Foreign Office changes travel advice for Turkey

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised its advice for Brits travelling to Turkey. As the government's foreign affairs department, one of the FCDO's responsibilities is to regularly update travel guidance for some 226 overseas nations and territories.

A new FCDO alert issued on Friday, June 20, reads: "If you are a British national wanting to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, you will need to request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border, indicating whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative.

"You will need to provide personal details (name, date of birth, details of travel document used to enter Turkey). This is required by the Turkish authorities.

"The usual entry requirements will apply, including that British nationals can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

"If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you."

Elsewhere, government guidance explains that "if you are affected by a crisis abroad [you should] call the FCDO on (+44) (0)207 008 5000."