Residence Permit

Foreigners who want to extend their stay in Turkey beyond the period specified in their visa, need a visa exemption or plan to stay for more than ninety days are required to obtain a residence permit.

1. LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT

For a long-term residence permit, foreigners who have stayed in Turkey for at least eight years with an uninterrupted residence permit must send the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. Since long-term residence permits are issued indefinitely, no application for extension is required.

1.1 Application

  • Residence permit application form
  • Original and copy of passport or equivalent travel document
  • Copy of previous residence permit
  • Four biometric photos
  • Document showing that the applicant has not received any social assistance from government institutions and organizations in the last three years
  • Statement that you have sufficient and regular financial means during your stay
  • Criminal record
  • Valid health insurance

2. SHORT TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT

For short-term residence permits, when foreigners who have immovable property in Turkey or who are considering establishing a business or business connection in Turkey apply through the e-ikamet system (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr), the following documents must be submitted to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

As a rule, short-term residence permits are issued for a maximum of two years.However, foreigners who want to invest in Turkey in the amount and scope determined by the Council of Ministers can be granted a five-year short-term residence permit together with their spouse and children.In addition, these investors can apply for Turkish citizenship or long-term residence permit.

2.1 First Application

  • Residence permit application form.
  • Copy of passport or equivalent travel document.
  • Four biometric photos.
  • Statement of having sufficient and regular income during the stay
  • Document/Receipt regarding payment of residence permit fee and card free
  • Title deed proving the ownership of the applicant (required for foreigners who own immovable property iny Turkey).
  • Valid health insurance

Foreigners who want to apply for a short-term residence permit by establishing business or business connections in Turkey are required to submit the following additional documents:

  • Invitation letter received from persons or companies to be contacted.
  • Notarized company activity certificate
  • Notarized tax plate
  • Notarized trade registry gazette
  • Notarized circular of signature

Foreigners who want to apply for a short-term residence permit by investing in the amount and scope determined by the Council of Ministers must meet any of the following conditions:

  • Have to be determined by the Ministry of Industry and Technology to have made a fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 USD or equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish lira.
  • Have to be determined by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change to have acquired real estate worth at least 250.000 USD or equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish lira, provided that it has not been sold for at least three years in the land registry records.
  • Have to be determined by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services to employ at least 50 people.
  • Have to be determined by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency to have deposited at least 500,000 USD or equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish lira in banks operating in Turkey, provided that they keep at least three years.
  • It has to be determined by the Capital Markets Board that it has purchased at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish lira real estate investment fund shares or venture capital investment fund shares, provided that they have not sold for three years.

2.2 Extension Application

When foreigners apply through the e-ikamet system  (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr) for the extension of their residence permit, they must send the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management by mail within five working days.Applications for extension of residence permit can be made within sixty days before the expiry of the residence permit; however, this application should in no case be left after the expiry date of the residence permit.

  • Residence permit application form
  • Notarized copy of passport or equivalent travel document
  • Four biometric photos
  • Submission of previous residence permit document
  • Statement of having sufficient and regular income during the stay
  • Title deed proving the ownership of the applicant (required for foreigners who own immovable property in Turkey)
  • Invitation letter received from person or companies to be contacted (required for foreigners who want to establish business or business contacts in Turkey)
  • Valid health insurance