Can you apply for a Schengen visa in Istanbul without a residence permit?

Whether you need to show return tickets at a Turkish airport when flying back home is unclear — no definitive answer was shared. Best to check directly with your airline before travel.

Transit at Istanbul IST airport between two different airlines without checked baggage typically doesn't require going through passport control — only carry-on screening. However, traveling with a birth certificate instead of a passport may raise issues with Turkish border officers.

Applying for a Schengen visa (Spain, Belgium) in Turkey without a residence permit is theoretically possible, but most consulates require proof of legal residence in the country where you apply. Without a Turkish residence permit, your application may be rejected outright.

To get a Bulgarian transit visa through the visa center in Istanbul: the website works but the online appointment booking system may throw errors. If you can't book online and can't call, try emailing the visa center directly or using a visa agency intermediary.