Residence Permit
A residence permit is a document that needs to be obtained from the Immigration Office for a foreign national who will stay in Turkey for a period longer than the validity of his/her visa, depending on the country.
Apart from foreign nationals who are exempt from obtaining a residence permit, others are required to obtain a residence permit in order to stay in Turkey for periods not exceeding the period of validity of their visa.
A residence permit is a benefit of international law. This benefit is also important for the interests of the country in order to protect public health and order, prevent possible negative situations as well as to identify and control foreigners residing in the country.
1) Short-term Residence Permit
Foreigners who own immovable property in Turkey;
If foreigners who own immovable property apply for a residence permit, the immovable property shall be a dwelling and used for this purpose. In addition, family members can also apply for a residence permit under this scope if they have common or joint ownership of the dwelling. Family members include the applicant's spouse, minor child and dependent adult child.
Documents required in order to apply for a short-term residence permit:
- Application form
- Original and photocopy of passport or equivalent
- 4 biometric photographs
- Declaration of sufficient financial means for the period of validity of the residence permit
- Health insurance
2) Family residence permit
Foreigners with one of the residence permits, refugees and holders of subsidiary protection status;
a) A foreign spouse,
b) A foreign minor child from themselves or their spouse
c) A family residence permit may be granted to a dependent foreign child of the applicant or his/her spouse.
Documents to be submitted by the person applying for a residence permit:
- Application form,
- A signed or electronically signed replacement document for a passport or equivalent document,
- 4 biometric photographs,
- Additional documents if necessary, as appropriate to the situation.
3) Long-Term Residence Permit
Foreigners who may be granted a long-term residence permit:
Foreign citizens who have resided in Turkey for at least 8 years without interruption or who fullfil the conditions determined by the Ministry shall be issued an unlimited residence permit by the governorates upon the approval of the Ministry.
Documents Required for Obtaining a Long-Term Residence Permit:
- Application form,
- Original and photocopy of passport or equivalent document,
- 4 biometric photographs,
- Declaration of financial means sufficient for obtaining the residence permit,
- Health insurance,
- Original document with signature or stamp proving that he/she has not received social assistance for the last 3 years,
- Document proving that he/she is registered in the address registration system. This can be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics,
- Additional documents if necessary, depending on the situation.