Turkey travel warning as UK Foreign Office changes guidance

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for anyone visiting Turkey. The government department frequently updates its guidance on travel to any of 226 nations and territories.

The FCDO does this to keep travellers informed, to help them make decisions about journeys and destinations, and - most importantly - to help keep them safe. On Tuesday morning, a new alert was issued, aimed at anyone with plans to visit Turkey, as guidance around some parts of the country has now changed.

Back in May, the FCDO warned UK travellers against "all but essential travel" to specific parts of Turkey, these being the Sirnak city, Hakkari Province as well as anywhere along the border of Turkey and Syria. But a new update on Gov.uk reads: "FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Sirnak city and Hakkari province, but continues to advise against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria".

FCDO said it advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria "due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism." Further guidance on Gov.uk reminds those planning to visit Turkey on a UK passport that their document must have an expiry date at least 150 days after the date you arrive, and it must have at least one blank page.

The advice continues: "If you live in Turkey, your passport must be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive. If entering at a land border, make sure officials stamp and date your passport at the border crossing.

"Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen."