Residence Permit in Turkey: 12 Frequently Asked Questions & Trusted Expert Answers

Getting a residence permit in Turkey is one the most important steps in building your new life here! In this article we will take a look at some of these basic questions related to the topic and outline the general application process.

While it’s important to do your research during this process, you should also keep in mind that trends in immigration are continuously changing and the decisions are often difficult to predict due to various social, political and economic developments. 

This is why we advise all applicants to minimize their risk of rejection by filling out their application without inaccuracies or inconsistent information. If you need help getting through a residence permit application in Turkey or just looking for some tips and tricks before getting started, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us now for an opportunity to have your application in the best standing as possible. 

12 Frequently Asked Questions on Your Residence Permit in Turkey

1. What is a residence permit?

A residence permit qualifies the holder to live in the country legally and grants access to many public resources. In Turkey, residence permit holders receive an ID card that includes the foreigner national ID number, otherwise known as yabancı kimlik numarası.

This card can be used as a valid ID in many official and non-official purposes, such as entering and leaving the country, registering for utilities, opening a bank account, etc. 

2. Who can apply for a residence permit in Turkey?

People can apply for a residence permit in Turkey as long as they have the necessary documents. The application should be made from within the country while the applicant is on a valid visa, visa exemption, or residence permit without any violations.

If the application is being submitted by the applicant themselves, they need to legally be of age (18) and capacity. Each residence permit type has different requirements from the applicants. 

3. How can I get a residence permit in Turkey?

A residence permit application can be made online through the e-ikamet portal https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/. To start, you should know what type of residence permit you are applying for and ensure that you meet the requirements of your chosen type of residence permit.

After the application is submitted, you will be notified of the appointment which you need to attend at a branch of the Immigration Office, aka Göç İdaresi in the city that you are applying.

This appointment will be a face-to-face meeting with an immigration officer where you are required to submit your documents. After this process, you will be notified of an approval, a rejection, or you will be given 30 days to submit the missing or requested documents. 

4. What kind of residence permit in Turkey can I apply for?

There are 4 different types of residence permits that you can apply for. This article is a guide on the basic properties and requirements for each type of residence permit. It is possible to do a renewal application, a transfer application, or a new application.

5. What documents do I need to apply for a residence permit in Turkey?

Each type of residence permit requires different documents from the applicant. For detailed information on required documents for each type of residence permit check out the official link.

In recent experiences from people attending their appointments, they are often asked to restate their purpose of stay and allowed to submit supplementary documents. 

6. How long does it take to receive an application decision?

After attending the appointment, your application decision will be available typically within a few weeks.

7. Where can I check my residence permit application decision?

You can check the application decision through the ikamet portal.

8. How long is a residence permit in Turkey valid for?

Each residence permit has a different duration. Short-term residence permits can be given for a maximum of 2 years. Long-term residence permits do not have a specific limit for duration. Other permit types also vary in terms of length.

9. What happens when a residence permit in Turkey expires?

An expired residence permit is no longer valid. If your residence permit has expired, you are required to leave the country immediately. 

In order to apply for a residence permit again, you need to be in the country on a valid residence permit or a visa. If your residence permit has expired, you can apply after leaving the country and returning on a valid visa, at which point it becomes a ‘first time’ application once again. 

10. What can I do if my residence permit application in Turkey is rejected?

A residence permit application can be rejected on the basis of an article of Turkish Immigration Law. To find out more details about your reason of rejection, you can call the number #157. 

It is possible to appeal a rejection through the court system. In this case, your lawyer can take on the case with a power of attorney even if you are forced to leave the country.

Currently, you are obliged to leave in the 10-day window given to you with your rejection (or before the end of visa if it is longer in duration). We strongly recommend you go and receive the official paperwork for your rejection to simplify your exit when leaving the country, as otherwise you will likely face complications at passport control.

11. Can I appeal a previous rejection?

The window for appealing a residence permit rejection is 60 days from the time of rejection. This does not mean that you have the right to stay in the country for 60 days. In fact, overstaying the time given to you will negatively affect your chances of a successful appeal. 

12. Can I re-apply for a residence permit after receiving a rejection?

After getting a rejection you can still re-apply for the same type of residence permit only if 6 months have passed since the date of your rejection. It is possible for a previous rejection to negatively affect your next application, but this does not mean that you will get rejected again.

As always, you can contact us for support for your residence permit needs. Keep up with our blog for plenty of detailed articles on these sorts of issues.