A Guide to Obtaining a Residence Permit in Turkey: 6 Main Types Explained

A Guide to Obtaining a Residence Permit in Turkey: 6 Main Types Explained

Turkey is a popular destination for expats, students, investors, and families. If you plan to stay in Turkey for an extended period, you’ll need a residence permit.

Below is a breakdown of the six main types of residence permits available, along with eligibility criteria and key details.

For more details visit the web site of the Turkish Ministry of Interior, Directorate of Migration:

https://www.goc.gov.tr/

Please note that each case of applying for a resident permit is based on an individual evaluation and that the information below provides general guidelines only.

1. Short-Term Residence Permit

Legal Basis:

The Short-Term Residence Permit is regulated under Articles 31–33 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (No. 6458) and Articles 28–29 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law.

Who Can Apply?

Short-Term Residence Permits may be issued to the following foreigners:

• Scientific Researchers: Must provide a research permit from the relevant institution (e.g., Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Energy, universities) if required, or a declaration of the research topic if no permit is needed. Applicants must also obtain a visa for \"Scientific Research\" from Turkish consulates abroad.
• Property Owners: Must own residential property in Turkey. Family members with shared ownership can also apply.
• Business Connections or Entrepreneurs: Must provide an invitation letter or similar documentation from the company or individual they will collaborate with if staying longer than three months.
• In-Service Training Participants: Permit duration is based on the training program’s content, duration, and location, as documented by the training institution.
• Students or Participants in Exchange Programs: Must provide documentation from the relevant institution. The permit duration cannot exceed the program duration. Students in exchange programs (e.g., Erasmus, Mevlana, Farabi) must obtain general health insurance within three months of registration; otherwise, private health insurance is required.
• Tourists: Must provide a travel plan, including intended locations, dates, and duration of stay. Additional documentation may be requested.
• Medical Treatment Patients: Must be accepted by a public or private hospital. Health insurance is not required if all treatment expenses are prepaid. Permit duration aligns with the treatment period. Accompaniers (up to two people) are exempt from health insurance requirements if covered by existing health cooperation agreements.
• Foreigners Required to Stay by Judicial or Administrative Authorities: Permit duration is determined by the decision or request.
• Former Family Residence Permit Holders: Those who lose their Family Residence Permit eligibility (e.g., after divorce, death of the sponsor, or turning 18) may apply for a Short-Term Residence Permit.
• Turkish Language Course Participants: Permits are issued for the course duration, up to two times. Courses shorter than one year result in permits matching the course length.
• Participants in Publicly Funded Education, Research, Internships, or Courses: Permit duration cannot exceed one year. Health insurance and financial means are not required if expenses are covered by public institutions.
• Recent Graduates: Foreigners who completed higher education in Turkey may apply within six months of graduation for a one-time, one-year permit.
• Investors and Their Families: Foreigners investing in Turkey (as defined by the Council of Ministers) and their dependents may receive permits for up to five years.
• Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: May receive permits for up to five years.

Permit Duration:

Short-Term Residence Permits are generally issued for up to two years at a time, except for investors and TRNC citizens, who may receive up to five years.

Requirements:

• Proof of purpose for staying in Turkey.
• Compliance with Article 7 of the Law (no entry bans or public order threats).
• Adequate and safe accommodation.
• Criminal record certificate from the home country or country of legal residence, if requested.
• Proof of address in Turkey.

Reasons for Rejection, Cancellation, or Non-Renewal:

• Failure to meet or maintain the required conditions.
• Use of the permit for purposes other than intended.
• Valid deportation or entry ban.
• Violation of the maximum allowed stay outside Turkey.

2. Family Residence Permit

Legal Basis:

Regulated under Articles 34–37 of Law No. 6458 and Articles 30–34 of the Implementation Regulation.

Who Can Apply?

Family Residence Permits may be issued to:

• Spouses, minor children, or dependent children of Turkish citizens, foreigners with valid residence permits, refugees, or subsidiary protection status holders.

Notes:

• Only one spouse may receive a Family Residence Permit if the applicant has multiple spouses.
• All children may receive permits.
• For children, consent from both parents (if joint custody exists) is required.
• Holders of Family Residence Permits may attend primary and secondary education without a Student Residence Permit until age 18.

Transition to Short-Term Residence Permit:

Family Residence Permit holders may apply for a Short-Term Residence Permit in cases of divorce (after at least three years, unless domestic violence is proven), death of the sponsor, or turning 18.

Permit Duration:

• Issued for up to three years at a time.
• Cannot exceed the sponsor’s permit duration.

Requirements:

• The sponsor must meet financial and health insurance requirements (minimum income of one-third of the minimum wage per family member, no criminal record for family-related offenses, and at least one year of residence in Turkey).
• The applicant must provide proof of relationship and intent to live with the sponsor, and meet general residence requirements.

Reasons for Rejection, Cancellation, or Non-Renewal:

• Failure to meet or maintain the required conditions.
• Use of the permit for purposes other than intended.
• Valid deportation or entry ban.

3. Student Residence Permit

Legal Basis:

Regulated under Articles 38–41 of Law No. 6458 and Articles 35–39 of the Implementation Regulation.

Who Can Apply?

• Foreigners enrolled in primary, secondary, or higher education (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, medical/dental residency) in Turkey.
• Foreigners under 18 in primary or secondary education with a Family Residence Permit do not need a Student Residence Permit until age 18.

Notes:

• Student Residence Permit holders can only sponsor their spouse and children for Family Residence Permits.
• Permit duration matches the study period if less than one year.

Requirements:

• Proof of enrollment and purpose of stay.
• Compliance with Article 7 of the Law.
• Proof of address in Turkey.

Health Insurance:

Students who register for general health insurance within three months of enrollment are exempt from additional health insurance requirements.

Work Rights:

Undergraduate and graduate students may work after the first year, provided they obtain a work permit.

Reasons for Rejection, Cancellation, or Non-Renewal:

• Failure to meet or maintain the required conditions.
• Evidence that the student cannot continue their studies.
• Use of the permit for purposes other than intended.
• Valid deportation or entry ban.

4. Long-Term Residence Permit

Legal Basis:

Regulated under Articles 42–45 of Law No. 6458 and Articles 40–43 of the Implementation Regulation.

Who Can Apply?

• Foreigners who have resided in Turkey continuously for at least eight years with a valid residence permit, or who meet conditions set by the Ministry.

Exclusions:

• Refugees, conditional refugees, subsidiary protection status holders, and those under temporary protection cannot apply.

Permit Duration:

Issued indefinitely.

Requirements:

• Continuous residence for at least eight years (half of the Student Residence Permit period and full duration of other permits count toward this requirement).
• No social assistance received in the last three years.
• Stable and sufficient income.
• Valid health insurance.
• No threat to public order or security.

Rights:

Long-Term Residence Permit holders enjoy most rights granted to Turkish citizens, except for military service, voting, public office, tax-exempt vehicle import, and specific legal exemptions.

Reasons for Cancellation:

• Serious threat to public order or security.
• Staying outside Turkey for more than one year continuously (excluding health, education, or mandatory public service).

Reapplication:

Cancelled permit holders may reapply, with priority processing within one month. The eight-year residence requirement is not reassessed.

5. Humanitarian Residence Permit

Legal Basis:

Regulated under Articles 46–47 of Law No. 6458 and Article 44 of the Implementation Regulation.

Who Can Apply?

• Foreigners whose best interests (e.g., children) are at stake.
• Those unable to leave Turkey due to deportation or entry bans, or if departure is unreasonable.
• Those awaiting judicial review of deportation or entry ban decisions.
• Those pending return to a first country of asylum or safe third country.
• Those whose presence is necessary for urgent reasons or national interests, and who cannot obtain other permits.
• Those affected by extraordinary circumstances.

Permit Duration:

Issued for a limited period, as determined by the Ministry, and renewable with the Ministry’s approval.

Requirements:

No standard residence permit conditions apply.

Reasons for Cancellation or Non-Renewal:

The conditions necessitating the permit no longer exist.

Additional Notes:

• Holders must register their address within 20 business days.
• Humanitarian Residence Permit holders may apply for other permits (except Long-Term) if eligible.
• Time spent under this permit does not count toward other residence permit durations.

6. Victim of Human Trafficking Residence Permit

Legal Basis:

Regulated under Articles 48–49 of Law No. 6458 and Articles 45–46 of the Implementation Regulation.

Who Can Apply?

• Foreigners strongly suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

Permit Duration:

Initially issued for 30 days, extendable in six-month increments, up to a total of three years.

Requirements:

No standard residence permit conditions apply.

Reasons for Cancellation:

• Voluntary reconnection with traffickers.
• Non-compliance with obligations.
• Determination that the individual is not a victim.

Exceptions:

Cancellation does not apply if reconnection or non-compliance was due to coercion, intimidation, violence, or threats.

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