Turkey – Residence Permit

General Information

To create a system that respects human dignity and prevents human rights violations, it is important to establish parallelism between the practice of international law and national law rules. Foreigners in Turkey have rights and obligations, and residency permits provide a legal basis for their stay in the country within the framework of these rights and obligations.

According to the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, a residence permit document is issued to allow foreigners to stay in Turkey. Competent authorities grant this document, which gives the right to reside in a specific location in Turkey for a designated period of time. Residence permits play a crucial role in ensuring and protecting public order. They are issued upon request and application by the foreigner, provided that they fulfill the relevant conditions and submit the required documents.

Residence permits are mandatory for foreigners who wish to stay in Turkey for a period longer than the allowed time of a visa, visa exemption, or ninety days. Foreigners who have completed their applications through the e-residence system must be present at the provincial/district migration management directorates in the province where they intend to live on the designated appointment day. Failure to appear without a valid reason will be considered as if no application has been made. Valid reasons for absence may require the submission of additional information and documents. The same principles apply to residence permit extension applications.

Foreigners Communication Center (YİMER):

Foreigners can obtain detailed information about residence permits from the Foreigners Communication Center (YİMER) 24/7 by calling 157 within Turkey or +90 312 157 11 22 from abroad.

Residence Permit Application

Foreigners who plan to stay in Turkey beyond the duration of a visa or visa exemption, or longer than ninety days, must obtain a residence permit. The possibility of applying for residence permits through consulates in the foreigner’s country of citizenship or legal residence will soon be available and will be announced accordingly. Until this procedure is adopted, residence permit applications should be made at the governorates.

According to the relevant law, accompanying applications are no longer valid, and residence permit documents will be issued separately for each foreigner following their individual applications. Applications can be made in person, by a legal representative, or a lawyer. However, if deemed necessary, the administration may require the foreigner to be present during the application process. Law No. 6735 has included the provision that applications may also be made through Authorized Intermediaries, which are institutions or organizations authorized by the Presidency. The qualifications and task frameworks of these intermediaries will be determined by regulation.

e-Residence System

Article 30 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 provides for the issuance of six types of residence permits. Applications for first-time, extension, or transfer permits must be made online via the e-Residence system (https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/).

First and Transfer Applications

For first-time and transfer applications, foreigners must apply for a residence permit through the e-Residence system and be present at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management on the appointed date, along with the required documents (https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/IstenenBelgeler). Additionally, the original passport must be submitted for first-time or transfer applications, and a notarized passport photocopy for extension applications.

Extension Application

Extension applications must be made to the governorates within sixty days prior to the expiration of the residence permit, or before the expiration date at the latest. After applying for a residence permit via the e-Residence system and gathering the required documents, foreigners must send those documents to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management by post within 5 (five) working days. During the extension application, it is important to verify the accuracy of the previously provided information to ensure correct entry. Otherwise, the e-Residence system will not allow an extension application and will direct the applicant to the appointment system.

Work Permit as a Residence Permit

A valid work permit is considered a residence permit within the framework of the law. This means that work permit holders are entitled to stay in Turkey without a separate residence permit during the period of their work permit.

Health Insurance Requirement

The duration of health insurance coverage must match the requested duration of the residence permit. One of the following health insurances is considered sufficient:

1. A document received from the Provincial Unit of the Social Security Institution, which proves access to health services in Turkey within the scope of bilateral social security agreements, and is e-signed/signed, sealed, or stamped.
2. A certificate of authorization received from the Social Security Institution, which is e-signed/signed, sealed, or stamped. For family residence permits, this certificate must cover both sponsors and family members.
3. A document proving the application made to the Social Security Institution for General Health Insurance, which is e-signed/signed, sealed, or stamped.
4. Private Health Insurance.

Residence Permit Fee

Residence permit fees are governed by the Law on Fees No. 492, and foreigners are required to pay these fees. In cases where an extension application is not made following the expiration of the residence permit, fees for the period spent in Turkey will be collected in accordance with Article 83 of the Law on Fees No. 492.

Address of Stay in Turkey

Foreigners must provide information about their address of stay in Turkey, which can be either a fixed address or the address of an accommodation facility. Regardless, it is important to state the correct and complete address information. Additionally, the address, telephone number, or email information must be up-to-date to ensure the residence permit document is delivered to the correct address. If the address information changes during the period of the residence permit, the necessary documents must be submitted to the provincial directorate of migration management and provincial directorate of civil registration and citizenship within 20 (twenty) working days.

Right to Exit-Entry for 15 Days

The Residence Permit Application Document is issued after the initial application via the e-Residence system and completion of the appointment at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The system also issues the Residence Permit Application Document upon the completion of an extension application via the e-Residence system. Foreigners can exit Turkey within 15 days with the approved “Residence Permit Application Document” and the fee receipt, provided they re-enter within that time frame. However, if staying abroad for more than 15 days, visa provisions will apply to the foreigner.

Finalization of Residence Permits

According to Article 21 of the relevant law, residence permit applications shall be finalized no later than ninety days. Additionally, according to Article 22 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, the ninety-day period starts from the date on which all information and documents have been fully submitted to the competent authority. Foreigners are notified in the case of an extension within this period.

Warning about Fake Documentation

The Presidency of Migration Management does not work with third-party individuals or entities in activities related to foreigners. It has been discovered that fake documents have been produced for use in residence permit applications by individuals or companies that charge a fee. Therefore, residence permit applications must be made in person, and third-party individuals or entities should not be accredited.

OBTAINING A RESIDENCE PERMIT

Foreigners who intend to extend their stay in Türkiye beyond the time limit specified in their visa, those who require a visa exemption or intend to stay for more than ninety days must obtain a residence permit.

1. Short-Term Residence Permit for Foreigners

For short-term residence permits, foreigners who own real estate in Türkiye or intend to establish a business or make business connections in Türkiye must submit the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü) once an application is submitted through the e-residence system. (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr)

Short-term residence permits are issued for a maximum of two years as a principle. However, foreigners who intend to invest in Türkiye in amounts and scopes attested by the Council of Ministers, along with their spouse and children, may be granted a five-year short-term residence permit. Furthermore, these investors may apply for acquisition of Turkish citizenship or a long-term residence permit.

1.1. Initial Application

• Residence permit application form
• Copy of passport or equivalent travel document
• Four biometric photographs
• Proof of financial sufficiency and regular means of subsistence for the duration of the stay
• Documents/receipts for the payment of residence permit fee and card fee
• Title deed proving the applicant’s ownership (required for foreigners who own immovable property in Turkey)
• Valid health insurance

Foreigners who intend to apply for a short residence permit by establishing a business or making business connections in Turkey must submit the following additional documents:

• Letter of invitation from the person or company(ies) to be contacted
• Notarized company activity certificate
• Notarized tax registration certificate
• Notarized trade registry gazette
• Notarized signature circular

Foreigners who intend to apply for a short residence permit by investing in amounts and scopes attested by the Council of Ministers must meet any of the following criteria:

• Making a minimum fixed capital investment of USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency, as attested by the Ministry of Industry and Technology
• Acquiring a property worth a minimum of USD 400,000 or equivalent foreign currency with a title deed restriction on its resale for at least three years, as attested by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change
• Creating jobs for at least 50 people, as attested by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security
• Depositing a minimum of USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency in banks operating in Türkiye with the condition that it is not withdrawn for at least three years, as attested by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency
• Buying government bonds worth a minimum of USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency with the condition that they are not sold for at least three years, as attested by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance
• Buying real estate investment fund shares or venture capital investment fund shares worth a minimum of USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency with the condition that they are not sold for at least three years, as attested by the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye
• Depositing a minimum contribution of USD 500,000 or equivalent foreign currency in funds determined by the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency with the condition that it remains in the private pension system for at least three years, as attested by the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency

1.2. Application for Extension

For obtaining extensions, foreigners must submit the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü) by mail within five business days once an application is submitted through the e-residence system. (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr). Applications for extension of the residence permit may be made sixty days prior to its expiration, but under no circumstances should this be done after the expiry date.

• Residence permit application form
• Notarized copy of passport or equivalent travel document
• Four biometric photographs
• Submission of the previous residence permit document
• Proof of financial sufficiency and regular means of subsistence for the duration of the stay
• Title deed proving the applicant’s ownership (required for foreigners who own immovable property in Turkey)
• Letter of invitation from the person or company(ies) to be contacted (required for foreigners who intend to establish business or make business connections in Turkey)
• Valid medical insurance

2. Long-Term Residence Permit for Foreigners

For long-term residence permits, foreigners who have continuously resided in Türkiye for at least eight years must submit the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü). Long-term residence permits are issued indefinitely; therefore, no extension application is required.

2.1. Application

• Residence permit application form
• Original and copy of passport or equivalent travel document
• Copy of the previous residence permit document
• Four biometric photographs
• Proof that the applicant has not received any social aid from governmental institutions and organizations in the last three years
• Proof of financial sufficiency and regular means of subsistence for the duration of the stay
• Police record document
• Valid medical insurance