Residence Permit in Türkiye: Types, Application Procedure and Required Documents

Where a stay in Türkiye extends beyond the period afforded by a visa or a visa exemption, the only instrument that preserves the foreigner’s legal status is the residence permit. The permit is divided into different types according to the reason for the person’s presence in the country; each type is subject to its own conditions, its own list of documents and its own regime of duration. There is therefore no single answer to the question "how is a residence permit obtained"; the answer is shaped by the purpose of the foreigner’s stay.

The process runs in two stages. First, an electronic preliminary application is made through the e-ikamet system and an appointment date is obtained; then, on the appointed day and hour, the file is delivered in person to the provincial directorate of migration management. A procedural error at either of these two stages may result in the file being refused without the merits being examined. Refused applications are not final, however: administrative objection and an action for annulment both remain open.

In this note we examine, in turn, the statutory definition of the residence permit, the technical flow of the application, the conditions and document sets of the six separate permit types, the validity periods of the permits, extension applications and applications to transfer between types, the legal remedies available where a permit is refused or cancelled, and the questions most frequently raised in practice.

Definition and Statutory Basis of the Residence Permit

A residence permit is the document that must be obtained by a foreigner who wishes to remain in Türkiye beyond the period afforded by a visa or a visa exemption, or beyond the 90-day ceiling. The lawfulness of the stay depends on this document.

The legal framework of the institution is drawn in Article 19 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458:

Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, Art. 19
"Foreigners who are to remain in Türkiye beyond the period afforded by a visa or a visa exemption, or beyond ninety days, are required to obtain a residence permit. A residence permit shall lose its validity where it has not begun to be used within six months."

The second sentence of the provision is frequently overlooked in practice. Even where a permit has been issued, the document loses its validity if it has not begun to be used within six months; the actual commencement of use therefore produces legal consequences just as the obtaining of the permit does.

How the Application Is Made

A residence permit is obtained by making an electronic application through the e-ikamet system, preparing the file for the appointment date allocated by the system, and applying to the provincial directorate of migration management.

The first step takes place electronically: the applicant creates the application on the e-ikamet website. This is not yet the final application but a preliminary application, and it results in a day and hour being allocated to the foreigner. Completion of the file occurs when the person attends that appointment at the provincial directorate of migration management with the requisite documents.

The acceptance of applications at representations abroad has not yet been brought into practice. Foreigners whose permit expires while they are themselves abroad may make their electronic application after entering Türkiye to the extent permitted by the visa regime in force between the two countries. It is also possible for the application to be conducted through a legal representative or a lawyer; the administration may nonetheless require the foreigner to be present in person.

A separate formal requirement applies to the documents the foreigner obtains from their own country and submits to the provincial directorate of migration management: those documents must bear an apostille and be produced together with a notarised Turkish translation.

Booking an Appointment through e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr

The process begins with the creation of the preliminary application through the e-ikamet system and the allocation of an appointment day and hour. During the electronic application the foreigner’s personal data are entered into the system and the application steps are completed in sequence.

Once all stages in the system have been finished, the foreigner must attend the provincial directorate of migration management with the document file on the date and at the hour notified to them. Where the appointment is missed without a valid excuse being put forward, the application is deemed never to have been made; this means that the process must be started again from the beginning.

The steps by which an application is created through e-ikamet and the manner in which the appointment is allocated are addressed in detail in a separate study entitled e-ikamet goc.gov.tr application and appointment.

Checking the Result of the Application

The stage the application has reached is likewise followed through the e-ikamet website. After logging in, the option "I want to see the result of my application" is used and the result is displayed by entering the foreigner’s application number.

General Conditions Required for All Permit Types

Whichever type is sought, the grant of a permit depends on two fundamental negative conditions: that the foreigner is not among those whose entry into Türkiye is barred, and that they are not among those to whom a visa cannot be issued.

Within this framework, a residence permit is not granted where any one of the following circumstances exists:

• Being subject to a ban on entry into Türkiye
• Holding no passport, document in lieu of a passport, visa, or residence or work permit; or it having been established that such documents and permits are forged or were obtained by fraudulent means
• Not holding a passport or a document in lieu of a passport valid for at least 60 days beyond the date on which the visa, the visa exemption or the residence permit expires
• Being assessed as objectionable in terms of public order or public security
• Carrying one of the diseases accepted as posing a threat to public health
• Bearing the status of accused or convicted person in respect of offences that may give rise to extradition
• Lacking valid health insurance covering the period of stay
• Being unable to base the purpose of entry into, transit through or stay in the country on a justified ground
• Not having sufficient and regular financial resources for the duration of the stay
• Refusing to pay the debts and penalties arising from a visa violation or from a previous residence permit

Passing these general eliminating criteria is not sufficient on its own; the conditions particular to the type of permit sought must also be satisfied. Those specific conditions are explained by type under the headings below.

If one of the listed circumstances exists at the time of the application, the request is refused. Where such circumstances arise after the permit has been granted, the result is cancellation of the permit.

Types of Residence Permit

The legislation provides for six separate residence permits corresponding to the purpose of the foreigner’s stay. These are the short-term residence permit, which covers the tourist, medical treatment, property acquisition and other sub-categories, 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.

Short-Term Residence Permit

The short-term residence permit is the type available to foreigners who plan to remain in Türkiye for longer than the period of their visa or visa exemption and who satisfy the conditions listed in Art. 32 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458.

The conditions required for this permit are as follows:

• Making the request on one or more of the grounds set out in Art. 31(1) of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 and submitting the information and documents supporting the request
• Not being among the foreigners refused entry into the country under Art. 7 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458
• Having accommodation that meets general health and safety standards
• Producing, where the administration so requires, a criminal record certificate issued by the competent authorities of the country of nationality or of lawful residence
• Declaring the address of stay in Türkiye

Documents Required for the Short-Term Permit Application

The documents that must be included in the file are as follows:

• Residence permit application form
• 4 biometric photographs
• Photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Declaration that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the duration of the stay
• Receipt or document showing that the permit fee and the card fee have been paid
• Valid health insurance
• Document showing registration in the address registration system
• Document establishing the place of accommodation (a notarised copy of the lease agreement, a photocopy of the title deed, or, where the stay is at a hotel or similar establishment, a letter from that establishment, etc.)
• Additional documents specific to the ground of stay (such as a visa matching the purpose for those coming for scientific research, or a document showing hospital admission and the commencement of treatment for those to receive medical treatment)

Where the application is made on behalf of a child, the following documents are added to the file:

• A certified birth certificate, where the identity of the parents cannot be established from a passport, a document in lieu of a passport or a national identity card
• A certified letter of consent where one of the parents is absent; a certified death certificate to be produced by the surviving spouse where one of the parents has died
• A certified custody document concerning the child where there has been a divorce

The scope of the short-term permit, who may apply for this type and the legal remedies available in the event of refusal or cancellation are examined comprehensively in a separate study entitled how to obtain a short-term residence permit.

Long-Term Residence Permit

The long-term residence permit is the indefinite permit granted to foreigners who have resided in Türkiye with a residence permit for at least 8 uninterrupted years or who meet the criteria determined by the Ministry of the Interior. A foreigner who qualifies for this permit acquires an indefinite right of residence without paying any fee.

The grant of the permit requires the conditions laid down in Art. 43 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 to have been met. Accordingly, the foreigner must have remained in Türkiye with a residence permit for 8 uninterrupted years, must not have benefited from social assistance in the last 3 years, must have a regular source of income sufficient for their own subsistence and, where applicable, that of their family, must hold valid health insurance and must not constitute a threat in terms of public order and public security.

Documents to Be Added to the Long-Term Permit File

The documents required for this type are as follows:

• Residence permit application form
• 4 biometric photographs
• Photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Photocopy of the previous residence permit document (the original of the document is handed over on the day of the appointment)
• Criminal record certificate
• The original of a signed and sealed document establishing that no social assistance has been received over the last 3 years (obtained from the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations attached to the governorships and district governorships)
• The original of a signed and sealed document showing that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the duration of the stay
• Receipt or document showing that the card fee has been paid
• Valid health insurance
• Document showing registration in the address registration system
• Document establishing the place of accommodation (such as a notarised copy of the lease agreement, a photocopy of the title deed, or a letter confirming a stay at a hotel or similar establishment)

The conditions of the long-term permit, the application procedure and the legal remedies to be pursued against adverse decisions are addressed in detail in a separate study entitled how to obtain a long-term residence permit.

Student Residence Permit

The student residence permit is the type granted to foreigners who are to study at an associate, undergraduate, master’s or doctoral level at a higher education institution in Türkiye.

Foreigners who are to receive education at primary and secondary level may also benefit from this permit. For that purpose, their care and expenses must be undertaken by a natural or legal person and the consent of the parent or legal representative must be present; the permit is valid for the duration of the studies.

Three conditions are required for this type: that the foreigner produce the information and documents establishing that they will study in Türkiye, that they not fall within the scope of foreigners refused entry into the country, and that they declare the address details at which they will stay in Türkiye.

Documents Required for the Student Permit

The student residence permit file contains the following documents:

• Residence permit application form
• 4 biometric photographs
• Photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Declaration that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the duration of the stay
• Receipt or document showing that the card fee has been paid
• Valid health insurance
• A student certificate where the administration so requires; this document may be obtained through the e-Devlet portal or from the institution attended, signed and sealed
• Document establishing the place of residence (such as a notarised copy of the lease agreement, a certificate of residence, or an electronically signed or signed and sealed document confirming a stay in a hall of residence)

The scope of the student permit, the application procedure and the remedies available in the event of refusal or cancellation are explained comprehensively in a separate study entitled how to obtain a student residence permit.

Family Residence Permit

The family residence permit is the type granted to the foreign spouse of Turkish citizens or of foreigners holding a residence permit, to their own or their spouse’s minor foreign child and to their dependent foreign child. The same permit also applies, in respect of holders of refugee and subsidiary protection status, to their own or their spouse’s minor foreign child and to their dependent foreign child.

This application involves two separate parties: the sponsor and the applicant. The sponsor is the person who undertakes the expenses of the foreigner who is to come to Türkiye and who is relied upon as the basis of the application.

The conditions required in respect of the sponsor are as follows:

• That the total income not fall below the minimum wage and that the income per person in the family not be less than one third of the minimum wage
• That, having regard to the number of family members, accommodation complying with general health and safety standards be available and that health insurance covering all family members have been taken out
• That, where the sponsor is a foreigner, they have been residing in Türkiye with a residence permit for at least 1 year
• That the sponsor be recorded in the address registration system
• That the sponsor have obtained a criminal record certificate

The conditions required in respect of the applicant foreigner are as follows:

• Where the application is made in the capacity of the sponsor’s foreign spouse, that this tie be proved by a marriage certificate or an equivalent document
• Where the application is made on behalf of a child, that the child be the minor or dependent adult child of the sponsor or of their spouse and that this be established by information and documents
• That it be shown that the applicant lives together with the sponsor or that there is an intention to live together
• That the marriage not have been entered into for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit
• That the applicant foreign spouse have completed 18 years of age
• That the conditions laid down for the sponsor, apart from the residence requirement, also be met by the applicant

Documents Required for the Family Permit

In this type the documents fall under two headings: those required from the applicant and those required from the sponsor.

The following documents are required from the applicant:

• Residence permit application form
• 4 biometric photographs
• Photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Receipts and documents showing that the residence fee and the card fee have been paid
• Photocopy of the marriage certificate or of the document proving that the applicant is married

Where the application is made on behalf of a child and concerns the minor child of the sponsor or of their spouse or a child for whom they are responsible, the following documents are added to the file:

• A certified birth certificate for the child, where the identity of the parents cannot be determined from a passport, a document in lieu of a passport or a national identity card
• A certified custody document concerning the child in the event of divorce; where custody is joint, a certified letter of consent issued by the other parent
• A certified death certificate where one of the parents has died

The documents required from the sponsor, who must be present at the application, are as follows:

• Where the sponsor is a Turkish citizen, the original and a photocopy of the identity card or population registration card
• Where the sponsor is a foreigner, a photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Photocopy of the residence and work permit document, the Blue Card, or the identity documents evidencing refugee or subsidiary protection status
• Criminal record certificate
• A certified and signed document showing that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the duration of the stay
• Document showing registration in the address registration system
• Valid health insurance covering all members of the family
• Document establishing the place of accommodation (such as a notarised copy of the lease agreement or a photocopy of the title deed)

The conditions of the family permit, the application procedure and the remedies to be pursued against adverse decisions are examined in detail in a separate study entitled how to obtain a family residence permit.

Tourist Residence Permit

The tourist residence permit is one of the sub-types of the short-term permit, applied for by foreigners who wish to be in Türkiye for tourism purposes.

The conditions required for this permit are as follows:

• Making the request by stating that the ground of stay is tourism and submitting the documents relating thereto
• Not falling within the scope of inadmissible passengers
• Having accommodation that meets general health and safety standards
• Producing, where so required, a criminal record certificate issued by the competent authorities of the country of nationality or of lawful residence
• Declaring the address of stay in Türkiye

Documents Required for the Tourist Permit

The file contains the following documents:

• Residence permit application form
• 4 biometric photographs
• Photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Declaration that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the duration of the stay
• Receipt or document showing that the permit fee and the card fee have been paid
• Valid health insurance
• Document showing registration in the address registration system
• Document establishing the place of accommodation (such as a notarised copy of the lease agreement, a photocopy of the title deed, or a letter confirming a stay at a hotel or similar establishment)
• Where the administration so requires, the travel plan together with information and documents relating to the place of accommodation

Where the permit is to be obtained on behalf of a child, the following documents are also required:

• A certified birth certificate, where the identity of the parents cannot be established from a passport, a document in lieu of a passport or a national identity card
• A certified letter of consent where one of the parents is absent; a certified death certificate to be produced by the other spouse where one of the parents has died
• A certified custody document concerning the child where there has been a divorce

The scope of the tourist permit, who may benefit from it and the legal remedies available in the event of refusal or cancellation are addressed comprehensively in a separate study entitled how to obtain a tourist residence permit.

Residence Permit for Medical Treatment

The residence permit for medical treatment is one of the sub-types of the short-term permit, directed at foreigners who plan to receive health services in our country or whose treatment is expected to last longer than the period of their visa.

The conditions required for this permit are as follows:

• Making the request on the ground of receiving medical treatment
• Obtaining and submitting the documents relating to the procedures from the hospital where the treatment is to take place
• Not being among the foreigners refused entry into the country
• Providing accommodation that meets general health and safety standards
• Producing, where so required, the document showing the criminal record
• Declaring the address details at which the person will stay in Türkiye

The legislation does not provide for a separate companion residence permit for persons who are to accompany a foreigner coming to the country for treatment. It is nonetheless possible for foreigners wishing to accompany the patient to apply for other types of permit.

A further possibility is that an arrangement such as a health cooperation protocol exists between Türkiye and the country of which the companion is a national. Where the protocol contains a provision concerning companions, a residence permit may not be required from that person.

Documents Required for the Medical Treatment Permit

The documents to be placed in the file for this type are as follows:

• Residence permit application form
• 4 biometric photographs
• Photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Declaration that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the duration of the stay
• Receipt or document showing that the permit fee and the card fee have been paid
• Valid health insurance
• Document establishing the place of accommodation (such as a notarised copy of the lease agreement, a photocopy of the title deed, or a letter confirming a stay at a hotel or similar establishment)
• A document obtained from the hospital showing the hospital admission record and that the treatment has commenced
• Where the administration so requires, the travel plan together with information and documents relating to the place of accommodation
• Receipt showing that the whole of the treatment costs has been paid; a health insurance policy covering those costs; or, where the costs are borne by the State, the document relating thereto
• A document issued by the chief physician of the hospital where the treatment is to take place and by the physician conducting the treatment, showing the duration of the treatment

The conditions of the medical treatment permit, the application procedure and the remedies to be pursued against adverse decisions are explained in detail in a separate study entitled how to obtain a residence permit for medical treatment.

Residence Permit through the Purchase of Property

The residence permit obtained through the purchase of property is the type available to foreigners who acquire immovable property in Türkiye that is residential in character and whose value exceeds the threshold of USD 75,000 in metropolitan municipalities and USD 50,000 in other provinces.

Family members holding shared or joint ownership of the residence may also apply for this permit. However, where a permit is to be sought on behalf of a spouse and children, the names of those persons must appear in the land register.

The applicant foreigner is first expected to satisfy the conditions required for the short-term residence permit. In addition, the immovable property purchased must also bear certain characteristics.

The conditions required in respect of the immovable property are as follows:

• That the immovable property be residential in character and be used for that purpose
• That the value of the residence be at least USD 75,000 within the boundaries of a metropolitan municipality and at least USD 50,000 within the boundaries of other provinces
• That the purchase price have been paid to the seller through a bank; the bank receipt is among the documents required in the file

Documents Required for the Property-Based Permit

The documents required for this type are as follows:

• Residence permit application form
• Valuation report establishing that the residence meets the minimum value
• 4 biometric photographs
• The original and a photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Photocopy of the official, electronically signed or signed and sealed document (title deed) showing that the residence belongs to the applicant
• Declaration that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the duration of the stay
• Receipts and documents showing that the residence fee and the card fee have been paid
• Valid health insurance
• Street-numbering certificate (obtained from the municipality)
• Title-deed continuity certificate (obtained from the land registry directorate)
• A current passport with a validity of at least 1 year
• Document showing registration in the address registration system (where a registration exists, this document is produced; where there is no registration in the system, the document is not required at the time of the application, but registration in the address registration system must be effected within 20 working days at the latest after the permit has been obtained)

The conditions of the permit based on the acquisition of property, the application procedure and the remedies to be pursued in the event of refusal or cancellation are addressed comprehensively in a separate study entitled how to obtain a residence permit by purchasing property in Türkiye.

Humanitarian Residence Permit

The humanitarian residence permit is a permit of an exceptional character granted on humanitarian grounds where the circumstances listed in Art. 46 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458 arise.

Under Article 46 of the Law, this permit comes into play in the following circumstances:

• Where the best interests of the child so require
• Where, notwithstanding a deportation decision or a decision banning entry into Türkiye, the departure of foreigners from the country cannot be secured or their leaving the country is not regarded as reasonable or possible
• Where there are persons in respect of whom no deportation decision may be taken pursuant to Art. 55 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458
• Where recourse is had to judicial remedies against decisions on deportation, on the inadmissibility of an application, or on an application having been withdrawn or deemed withdrawn
• The period during which the procedures for sending the applicant to the first country of asylum or to a safe third country are continuing
• Where foreigners whose entry into and stay in the country must be permitted for urgent reasons or for the protection of the country’s interests, public order and public security are unable to obtain one of the other types of permit because of circumstances constituting an obstacle to the grant of a permit
• Where extraordinary circumstances arise

In these circumstances the application may be made without the conditions laid down for the other types of permit being required. An additional obligation is also imposed on foreigners who obtain a humanitarian residence permit: they must register with the address registration system before 20 working days have elapsed from the day following the issue of the permit.

Documents Required for the Humanitarian Permit

In this type the set of documents consists of the application petition together with the documents supporting the assertions made in the petition. This is because a request for a humanitarian residence permit is submitted directly by petition to the provincial directorate of migration management. The petition must set out the humanitarian ground of the application in concrete terms and must be accompanied by the information and documents supporting the assertions.

The conditions of the humanitarian permit, the application procedure and the legal remedies to be pursued against adverse decisions are examined in detail in a separate study entitled how to obtain a humanitarian residence permit.

Residence Permit for Victims of Human Trafficking

This type of permit is granted to foreigners who are victims of human trafficking or in respect of whom there is strong suspicion that they may be. It is issued by the governorships for a period of 30 days; it may be extended in periods of 6 months each, and the total of the extensions may not exceed 3 years.

The conditions required for the other types of permit do not apply to this permit.

Validity Periods of Residence Permits

The duration of the permit varies between 30 days and 5 years depending on the type applied for. The periods by type are set out below.

• In short-term residence permits the rule is that they are issued in periods not exceeding 2 years at a time. Foreigners who do not work in Türkiye and who obtain a permit through investment, together with their foreign spouse, their own or their spouse’s minor or dependent foreign child, and citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, are granted permits for periods of up to 5 years.
• Those who have completed their higher education in Türkiye and who apply within 6 months of graduation are issued, on one occasion only, a permit with a duration of up to 1 year.
• Those who are to attend a Turkish language course are granted a permit on no more than 2 occasions and for periods of 2 years each time.
• In the family residence permit each issue may not exceed 3 years; moreover, this period may under no circumstances extend beyond the duration of the permit granted to the sponsor.
• The student residence permit is issued so as to cover the period over which the studies will continue. Where the period of study is shorter than 1 year, the permit may not exceed that period either. In respect of foreigners who come to the country through the intermediary of public institutions and organisations in order to receive education, the permit may likewise be issued so as to cover the period over which the education continues.
• Foreigners who are to receive education at primary and secondary level and whose care and expenses are undertaken by a natural or legal person may, with the consent of the parent or legal representative, be granted a student permit, or have it extended, in periods of 1 year each for the duration of their studies.
• The long-term residence permit is issued to the applicant for an indefinite period.
• The residence permit for victims of human trafficking is granted for a period of 30 days; it may be continued by extensions of 6 months each, so as not to exceed 3 years in total.
• The permit for tourism purposes, the permit for medical treatment and the permit obtained by purchasing property are issued for periods of up to 2 years each.
• The duration of the humanitarian residence permit is determined by the provincial directorate of migration management to which the application was made, having assessed the situation of the foreigner. That period remains within the limits set by the Ministry of the Interior and is granted with the approval of the Directorate General of Migration Management; in practice it is most often issued for 1 year.

How Long Does It Take for the Application to Be Concluded?

Under the statutory provisions, a residence permit application is decided within 90 days at the latest. That period starts on the date on which the information and documents are delivered in full to the competent authority. The picture in practice is faster: permits are issued on average within 10-30 days. In the humanitarian permit, the process is completed on average within 3-6 months.

Obtaining the permit depends not only on the collection of documents but also on the procedural steps being conducted correctly. Errors made at these stages may lead to the refusal of the application and may equally cause the process to be prolonged. For that reason, constructing the file correctly from the outset is decisive for obtaining the permit in the shortest possible time.

Fees and Costs

The costs of a residence permit stood at an average of TRY 8,000 as at 2023.

May a Person Stay in Türkiye without a Residence Permit?

As a rule, it is not possible to remain in the country without obtaining a permit. There are, however, two exceptions: foreigners may stay without any need for a permit for the period afforded by their visa or visa exemption; and foreigners who are exempt from the residence permit may likewise be present in Türkiye without obtaining a separate permit.

The persons who may stay in the country without a residence permit are as follows:

• Foreigners holding a work permit
• Holders of an Immigrant Certificate
• Persons carrying a Temporary Protection Certificate
• Those who have lost Turkish citizenship by permission to renounce it
• Foreigners holding a Stateless Person Identity Document
• Foreigners carrying a valid International Protection Applicant Identity Document, Registration Certificate or International Protection Status Holder Identity Document
• Diplomatic and consular officers serving in our country, together with the family members notified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreigners who wish to continue their stay in the country although their exemption has come to an end may make an application provided that they meet the conditions of one of the types of permit regulated by the Law. Such applications are made to the provincial directorate of migration management in the place where the person is located.

Extension of the Residence Permit

Extension requests are likewise submitted through the e-ikamet system. The application becomes available 60 days before the existing permit expires and must in every case be completed before the permit period runs out.

Following the electronic application, the foreigner is notified of a day and hour for attendance at the provincial directorate of migration management. The foreigner must be present at the directorate on the appointed date together with the requisite documents.

PLEASE NOTE: In extension applications, the procedure of sending documents by registered PTT post or by courier was abolished as at 2 May 2019 and replaced by the appointment system.

Common Documents Required in Extension Applications

The following documents are required for the extension of the residence permit document:

• Application form
• 4 biometric photographs
• Notarised photocopy of the passport or of the document in lieu of a passport
• Valid health insurance (such as private health insurance covering the extended period, or a signed and stamped provision document obtained from the Social Security Institution (SGK))
• Declaration that sufficient and regular financial means are available for the duration of the stay

The content of the extension file differs according to the type of permit. Those listed above are the documents common to all types. Alongside them, the documents specific to the type of permit whose extension is sought must also be added. In other words, although there is a common core set of documents for every type, the file is completed according to the type.

How the extension procedure is to be conducted for each type of permit and which documents are required are explained in detail in a separate study entitled residence permit extension.

Applications to Transfer between Types of Residence Permit

A transfer application is one made where the ground underlying the existing permit ceases to exist or where a new ground arises that requires an application for a different type of permit. For instance, a foreigner present in Türkiye with a short-term permit may transfer to a family residence permit upon marrying a Turkish citizen, provided the other conditions are also met.

Who may make a transfer application, the procedure by which it may be made and the remedies to be pursued against adverse decisions are addressed comprehensively in a separate study entitled residence permit transfer application.

Refusal of the Application, Cancellation or Non-Extension of the Permit

The administration may refuse the request, cancel an existing permit or decline an extension request in the following circumstances:

• Where the conditions of the type of permit applied for are not met
• Where the documents relating to the type are not placed in the file in full
• Where a period is prescribed by law and the application is not made within that period
• Where one or more of the conditions underlying the permit are not met or subsequently cease to exist
• Where it is established that the document has been used outside the purpose for which it was issued
• Where a decision banning entry into the country or a deportation decision is taken in respect of the foreigner

Where the request is refused, no new application on the same ground of stay may be made for 6 months. There is, on the other hand, no obstacle to making an application within that period on a different ground of stay.

Objection and Action for Annulment

Where the application is refused, the existing permit is cancelled or the extension request is not granted, two legal avenues are open to the foreigner. The first is to lodge an objection with the administrative authority that took the act, or with the superior authority. The second is to bring an action for annulment directly.

The objection is addressed to the Presidency of Migration Management within 60 days beginning on the day following notification of the decision. The administration must decide the objection within 30 days. If no answer is given within that period, the request is deemed to have been refused and the foreigner may proceed to an action for annulment.

It is also possible for the foreigner to bring an action directly, bypassing the objection stage. The action is brought by a petition to be submitted to the administrative court within the 60-day period beginning on the day following notification.

The legal avenues that may be pursued where a permit request is refused, or the permit is cancelled or not extended, are examined in full detail in separate studies entitled cancellation of the residence permit and refusal of the residence permit application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Set out below are answers to the questions most frequently raised in practice by foreigners going through the residence permit process.

May a Foreigner Who Has Committed a Visa Violation Obtain a Residence Permit?

Where the violation exceeds 10 days from the expiry of the lawful period of stay, it is not possible, save in limited exceptions, for the foreigner to obtain a permit without leaving the country. In order to make a permit application, the person must travel to their own country or to another country and enter Türkiye again. This is because the additional period during which a person may remain in the country after the lawful period of stay has expired is 10 days at most.

What Measures Are Taken against a Foreigner Staying without a Permit?

An administrative fine is imposed on foreigners who remain in Türkiye without a residence permit within the framework of Art. 9 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, a ban on entry into the country is imposed and a deportation decision is taken. The longer the period of unlawful stay, the longer the entry ban imposed on the foreigner may become, extending to up to 5 years.

How Long Must the Passport Remain Valid?

The period of validity of the applicant’s passport or of the document in lieu of a passport must be 60 days longer than the duration of the type of permit sought.

What Balance Is Required in the Bank Account?

In short-term and student permits, the declaration of the foreigner is regarded as sufficient unless the administration requires further information or documents. In the family permit, the sponsor is required to have an income the total of which does not fall below the minimum wage and which is not less than one third of the minimum wage per person. In the long-term permit, the existence of a sufficient and regular income is required.

In establishing sufficient and regular income, an income at the level of the monthly minimum wage may be regarded as sufficient, and the existence of an income-generating immovable property or of a balance in a bank account considered suitable to meet the person’s subsistence in Türkiye is likewise accepted.

Where Is Health Insurance for Foreigners Obtained?

Insurance may be obtained from private insurance companies, from the Social Security Institution (SGK) or from the provincial social security units. In order to satisfy this condition, it is sufficient to submit one of the following documents:

• A signed and sealed document obtained from the provincial social security units showing that health services are being benefited from in Türkiye under bilateral social security agreements
• A signed and sealed provision document obtained from the Social Security Institution (SGK) (in family permits, the SGK provision must cover both the sponsor and the members of the family)
• Private health insurance; the policy must have a duration of at least 1 year and the signed and sealed original must be submitted at the time of the application
• A signed and sealed document relating to an application made to the Social Security Institution (SGK) for the purpose of becoming insured under the universal health insurance

The duration of the insurance must cover the duration of the permit sought.

What Is the Purpose of the Residence Permit Application Document?

This document is given to the foreigner upon completion of the application and confers a right of lawful stay in the country for 90 days from the date of the application.

Is It Possible to Travel Abroad before the Application Is Concluded?

It is possible, on condition that the following two documents are held: the Residence Permit Application Document approved by the directorate, and the fee receipt. With those documents, the person may leave the country on condition of returning within 15 days. Where the stay abroad exceeds 15 days, the visa provisions apply to the foreigner’s re-entry into the country.

What Happens If the Visa or Permit Expires before the Appointment Day?

Foreigners whose visa or residence period ends before the appointment date may remain in Türkiye until the day of the appointment on the basis of the application form. Accordingly, a foreigner whose permit expires before the appointment date arrives may, thanks to the preliminary application form created through the e-ikamet system, continue to be present in the country until the appointment date.

How Long May a Foreigner without a Residence Permit Stay?

A permit is compulsory for foreigners who are to stay beyond the period afforded by a visa or a visa exemption, or beyond 90 days. Accordingly, foreigners may be present in Türkiye without obtaining a permit for as long as they hold a valid visa or visa exemption, or where they stay for no more than 90 days.

Independent Legal Assessment

How a residence permit is to be obtained varies according to the type for which the foreigner applies. A separate procedure must be followed for each foreigner and the file must be built with the set of documents specific to that type. Collecting the documents is not sufficient on its own; the procedural steps being taken in the correct order and within time is the second element that determines the fate of the application.

A significant proportion of the refusal decisions encountered in practice stem not from the merits but from procedural shortcomings. Failure to attend the appointment, insurance that does not cover the duration of the permit, a passport whose validity does not provide the 60-day margin, or documents obtained from a foreign country that do not meet the requirement of an apostille and a notarised translation are foremost among these shortcomings. The fact that, once a refusal decision has been given, no fresh application may be made on the same ground of stay for 6 months makes the correct preparation of the first file all the more important.

When drawing up a road map in a concrete application, the following headings should be prioritised:

• Placing the purpose of the stay within the correct type of permit and, where necessary, assessing the possibility of a transfer application from the outset
• Calculating the time-bound elements such as passport validity, the scope of health insurance and address registration by reference to the appointment date
• Meeting in full the requirement of an apostille and a notarised translation for documents obtained from abroad
• Establishing by documentary evidence the income and accommodation conditions relating to the sponsor in the family permit
• Monitoring the 60-day objection and action periods from the date of notification in decisions refusing, cancelling or declining to extend a permit
• Analysing, in files involving a visa violation, whether departure and re-entry are required before the application

Independent Legal provides advisory and litigation services throughout the entire process in the field of immigration law, from the preparation of residence permit applications to the conduct of actions to be brought against refusal and cancellation decisions.