The ultimate guide to getting a Turkish residency permit

When planning a trip to Türkiye, one must know the regulations and requirements surrounding visa exemptions and residence permits. Foreign nationals who intend to stay in Türkiye beyond the time limit specified on their visa must obtain a residence permit from the Turkish authorities. Additionally, those who require an exemption from the standard visa requirements or plan to stay for more than 90 days must apply for a residency permit before their trip begins.

This process can be pretty complex and often involves multiple steps and paperwork. Therefore, it is essential to carefully research your options and start the application process well before your intended departure date. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the steps required to obtain a residence permit in Türkiye without any complications.

1. What is a residence permit in Turkey, and what are the benefits of having one?

A residence permit in Turkey is a document that allows you to stay in the country for an extended period. Typically, this is granted to foreign nationals who have either been offered employment or have other valid reasons for staying in the country. The main benefit of having a residence permit is that it allows you to legally live and work in Turkey, giving you access to various opportunities and benefits. For example, you can take advantage of the country’s low cost of living, favorable tax policies, and diverse cultural attractions.

You can also gain greater professional and academic mobility if you hold a residence permit since this can help to boost your chances of getting accepted into schools or getting hired for jobs. Additionally, a residence permit can make it easier for family members not originally from Turkey to pursue their education or career goals. Overall, a residence permit is an important asset that can open many doors for you and your family in Turkey.

2. The types of residence permits that are available in Turkey

Short-term residence permit :

When applying for a short-term residence permit in Türkiye, you must be prepared to provide certain documents to the relevant provincial migration management office. These documents typically include proof of real estate ownership or documentation that you plan to establish a business or make other business connections in Türkiye. Additionally, you may need to provide additional information, such as details about any investments you plan to make and documentation verifying your family status.

A short-term residence permit is generally valid for two years at a time. Still, investors who can show that they plan to invest significant amounts in Türkiye may be able to obtain permits with more extended validity periods. Furthermore, these individuals may be eligible to apply for full Turkish citizenship or even a long-term residence permit, depending on the scope and nature of their investments. Regardless of your specific situation, it is imperative that you take care to submit all required documents carefully and accurately when applying for a short-term residence permit in Türkiye. With the proper preparation and attention to detail, you can give yourself the best chance of possible success in this process.

Long-term residence permit :

If you are seeking long-term residence in Türkiye, you must know what documents you must submit to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. To qualify for a long-term residence permit, you must have resided in Türkiye for at least eight years. Additionally, your long-term permit will be issued indefinitely and thus does not require any extensions or renewals.

To begin the application process, you must first gather all the necessary documents, including proof of identity and citizenship, as well as documentation of your work history and living arrangements in the country. With these materials in hand, you can submit your application and begin the journey toward achieving your goal of long-term residency in Türkiye. Whether you are seeking new opportunities or want to call this fantastic country home, a long-term residence permit is an essential first step. 

3. How to apply for a Turkish residence permit for the first time

• 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 the residence permit and card fees
• Title deed proving the applicant’s ownership for foreigners who own property in Turkey
• Valid health insurance

4. Turkish residence permit by real estate investment:

The Turkish government has set a minimum investment budget to buy a property worth a minimum of $75,000 by value for investors to qualify for a permanent residency in Istanbul real estate. For other cities like Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, Gaziantep, Adana, and Mersin, the minimum value for the property should be $ 50.000 to obtain the real estate Residence Permit

Below are the steps that will help you get a Residence Permit with a property worth a minimum of $75,000: 

• Get the title deed (Tapu) after the purchase
• Obtain the property evaluation report
• Schedule an application for a Real Estate Residence Permit
• Compile the required paperwork to obtain Real Estate Residence Permit in Turkey
• Attend the interview at the Migration Directorate 
• Deliver the necessary paperwork and documentation to the accountable employee
• Wait for the approval of the Real Estate Residence Permit by the Immigration Department

Once the application for the Residence Permit is approved, the Residency card will be delivered to the registered address written on the submitted work paper.

For the documents that are required to apply for a real estate Residence Permit, you will need the following:

• Completed Real Estate Residence Permit Application Form
• A valid passport period of no less than six months
• A copy of the stamp for the last entry into Turkey
• Seismic insurance for the property (DASK)
• Medical insurance
• Four biometric photos.
• The title deed document filed under the property owner’s name
• The real estate evaluation report must be equal to the mentioned minimum standards to ensure approval for the real estate residency.
• A family book translated into Turkish and certified by the notary public in Turkey ( if you are also applying for your family members ) 

5. How to extend your Turkish residence permit:

To extend your residence permit in Türkiye , you must submit the following documents to İl Göç Idaresi Müdürlüğü within five business days of applying through the e-residence system (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr). The application deadline is 60 days before its expiration date, but no extensions will be given after this point; therefore, all applications must be submitted early!

• Residence permit application Form
• A notarized copy of a passport or equivalent travel document 
• Four biometric pictures
• 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 for foreigners who own property in Turkiye
• Valid medical insurance

6. Residence Permit for International Students:

If you are a foreigner pursuing your studies in Türkiye; you can get from one to two years of residence permits with a chance to extend or re-apply for it when needed depending on your studies period; the required documents are:

• Completed Residence Permit application form
• Four biometric pictures
• Passport copy
• A copy of the stamp for the last entry into Turkey
• Student Certificate
• Valid Health Insurance
• Receipts for the payment of the residence permit and card fees (160 TL)

Foreigners who intend to establish or make business connections in Turkey must submit the following documents:

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

Applying for a Turkish residence permit doesn’t have to be daunting. As long as you have all the required documents and follow the steps outlined in this blog post, you should be able to obtain your permit without any issues.