Temporary Residence Permits In Turkey

Travelling to Turkey and looking for temporary residence? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! Discover the gateway to the crossroads of cultures with a Temporary Residence Permit in Turkey.

This article is your map through the bustling bazaars and serene landscapes of the Turkish residence permit process. Whether you’re an expat dreaming of Istanbul’s skyline or the tranquility of the Aegean coast, we’ll guide you through each step to ensure your journey is as mesmerizing as Turkey itself.

Let’s dive in!

What Is A Turkish Residence Permit?

A Turkish Residence Permit is an authorization to remain in Turkey for over three months in half a year for purposes such as settlement, working, or studying.

A residence permit enables you to live in Turkey, study, get married, convert to a Turkish driver’s license, get a tax number, open a bank account, purchase property, make investments, and much more.

Who Needs A Turkish Residence Permit?

Every person who moves to Turkey intending to remain in the country for more than three months must get a Turkey Residence Permit upon arrival. With a residence permit, your stay in Turkey will be considered legal.

There are different ways to obtain Turkish residence, From tourist to permanent residency, business, study, and other cases.

You will be exempt from this requirement if one of the following applies to you:

You have a “registration certificate” for international protection applications.
You are exempt from a residence permit under reciprocal or multilateral conventions to which the Republic of Turkey is also a party.
You are a diplomat or consulate officer who holds office in Turkey.
You work for representative offices of international establishments in Turkey.
Your identity card contains one of the following tags;
1. International protection applicant
2. International protection status
3. Statelessness

You have a valid work permit.

What Is A Temporary Residence Permit In Turkey?

One of the ways to stay in Turkey is a temporary or tourist stay. According to the rules of the Turkish Immigration Department, the duration of a tourist stay is only six months and cannot be extended.

Any foreigner who enters this country can live in Turkey without a visa for 90 days out of every 180 days.

But if you want to use the entire 6-month tourist stay, you must apply for a short-term residence permit before the end of the first three months of your visit.

It is possible to get a tourist residence after entering the territory of Turkey and on the condition of submitting a notarized contract for renting a house in Turkey (a home that is not in the prohibited areas).

After you arrive in Turkey, you need to rent an apartment or house for your temporary residence to be approved.

Turkey’s residence permit cost for tourist residences is equal to the annual rent of a house, and the additional residence permit for Turkey to obtain accommodation is low.

One of the most critical conditions for receiving a tourist residence and agreeing to your request is having the financial ability to stay in Turkey and having a travel and tourism plan (travel plan).

Of course, your request will be rejected for the following reasons:

Having a criminal record
Having a history of deportation
Not appearing on the scheduled date for the interview at the Turkish Immigration Office.
Postponing the residence request to the last days of 90 days of visa-free stay

What Are The Other Types Of Residence Permits?

Depending on the visa type you hold, the purpose of application, and the intended period of residence in Turkey, you can apply for one of the following residence permits:

Family Residence Permit

A family residence permit can be granted to the foreign spouse of a Turkish national, their minor children, and their dependent foreign child.

The sponsor must have enough income to support those applying for a residence permit for them to get the permit.

Student Residence Permit

You can get a student residence permit in Turkey to enroll in primary or secondary education. If you already have a family residence permit, you will not need this one.

You will be eligible to apply for this residence also if you are planning to study at the levels of the following degrees in a higher education institution in Turkey;

Associate degree
bachelor’s degree
master’s degree
Doctorate
specialty training in medicine (TUS)
specialty training in dentistry (DUS)

Long-Term Residence Permit

Suppose you have resided in Turkey for at least eight years uninterruptedly under a residence permit issued by the Turkish authorities. In that case, you can apply for a Turkish long-term permit with an indefinite validity.

Note that if you have resided in Turkey for the specified period as a refugee, conditional refugee and secondary protection status holder, humanitarian residence permit holder, and temporary protection, you are not eligible to apply.

Humanitarian Residence Permit

You can apply for this residence permit in Turkey without a valid visa or residence permit.

Still, no deportation decision has been taken against you; you are waiting for your deportation, or you cannot return to your country of residence due to emergency reasons.

Residence Permit For Victims Of Human Trafficking

If you are a victim of human trafficking and you are in Turkey, you can apply for this residence permit.

Turkish Residence Permit Conditions

The first step is to enter Turkey. It does not matter if you entered Turkey by air or by land; the stamp of entry to Turkey must be included in your passport.

From the first day you enter this country, you are allowed to stay in Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days, but to obtain a tourist residence and permanent residence, you must go through the following steps:

Procedures For Obtaining A Tourist Residence

Buy a Turkish SIM card
Official rental of a house or apartment outside the restricted areas
Getting insurance for people between 18 and 65 years old
Completing and sending the appointment form
Completion of the required documents for the immigration office interview (4 pieces of biometric photos, a copy of the first page of the passport, a copy of the stamp of entry to Turkey on the passport, and a color printout of the rendezvous)

Completing the documents of other family members:

Marriage certificate and its official translation in Istanbul
The Turkish language with the seal of the consulate
Birth certificates of children and their official translation in Istanbul Turkish language.

What Are The Required Documents For A Turkish Residence Permit?

On the day of your appointment, you must submit several documents at the nearest office of the Directorate General of Migration Management.

The required documents for a Turkish residence permit are as follows:

Residence permit application form.
Four biometric photographs according to Turkey’s requirements.
Original passport.
Notarized copy of the passport or travel document.
Proof of sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay. You must prove you have at least 15,733 TRY in your bank for each month you spend in Turkey or present proof that you will receive that amount monthly.
Evidence of Health Insurance.

You may have to submit additional documents according to your situation, the type of residence permit you are applying for, and your nationality. Make sure you submit them all on time, as required.

What Is The Turkish Residence Permit Validity?

The validity of a Residence Permit in Turkey depends on the type of permit that you hold, as follows:

Short-term residence permits can be issued for a maximum of two years.
Long-term residence permits are issued with indefinite validity.
The validity of a Student Residence Permit depends on the length of studies. If your education period is less than one year, the residence permit period must be at most the education period.
The family residence permit may be issued for a period not exceeding three years at a time.
The permit for humanitarian residence is granted and extended for a maximum period of one year.
The residence permit for the victims of human trafficking is issued for thirty days.

What Are The Turkish Residence Permit Requirements And New Rules?

There are several essential points that you should pay attention to when obtaining Turkish residence permits:

Your 6-month tourist stay is calculated precisely from the first day you enter Turkey, and you are using a 3-month visa-free stay. So, if you intend to get a temporary residence, do it right from the moment you arrive in Turkey, and only postpone it until the last days.
The property you choose to rent or buy is not located in prohibited areas. The residence requests of people whose property or apartment is in prohibited neighborhoods will not be accepted.
Considering that rental houses in Turkey are rare due to high demand, most owners, in addition to the mortgage amount, receive six months or one year’s rent when handing over the house in one lump sum.
If you want to obtain a residence permit in Turkey, the property you wish to must be residential.
You have no restrictions on buying a new or second-hand property and buying the desired property in cash or installments; only the purchased property must not be in prohibited areas.
It is mandatory to have a certificate of financial ability and a travel-tourism plan to apply for a tourist residence.

What Are The Points To Consider Before Moving To Turkey?

Obtaining Residency And Health Insurance

First, you should obtain a resident visa and health insurance coverage to move to Turkey. Many foreigners join the government-run SGK scheme, which covers couples and those over 65.

Getting A Work Permit

Before moving to Turkey, expats should look for work because getting a job in Turkey can be challenging. Employers in Turkey who wish to hire a foreign worker must adhere strictly to a set of regulations.

Additionally, owning a business only inevitably provides you with employment opportunities. Lastly, do not work illegally; you risk being penalized and deported instantly.

Preparing Your Finances

It would help if you first determine your monthly expenses to determine whether you can financially make the move.

When the exchange rate fluctuates daily, converting between your home country’s currency and the Turkish lira might be challenging.

Having multiple residences in many countries necessitates high financial management expertise. Make sure you are on top of your money by tracking your income, expenses, and savings.

Renting Or Buying A Property In Turkey

Some people buy property right away, while others rent for six months or a year to evaluate if they enjoy where they are living before committing.

Please browse our selection of apartments and villas for sale in Turkey to find the perfect place to call home.

Price, location, home features, and contact information are included in each listing so you can quickly learn more or schedule a viewing.

Learning The Turkish Language

Learn Turkish to live in a small village in central Anatolia or southeast Turkey. Similarly, even though most Turks in Istanbul know English, you will still need help, particularly if you enter the workforce.

Many foreigners relocate to tourist cities along the Aegean and Mediterranean shores, where inhabitants are fluent in English, German, and Russian.

As a result, their daily lives are unaffected, and they rely on Turkish friends for translation services when needed. The linguistic barrier can be easily crossed.

It would help if you learned as much as possible to enhance your overall well-being and happiness. It will add up even if you only say one word a day.

Choosing Where To Live In Turkey

Turkey is a very diverse country in terms of geography and society. Decide whether you want modern, metropolitan-style cities or smaller towns that keep their traditional Turkish charm.

A move to Istanbul will be your best bet if you’re looking for the energy and excitement of city life.

Istanbul is a one-of-a-kind city that welcomes people from all walks of life. Istanbul is much less expensive than other major European cities, which gives it a great advantage.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our voyage through the intricacies of obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit in Turkey, remember that this journey is more than paperwork—it’s your key to a rich tapestry of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

With the insights gained here, embark confidently on your Turkish adventure, knowing you’re well-prepared to navigate the residency process.

Residency Unlocked!

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