The student residence permit is one of the types of residence permit applied for by foreign nationals wishing to study in Türkiye. In practice it is applied for mostly by students enrolled on associate degree, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes. Completing the process depends on assembling the necessary documents and carrying out the procedural steps without omission.
In this briefing note we address who the permit is granted to, the steps by which the application proceeds, the conditions required by law, the documents to be added to the file, the duration and cost of the permit, the regime governing extension and cancellation, the legal remedies available against refusals, and the effect on the permit of changes in the course of a student’s studies.
Who Is Granted a Student Residence Permit?
The student residence permit is a type of permit that allows foreign students to remain in Türkiye for as long as their studies continue. Foreign nationals who come to Türkiye at associate degree, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level, that is to say for the purpose of higher education, must obtain this permit.
The permit is not confined to students in higher education. A student residence permit may also be issued to foreign nationals who are to study at primary and secondary level and whose care and expenses are undertaken by a natural or legal person, provided that the consent of their parents or legal representatives is in place.
How Does the Application Process Work?
The permit is granted upon the foreign national applying to the provincial directorate of migration management with the necessary documents, having completed the procedural steps, after enrolling at a university.
The stages of the process proceed as follows:
- The starting point is enrolment at the university; the foreign national who is to request the permit must first acquire the status of student.
- Following enrolment, the permit application is created through the e-ikamet system; the form in the system is completed, printed out and signed. The accuracy of the information given in the form is of critical importance, since the migration authority will use the contact details there to reach the student and ask for any deficiencies to be remedied.
- The next step is preparing the documents required for the permit. Those documents are dealt with separately below.
- Once the documents are complete, the application is made to the provincial directorate of migration management. If a deficiency is identified in the file, the authority may contact the student and allow time for it to be remedied. Even where there is no deficiency, the authority has the power to request additional documents.
- At the final stage the migration authority assesses the application and decides upon it. If the request is granted, a residence permit document is issued and sent to the student’s address. In the event of refusal, the decision is served on the student, and with service the time limits for an objection and for an action for annulment begin to run. Those remedies are explained in detail below.
For details on how the application is made through the e-ikamet website, our study entitled "e-ikamet goc.gov.tr başvuru ve randevu" may be consulted.
Conditions Required for the Permit to Be Granted
The conditions for a student residence permit are laid down in Article 39 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. Under the Law, the matters required are as follows: that entry into Türkiye has been made by lawful means, that the requested information and documents are submitted, that the applicant is not among the persons banned from entering the country, and that the details of the address where the applicant will stay are notified to the authority.
Where these conditions cannot be met, other types of residence permit may come into consideration. For an assessment of the subject as a whole, our study entitled "oturma izni" may be examined.
What the Application File Must Contain
The documents to be submitted with a student residence permit application are as follows:
- The residence permit application form; it must be signed by the foreign national and/or their legal representative,
- A photocopy of the passport or of the document taking the place of a passport; the original of the document must be kept available for production on the day of the appointment,
- Four biometric photographs with a white background, taken within the last 6 months,
- A declaration that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the period of stay; this declaration is made in the application form, and the authority may request supporting documents,
- A document or receipt showing that the residence card fee has been paid; for those studying at international organisations and at embassy and consulate schools, a residence permit fee document or receipt is also required,
- Health insurance in force; the duration of the insurance must cover the period of the permit requested,
- A document establishing the place of residence,
- A student certificate,
- A criminal record.
Once these documents have been assembled, the application is made to the migration authority. However, as regards the production of health insurance and of the document establishing the place of residence, the legislation provides for more than one option. The basic criterion required for health insurance is that the period of insurance covers the period of the residence permit requested. There are 4 separate routes for meeting this condition, and it is sufficient for only one of them to be produced:
- A provision document obtained from the Social Security Institution (SGK), either with an electronic signature or signed and bearing a stamp or seal; for family residence permits this document must cover both the sponsor and the family members,
- A document, either with an electronic signature or signed and bearing a stamp or seal, relating to an application made to the Social Security Institution for the purpose of becoming insured under the universal health insurance scheme,
- A document issued by the provincial social security units, either with an electronic signature or signed and bearing a stamp or seal, showing that health services are benefited from in Türkiye under bilateral social security agreements,
- Private health insurance; the signed original of the policy bearing a stamp or seal is produced at the time of application.
As regards documenting the place of residence, 5 separate options are provided for; it is sufficient for one of them to be present:
- Where reliance is placed on a lease relationship, a notarised copy of the lease agreement,
- Where the applicant lives in a dwelling of which they are the owner, a photocopy of the title deed; for extension applications a certificate of residence is regarded as sufficient,
- Where the applicant stays in a student hall of residence, a document showing that they stay in the hall, either with an electronic signature or signed and bearing a seal or stamp,
- Where the applicant stays in a hotel or similar accommodation facility, documents showing that they stay there,
- Where the applicant stays with a third person, a notarised undertaking from that person; if that person is married, a notarised undertaking from their spouse is also required.
The Health Insurance Obligation
For a student residence permit to be granted, the foreign national must hold health insurance. The duration of the insurance must cover the period of study the student will spend in Türkiye.
A foreign student who enrols at a higher education institution in Türkiye and who applies for universal health insurance within 3 months of the date of enrolment is not additionally required to take out private health insurance.
A student who does not make an application for universal health insurance within that period cannot benefit from that scheme. In such a case, and where a residence permit of 1 year or longer is requested, the student must conclude a health insurance contract with one of the insurance companies operating in Türkiye, of a kind that will cover the period of study.
How Is the Duration of the Permit Determined?
The duration of the student residence permit is determined according to the duration of the higher education programme enrolled on. The permit granted to a student enrolled on a four-year bachelor’s programme will be for 4 years. In practice, periods of 2 years are seen for master’s programmes and of 3 years in cases such as specialist medical training.
In addition, under the second paragraph of Article 38 of the Law No. 6458, a student residence permit may also be granted for primary and secondary education to foreign children under parental custody, with the consent of their parents or legal representatives. The permit issued for such children may not exceed one year; the permit may, however, be renewed at the start of the following academic year.
How Long Does the Application Take?
A student residence permit is issued within an average of 30 days. In addition, once the application has been taken into process, the migration authority must give a decision granting or refusing it within 90 days. If no decision is given within that period, the application is deemed to have been refused.
The Cost of the Application
The total cost of a student residence permit application is approximately TRY 8,000 for 2023. That amount consists of a residence fee of TRY 3,000, a health insurance premium of TRY 3,000 and notary charges of TRY 2,000.
Cases in Which the Application Is Refused
A request for a student residence permit is refused in the following circumstances:
- Entry into the country was not made by lawful means,
- There is a ban on entry into the country,
- The applicant is among the persons banned from entering Türkiye,
- A deportation decision, even of a temporary nature, has been given in respect of the applicant,
- The requested information and documents are not submitted to the authority,
- The information relating to the address where the applicant will stay is not notified.
A foreign national whose request is refused has both the objection route and the action for annulment open to them against the decision.
Objection and Action for Annulment Against a Refusal
Where a student residence permit application is refused, it is possible both to pursue the administrative objection route and to bring an action for annulment. The objection route is concluded more quickly, and if the objection is rejected the right to bring an action is not lost. For this reason it is in practice more advantageous to pursue the objection route before going directly to the courts.
A foreign national whose permit request is refused may lodge an objection with the Presidency of Migration Management within 60 days, beginning on the day following service of the refusal decision. That objection suspends the time limit for bringing an action for annulment. Thus, if an objection is lodged on the thirtieth day after service of the refusal decision, an action for annulment may be brought within 30 days from the day following service of the decision rejecting the objection.
Where the Presidency expressly rejects the objection, or gives no reply for 30 days, the objection is deemed to have been rejected. In that situation, where the objection has been rejected, the foreign national’s right to bring an action continues to exist.
An action for annulment may be brought within 60 days from the day following service of the refusal decision on the foreign national. The court with subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction in that action is the administrative court of the place where the provincial directorate of migration management that gave the decision is located. If the court of first instance dismisses the action, it is possible to apply to the regional administrative court.
The time limits prescribed by law must be observed in respect of both routes. Moreover, the assertions put forward in the pleadings drawn up for these applications must be supported by legal grounds; otherwise the request may be refused. With a view to conducting the process quickly and effectively, it would be appropriate to obtain support from a lawyer experienced in this field.
Our study entitled "ikamet izni başvurusu reddi", in which the cancellation of residence permits and the legal remedies available against such decisions are addressed in detail, may also be examined.
Cancellation of the Permit
Cancellation of a student residence permit arises where the conditions on which the permit was based subsequently cease to exist, or where a deficiency that existed from the outset is subsequently identified. In both situations the authority cancels the permit. In addition, a finding that the foreign student has used the permit otherwise than for the purpose for which it was granted, or that their connection with the school has been severed, likewise results in cancellation.
All the grounds leading to the cancellation of residence permits, and the routes to be followed in the face of a cancellation decision, are addressed in our study entitled "oturma izninin iptali".
Objection and Action for Annulment Against a Cancellation
It is likewise possible to pursue the administrative objection route and to bring an action for annulment against the cancellation of a permit. The legal remedies available to the foreign student against such a decision are the same as those explained above in relation to refusal of an application.
Extension of the Permit
The extension of a student residence permit is effected by making an application through the e-ikamet website and then attending the provincial directorate of migration management with the necessary documents on the day and at the time notified. The application to the authority may be made from the moment sixty days remain until the permit expires, and must in any event be completed before the permit period runs out.
The conditions required for an extension request to be granted may be listed as follows:
- The application has been made within the time limit and the documents are complete,
- The general conditions required for residence are still present,
- The student has for whatever reason been unable to graduate within the time available and is continuing their studies,
- There is no deportation decision or ban on entry into Türkiye in respect of the student,
- No finding has been made that the permit has been used otherwise than for its purpose.
Where these conditions are present, the permit may be extended for a maximum of 1 year, provided that it does not exceed the period of study. If the studies are continuing at the end of one year, a further extension application may be made. Where the conditions cannot be met, or evidence emerges that the studies cannot be continued, the extension request is refused; the existing permit may even be cancelled.
Following the application, the foreign student is given a document that is not subject to any fee. That document allows the student to remain in the country until a decision on the extension is given.
A foreign national who, without a valid excuse, does not make an extension application within the time limit must leave the country within 10 days following the expiry of the permit. Otherwise, deportation may arise.
Documents Required for an Extension Application
The documents to be submitted with a request to extend a student residence permit are as follows:
- The online application form obtained from the e-ikamet system and signed by the foreign national and/or their legal representative,
- A photocopy of the page or pages of the passport, or of the document taking its place, containing the identity details,
- A photocopy of the most recent entry stamp,
- A photocopy of the visa; where there is an e-visa, a printout must be taken, and where no visa is required this step is unnecessary,
- A photocopy of the previous residence document,
- Four biometric photographs,
- Health insurance,
- A student certificate,
- The payment receipt relating to the residence card,
- An address form,
- A Social Security Institution (SGK) declaration,
- An acknowledgement of service document,
- An income declaration document.
CAUTION: Where the student is a minor, a consent statement given by the parent or legal representative and a birth certificate must be submitted in addition to the documents listed.
More comprehensive information on the subject may be obtained from our study entitled "ikamet izni uzatma", in which the permit extension processes of foreign students are examined in all their detail.
Refusal of an Extension Request
An extension application is refused where there is a deficiency in one of the conditions for extension or where the requested documents have not been submitted. Examples of a deficiency in the conditions include the studies no longer being pursued, or a finding that the permit has been used otherwise than for the purpose for which it was granted. If the request is refused, the right to object to the authority and to bring an action is reserved.
Objection and Action for Annulment Against a Refused Extension
A foreign student whose extension application is refused may pursue the objection route and bring an action for annulment against that decision. The procedure here is the same as the objection and action for annulment procedure applied against a refusal of a residence permit application.
The Cost of an Extension Application
The costs relating to the extension of a student residence permit stand at an average of TRY 8,000 as at 2023. That amount includes items such as the residence fee, the health insurance premium and notary charges.
Residence Permit for a Turkish Language Course
The residence permit granted for a Turkish language course is regulated under Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 under the heading of the short-term residence permit. This permit differs from the student residence permit; it does not require the holder to be a university student, and enrolment on a Turkish language course is sufficient.
For the permit to be issued, the foreign national must enrol on a Turkish language course approved by the Ministry of National Education. The permit in question may be granted for a period of at most two years and at most twice. It is not possible to issue a permit exceeding the duration of the course.
CAUTION: A foreign national who comes to Türkiye for university studies may encounter a Turkish preparatory class at the institution where they are enrolled. In that event there is no need to obtain the short-term residence permit provided for Turkish language courses; a residence permit is issued valid until the beginning of the following term.
Does a Student Residence Permit Confer the Right to Work?
A student residence permit is not on its own sufficient to work in Türkiye. Foreign nationals who wish to work must obtain a work permit in addition to a residence permit. Under Article 41 of the Law No. 6458, foreign university students holding a student residence permit may work on condition that they obtain a work permit.
Our study entitled "yabancı öğrenci çalışma izni", which sets out all the details of the process by which foreign nationals obtain a work permit, may be examined on this subject.
Graduating Before the Permit Expires
Since the duration of a student residence permit is limited to the period of study, the permit likewise comes to an end upon graduation. A foreign student who wishes to continue to remain in Türkiye must apply to the migration authority for a new residence permit within 10 days of the date of graduation.
Suspension of Enrolment and Severance from the School
Paragraph 13 of Article 35 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection regulates the matter expressly: "(…) where a student in higher education suspends their enrolment, the residence permit shall be discontinued as from the date of suspension of enrolment". Accordingly, the permit of a student who suspends their enrolment is discontinued. The outcome is the same for a student whose connection with the school is severed. A student whose permit is discontinued on either of these two grounds may make a new residence permit application within 15 days.
Change of University, Faculty or Department
A change of university, faculty or department does not bring the permit to an end. A foreign student who, during the period of study, transfers to another university in the same city or changes faculty or department must notify that fact to the provincial directorate of migration management within 20 days. Where a transfer is made to a university in another city, the notification period is 10 days.
The Right to Work of Master’s and Doctoral Students
Foreign students at master’s and doctoral level may exercise their right to work by means of a work permit obtained from the Ministry of Labour, Social Services and Family. An application to that end must be made to that Ministry.
Transferring Between Types of Residence Permit
A transfer application in respect of a student residence permit is made through the e-ikamet system on the website of the Presidency of Migration Management. The types of permit provided for in the legislation are the short-term residence permit, the long-term residence permit, the student residence permit, the family residence permit, the humanitarian residence permit and the residence permit for victims of human trafficking. Mutual transfer is possible between those types other than the humanitarian residence permit and the residence permit for victims of human trafficking.
The documents required differ for each type of permit. For details on the documents and procedure relating to the type to which a transfer is sought, our study entitled "ikamet izni geçiş başvurusu" may be examined.
Independent Legal’s Assessment
The student residence permit is a type of permit tied closely to the status of being a student. That tie means that every change in the course of a student’s studies, such as suspension of enrolment, severance of connection with the school or early graduation, directly affects the right of residence. A significant proportion of the losses of rights encountered in practice arise from failure to notice that the permit period has legally been discontinued, or from acting only after the time limits for notification and for a fresh application have been missed.
Where an application is not conducted in due form, a refusal decision may be given or a permit already granted may be cancelled. At that point, missing the time limits for the objection and action for annulment routes, or making errors in the procedural steps, may produce consequences extending as far as the deportation of the foreign national and their inability to continue their studies. In a particular file it is useful to review the following headings in advance:
- Checking whether the period of health insurance fully covers the period of the permit requested
- Monitoring, from the date of enrolment, the three-month period allowed for applying for universal health insurance
- Completing the extension application within the window that opens sixty days before the expiry of the permit, and before that period runs out
- Distinguishing, on a change of university, faculty or department, between the different notification periods provided for transfers within and outside the city
- Documenting the date of service of refusal or cancellation decisions and calculating the remaining part of the 60-day period, taking into account the suspensory effect of an objection
- Where there is an intention to work, planning from the outset for the fact that a residence permit is not sufficient on its own and that a work permit is also required
Independent Legal provides advisory services and conducts litigation in foreign students’ residence permit applications, in extension and transfer procedures, and in the administrative and judicial processes to be pursued against refusal and cancellation decisions.