, departure and any additional stops when checking the journey; do not treat the conference timetable alone as your entry and exit calendar. Item |  Published arrangement |  What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Conference dates | 9–20 November 2026 | Plan attendance around your registration and programme |
| Visa validity | 1–30 November 2026 | Do not assume it covers a day outside that window |
| Maximum stay | 30 days | Read validity and permitted stay together |
| Entries | Multiple | The visa conditions still apply on re-entry |
| Fee | Free for eligible participants | A free visa does not make the trip free |
| Normal processing | Within 7 working days | Apply early and allow time for clarification |
| Passport validity | At least 90 days after arrival | Calculate it from the intended arrival date |
Making the online application
Use the official Turkish eVisa platform and follow the COP 31 route with an email account you can access. Prepare the registration code from your Acknowledgement Letter, personal and travel document details, travel information and a passport-size photograph in JPEG, JPG or PNG format, no larger than 4 MB.Match your name and document number to the original before submission. Do not substitute a nickname or a shortened name. Review the name, passport number, document type and dates one field at a time. This simple organisation reduces the need to correct discrepancies that could have been noticed before sending the form.
Activate the account from the email, complete the fields, and review the terms and information before submission. Once issued, download the document from your account. Keep an accessible copy with your participation letter instead of relying only on a screenshot saying the application succeeded; the success message and the issued visa are different documents.
Exemption certificates and special cases
For participants exempt by nationality and document type, the current instructions describe the COP 31 exemption certificate as recommended on a voluntary basis. Do not turn that advice into a universal obligation for every exempt national.UN Laissez-Passer holders are a separate category: the arrangements require an exemption certificate and printed copies of it and the Acknowledgement Letter. If the platform directs you to a diplomatic mission for a sticker visa, follow that referral rather than changing the document type to bypass it. Applying each category's actual instructions is clearer than giving the same answer to every participant.
A participant may already hold a valid Turkish visa. The conference instructions require use of the dedicated COP 31 arrangements to obtain the visa or applicable document. Check that rule before treating the existing visa as a complete substitute for the conference procedure; the voluntary guidance for nationality-exempt participants remains as explained above.
Travel preparations, insurance and tracking
Plan the journey before travelling, but do not assume every booking must be uploaded. COP 31 guidance distinguishes application information from travel preparation: intended arrival and departure dates are provided, while flight and accommodation details are not ordinarily required in the form. Read any request specific to your application rather than adding unrelated files.Arrange valid travel medical insurance. Guidance notes that proof may be requested on arrival even though it is not uploaded during the application. Keep it with the visa or relevant document, passport and participation letter. Organise transport to the accommodation and conference too; issuing a visa does not book those services for you.
Track the request through your account's visa applications section. If the issued document differs from your passport details, contact the conference secretariat's visa team at [email protected] and follow its instructions for reapplication. Do not wait until reaching the airport to deal with a discrepancy you already know about.
Ending the stay and planning later travel
The COP 31 Visa covers this temporary participation. As a general rule, it cannot be extended or converted into a residence permit. If a medical situation or force majeure requires a longer stay, inform the conference secretariat immediately and establish the appropriate procedure. A delayed journey or continuing side activity is not automatic permission to overstay.Set a reminder for the departure date your documents cover, and reconsider it if bookings change. When planning a later trip to Türkiye for a different purpose, check that trip's requirements separately rather than relying on the conference visa's free issuance or multiple-entry status.
Three quick questions
Can an unregistered companion receive the free visa?No. COP 31 eligibility is tied to approved participation. An unregistered companion follows the ordinary travel rules applicable to them.
Must every visa-exempt participant obtain the certificate?
The current guidance recommends it voluntarily for nationality- and document-exempt participants. UNLP documents have specific mandatory arrangements and must be treated separately.
Does the conference visa permit a long-term stay?
It does not automatically become a residence permit. Do not base a residence plan on this special visa; check its duration and conditions before choosing the return date.
Final preparation checklist
Check registration approval, matching name and passport data, and the document required for your category. Calculate passport validity from arrival, and confirm that you have downloaded the visa or required certificate and retained your participation letter and insurance. Match travel dates to the issued document and allow enough processing time before departure. Preparing these details early leaves you free to concentrate on the conference programme.
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