Residence Permit

Residence Permit in Turkey: Everything You Need to Know in 2025

If you’re planning to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days, navigating the legal requirements is a must. This guide covers everything you need to know about obtaining a residence permit in Turkey — from required documents to common mistakes and renewal procedures. Stay compliant, avoid delays, and secure your legal status with confidence.

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A residence permit in Turkey is a legal authorization granted to foreign nationals who wish to stay in the country.

Foreigners who intend to remain in Turkey for more than ninety days—or beyond the period allowed by their visa or visa exemption—must apply for the appropriate type of residence permit through the official e-Residence system.

Once the application is submitted, the applicant must appear in person at the provincial or district directorate of migration management in the city where they intend to reside, on the appointment date assigned by the system.

Failure to appear without a valid excuse will result in the application being considered null. In such cases, the administration may request supporting documents to evaluate whether the excuse is acceptable.

As a general rule, residence permit extension applications follow the same procedure.

Residence permits in Turkey are categorized into six main types, each serving a different legal or personal purpose. These permit types are:

1. Short-term residence permit, which includes:

Touristic stays,
Foreigners who own property (title deed holders),
Individuals undergoing medical treatment,
Foreigners involved in legal proceedings,
Those attending Turkish language courses,
Foreigners who have completed university education in Turkey.

2. Long-term residence permit

3. Family residence permit

4. Student residence permit

5. Humanitarian residence permit

6. Residence permit for victims of human trafficking

How to Apply for a Residence Permit in Turkey: Key Steps and Requirements

Foreign nationals who intend to stay in Turkey for more than ninety days—or beyond the duration permitted by their visa or visa exemption—are legally required to obtain a residence permit in Turkey.

Applications can be submitted either in person by the applicant or through a legally authorized representative or lawyer acting on their behalf.

1. E-Residence System: Booking an Appointment Online

To begin the application process for a residence permit in Turkey, the applicant must first schedule an online appointment through the official E-Residence System managed by the Immigration Administration.

On the day of the appointment, the applicant is required to appear in person at the Immigration Office and submit all necessary documents.

Please note that the required documentation may vary depending on the type of residence permit being applied for.

2. Initial, Extension, and Transitional Applications

For both initial and transitional residence permit applications, foreigners must apply through the official E-Residence system and attend their appointment at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the province where they reside, bringing all required documents on the specified date and time.

You can access the list of required documents at: https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/IstenenBelgeler

Residence permit extension applications must be submitted no later than the permit’s expiration date, and ideally within the 60 days prior to its expiry.

3. A Work Permit Is Considered a Residence Permit

Under current legislation, a valid work permit also serves as a residence permit in Turkey.

Therefore, foreign nationals holding a work permit are legally entitled to reside in the country during the validity of their employment authorization, without the need to apply for a separate residence permit.

4. Health Insurance Requirement

Foreigners applying for a residence permit must hold valid health insurance that fully covers the entire duration of the requested residence period.

5. Residence Permit Fee

The residence permit fee is regulated under Turkish Fees Law No. 492. Foreigners are required to pay the applicable fee as stipulated in this law.

If an extension application is not submitted before the permit expires, the residence permit fee will be doubled—per Article 83 of Law No. 492—for each period spent in Turkey without valid residency.

6. Address Declaration Requirement in Turkey

Foreigners applying for a residence permit in Turkey must accurately declare the address where they will stay in Turkey.

This address can be a fixed residence or a registered accommodation facility. Regardless of the type, address information must be complete and accurate.

Additionally, the foreigner’s telephone number and email address must be kept up to date to ensure successful delivery of the residence permit card.

If the declared address changes during the residence period, the updated address and related documents must be reported to both the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management and the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs within 20 working days.

7. Accepted Address Documents

The following documents can be submitted to prove your address in Turkey:

If you are staying in a rented house: a notarized copy of your rental contract
If you are staying in a hotel, motel, hostel, or similar facility: a document proving your stay, issued by the facility
If you are staying in a student dormitory or institutional guesthouse: an e-signed, signed, sealed, or stamped document issued by the institution
If you are staying with a friend or relative: the host’s address registration document, along with a notarized letter of undertaking

8. What Are the Required Documents for a Residence Permit in Turkey?

The list of required documents may vary depending on the type of residence permit in Turkey you are applying for.

Therefore, applicants must first determine the appropriate residence permit category and then prepare and submit the specific documents required for that type.

9. Finalization of the Residence Permit Application in Turkey

According to Article 21 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, residence permit applications must be finalized within ninety (90) days at the latest.

As stated in Article 22 of the Regulation on the Implementation of this Law, the 90-day period begins from the date when all required documents and information are submitted to the competent authority.

If the processing time is extended, the applicant will be officially notified.

Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Permit in Turkey

1. What is the cost of obtaining a residence permit in Turkey?

The cost of obtaining a residence permit in Turkey varies depending on your nationality.

Some countries are subject to both visa and residence permit fees, while others may be exempt from one or both.

In addition, if the applicant does not have social security coverage in Turkey, they are required to purchase private health insurance.

Insurance costs vary based on the applicant’s age and the policy selected.

2. Can I pay the deportation penalty when entering Turkey?

If you arrive without a valid visa or work permit obtained through a consulate, you will not be allowed to pay the penalty at the border and may be deported. You could also be subject to legal proceedings for illegal entry.

You may only pay the fine at entry if you have a valid visa in your passport. Without it, re-entry is not permitted.

3. Can I apply for a residence permit after my visa expires?

If you overstay your visa (e.g. after 30, 60, or 90 days, or 90 out of 180 days), you have an additional 10-day grace period to book an appointment.

During this time, you may apply without exiting Turkey, provided you pay the overstay penalty.

If you exceed the 10-day grace period and lack a documented excuse (e.g. medical report), you must exit the country.

Additionally, failure to pay the penalty upon departure may result in a 5-year entry ban, which cannot be lifted through third-party payments or at border crossings—only a visa or work permit issued by a Turkish consulate will allow re-entry.

4. When should a foreigner apply for a residence permit extension?

You can apply for a residence permit extension within the final 60 days of the current permit’s validity—any time up to its expiration date.

5. Can a residence permit be extended after it expires without exiting Turkey?

If your residence permit has expired but no more than 10 days have passed, you may still apply for an extension while remaining in Turkey.

However, if the overstay exceeds 10 days, you must leave the country and re-enter.

6. When should I apply for a foreign residence permit in Turkey?

The legal time frame to apply for a residence permit in Turkey depends on your nationality.

Some nationals must apply within 30 days of arrival, while others have 60 or 90 days. Always check the specific requirement based on your country of citizenship.