Residence Permits in Turkey: Most Important Info to Know About the 4 Types of Residence Permits

So, you have decided to move to Turkey! If you are at the beginning of your journey, you should use this opportunity wisely and get started on your residence permit application. How to get started? 

Residence permits in Turkey have been in high demand in the recent years, especially during and after the pandemic. This is why it is important to complete the application process carefully and thoroughly. Choosing your residence permit type is the first step of your application. The types of residence permits in Turkey depend on 1) how long you are staying and 2) your purpose in living in Turkey.

The four types of residence permits in Turkey have different requirements from applicants. This article is here to answer all of your questions regarding the topic. Let’s get started!

Types of Residence Permits in Turkey

1. Short-term Residency

Short-term residency is the most common application type that a majority of candidates fall under. Short-term residence permits are (with exceptions) given for a duration of a maximum of 2 years. This type of residency applies to people who are:

• in Turkey for touristic purposes
• in Turkey for business and trade purposes
• part of student exchange programs 
• in Turkey for scientific research purposes
• owners of property in Turkey
• seeking medical treatment in Turkey for illnesses that do not pose a threat to the general public
• legally required to stay in Turkey by judicial and administrative entities
• applying to convert their family residence application to a non-family purpose application
• enrolled in Turkish language courses
• enrolled in education, internship, or research programs through public bodies in Turkey
• applying for residency after completing their higher education in Turkey within six months of graduation
• not employed in Turkey but are investing according to the Ministry’s guidelines
• citizens of Northern Cyprus 

For the short-term residency application, candidates are required to:

• present documents supporting their purpose of residence
• meet general health and safety standards
• present their criminal record from their country of origin if requested by the immigration officer
• present their proof of address in Turkey

The reasons for rejection or cancellation of the permit for the short-term residence permit application are:

• Not fulfilling one or more conditions required for the residency
• Residing in Turkey for purposes other than the one listed on the application
• Having a deportation order a ban from entering the country
• Are violating the terms regarding staying outside of Turkey

2. Long-term Residency

Long-term residence permit is quite a different process when it comes to the requirements and also the amount of time granted. Depending on the application, there is no specified limit to the duration of the residency granted to applicants. Long-term residency applies to people who:

• have stayed in Turkey for 8 consecutive years with a valid residence permit OR have obtained permission from the Ministry to qualify for a long-term residence
• are refugees, conditional refugees or have secondary protection status

For the long-term residency application, candidates are required to:

• have stayed for a minimum of 8 years 
• have not received government assistance in the past 3 years
• meet the necessary financial requirements to support themselves and their family, including a stable income
• have valid health insurance coverage
• not possess a threat to public safety and health

Long-term residents can benefit from the rights granted to Turkish citizens with the exception of voting rights, becoming government workers and serving in the army. 

The reasons for rejection or cancellation of the permit for the long-term residence permit application are:

• Threatening public safety or public order 
• Residing outside of Turkey for over 1 year for reasons outside of education, medicine, and public service 

3. Family Residency

Family residence permit is a special type of residency that facilitates families’ move to Turkey together. Family residencies are given for a maximum duration of 3 years at a time. Turkish citizens, people who hold one of the specified types of residencies according to law 5901 item 28, refugees and people under the secondary protection status can obtain family residency for their:

• their spouse
• their children or their spouse’s children under the age of 18
• their children or their spouse’s children who are dependent on them

Supporting party for the family residence applicant is required to meet the following conditions:

• Insurance coverage for all family members
• Each family member’s income being no less than one third of minimum wage
• No criminal record for the past 5 years 
• Being a resident in Turkey for a minimum of 1 year with a registered address
• If the person supporting the family residence for their family member is not a Turkish citizen, the family residence permit cannot extend the residence permit of the supporting member. 

The applicant for the family residence is required to meet the following conditions:

• Presenting all required documents outlining their purpose of stay
• Proof of intent to live with the supporting party
• Their spouse being over the age of 18
• The marriage must not be for the purpose of obtaining the residence permit

Previous family residence holders are eligible to apply for a short-term residence if:

• They are divorced, but have stayed married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years 
• Their family member obtaining the residence 

4. Student Residency

The student residence permit is a relatively easier type of residence permit to obtain due to the applicant’s school acting as a vouching party. Students usually apply for this type of residence through their university or educational institution for the duration of their studies. The student residence permit applies to people:

• enrolled in elementary or middle school and do not hold a family residence permit
• enrolled in higher education institutions for pre-undergraduate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, medical and dental residency programs

Student residency allows residents to obtain family residence permits for their spouse and children. 

For the student residency application, candidates are required to:

• present their purpose in staying in Turkey through documents
• present their proof address
• have health insurance

Higher education students who are on a student residence permit are allowed to work if they have a work permit. For pre-undergraduate and undergraduate degrees the work permits are granted after a minimum of 2 years. 

Now that we have covered the different types of residence permits in Turkey, it’s time to get started on the application.

For more information, check out the official government website: https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-permit-types.

If you have specific questions regarding residence permits in Turkey, contact us now so our experts can address all of your concerns.