FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RESIDENCE PERMIT (RESIDENCY)

1. WHAT IS A RESIDENCE PERMIT?

A residence permit is an official document granted to foreigners who wish to stay in Turkey. Foreigners who intend to stay in the country beyond the duration allowed by their visa or visa exemption, or for more than ninety days, are required to apply for the type of residence permit they are eligible for through the e-Residence system. Those who complete their application must appear in person on the appointment date at the provincial/district immigration office in the city they wish to reside. Foreigners who fail to appear without a valid excuse are considered as if they have not applied at all. The authorities may request certain information or documents to verify a valid excuse. Applications for residence permit extensions are generally made using the same procedure.

 

2. HOW MANY TYPES OF RESIDENCE PERMITS ARE THERE?

Residence permits are mainly divided into six groups:

Short-term residence permit, which includes:

1. Residence for tourism purposes
2. Foreigners who own property
3. Foreigners coming for medical treatment

ç. Foreigners with ongoing court cases

1. Foreigners attending Turkish language courses
2. Foreigners completing university education in Turkey

Long-term residence permit

Family residence permit

Student residence permit

Humanitarian residence permit

Residence permit for victims of human trafficking

3. WHAT IS THE COST OF OBTAINING A RESIDENCE PERMIT?

The cost of a residence permit varies. Firstly, fees differ depending on the applicant’s nationality and the applicable fee groups. Some countries are subject to both residence and visa fees, some are exempt from visa fees, and others from residence fees. Fee details can be found at: https://www.goc.gov.tr/belge-bedeli-ve-harc-miktari

Additionally, if a foreigner does not have social security and needs private health insurance, there will be an extra insurance cost, which varies according to age.

 

4. HOW TO OBTAIN A RESIDENCE PERMIT AND STEPS TO APPLY

Foreigners intending to stay in Turkey beyond the visa or visa exemption period (or more than 90 days) must obtain a residence permit. Applications can be made personally by the foreigner or through their legal representative or lawyer.

5. E-RESIDENCE SYSTEM AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Foreigners must first schedule an online appointment with the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) through the e-Residence system. They must appear on the appointment date with the required documents. The documents required depend on the type of residence permit.

 

6. INITIAL, EXTENSION, AND TRANSITION APPLICATIONS

For initial and transition applications, foreigners must apply via the e-Residence system and appear at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management on the appointment date with the required documents (https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/Ikamet/IstenenBelgeler

). Extension applications should be submitted within 60 days before the current permit expires and, in all cases, before the expiration date.

 

7. CAN I PAY THE DEPORTATION FINE UPON ENTRY?

If you enter Turkey without a visa or work permit, you cannot pay a fine upon arrival; you will be sent back to your country, and may even face illegal entry proceedings. You can only pay your fine and enter the country if your passport contains a valid visa.

8. CAN I APPLY FOR RESIDENCE AFTER MY VISA EXPIRES?

If you did not apply within the 30, 60, or 90 days (or 90 days within 180 days), you have an additional 10-day legal period to schedule an appointment and apply while paying the delay fine. If you exceed this extra 10-day period without a valid excuse (e.g., medical report), your only option is to exit and re-enter. The delay fine must be paid upon exit; otherwise, entry will be prohibited for 5 years. This ban cannot be lifted in Turkey except by obtaining a visa or work permit from a Turkish consulate.

9. WHEN SHOULD A FOREIGNER APPLY FOR A RESIDENCE PERMIT EXTENSION?

Residence permit extensions must be applied for within the last 60 days of the current permit. If a foreigner cannot apply within this period due to a valid reason, they can submit the extension within 15 days after the expiration date. If the extension application is submitted on time, the foreigner may remain in Turkey even if the current permit expires; a document is issued allowing them to stay until the extension is processed.

10. CAN THE PERMIT BE EXTENDED AFTER EXPIRATION WITHOUT EXITING THE COUNTRY?

Yes, if the delay is less than 10 days. If it exceeds 10 days, exit and re-entry is required.

11. WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR A FOREIGN RESIDENCE PERMIT?

The legal application period depends on your nationality: some countries must apply within 30 days, others within 60 or 90 days after entry.

 

12. DOES A WORK PERMIT COUNT AS A RESIDENCE PERMIT?

Under Turkish law, a valid work permit substitutes for a residence permit. Therefore, a foreigner with a work permit can stay in Turkey without a separate residence permit for the duration of the work permit.

13. HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

All residence permit applications require valid health insurance covering the duration of the requested permit.

14. ADDRESS IN TURKEY

Foreigners must provide their residential address in Turkey, which can be a fixed address or accommodation facility. The information must be accurate and complete. To deliver the residence permit, address, phone number, or email information must be up to date. Any change of address must be reported to the provincial migration office and population registry within 20 business days with supporting documents.

15. DOCUMENTS ACCEPTED AS ADDRESS PROOF

If renting: notarized copy of the lease agreement

 

Hotels, motels, hostels: proof of stay

 

Student dormitories/hostel: signed, stamped document confirming stay

Staying with a friend/relative: address registration of host with notarized declaration

16. FINALIZATION OF RESIDENCE PERMIT

According to Article 21 of the Law, residence permit applications are finalized within 90 days. Article 22 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection specifies that the 90-day period starts from the date all documents are submitted to the competent authority. If processing exceeds this period, the applicant is informed.

Intern. Attorney Abdullah Gencal
U&T Law - U&T Law and Consulting