The new system allows tourists to apply and pay for their visa online and print it out before they travel, which they hope will help eliminate the long queues familiar to visitors arriving in Turkey.  

The e-visa will be available to citizens of 94 countries. 

Istanbul 2020 has also guaranteed a visa waiver for all accredited persons during the Games, and up to one month before and after the Games.

"This is a revolutionary practice and there is no other country implementing this system at the scale we are implementing it," said Turkey's Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu (left) and Interior Minister Muammer Güler launch the new e-visa system

"This is an important step in Turkey's commitment to providing the best possible visitor experience for the ever-increasing number of tourists that visit our country," said Ali Kiremitçioğlu, the chief executive of Istanbul 2020.  

"Istanbul 2020 will be characterised by a simple and enjoyable end-to-end experience for every guest.

"That starts with user-friendly entry procedures that minimise bureaucracy for the preparation and celebration of the Games, with no compromise on security.

"The entire Olympic Family can be guaranteed the warmest of welcomes with Turkey's famous culture of hospitality and compassion."

It is expected that visa issuance at the borders will be replaced entirely by e-visas within three to four months and that 7.5 million visas will be issued annually through the online system, which will initially only be available to visitors travelling with Turkish Airlines.

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