Turkey Short Term Residence Permit Requirements

Updated on 19 April 2026

Thanks to its central location, living in Turkey is an attractive option for many worldwide. Present-day Turkey is a cosmopolitan country, and the main route for foreigners to live in Turkey is to obtain a short-term residence permit. The requirements for a short-term residence permit depend on your purpose of travel. There are different short-term residency paths depending on the purpose of your travel. There are standard documents required for all travel. However, specific documents may also be requested depending on your purpose of travel. These documents are generally obtained from public institutions and must comply with strict form requirements, which this article covers.

The two most common routes for a short-term residence permit in Turkey are based on tourism and property ownership. Although the property ownership route is relatively more secure, the procedural requirements must be met and carefully followed up. In 2026, a property worth more than USD 200,000 is sufficient to qualify for a residence permit, with no other requirements. Below you can find detailed guidance on short-term residence permit applications in Turkey, including those based on property ownership, tourist residence permits, and other types of short-term residence permits. We also cover the residence permit renewal process with specific information based on the type of permit currently held.

 

Residence Permit Application

How many types of residence permits are there in Turkey?

There are four common types of residence permits in Turkey: long-term residence permit (permanent), family residence permit, short-term permit and student residence permit. On the other hand, foreigners can get humanitarian residence permits or residence permits for victims of human trafficking. These permits are listed under Article 30 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, No. 6458, which was adopted on 04.04.2013. These permits also have several subcategories.

What are the different types of short-term residence permits in Turkey?

A short-term residence permit can be obtained for the following purposes under Art. 31(1) of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection:

• Ownership of immovable property in Turkey
• Tourism purposes (travel plans should be provided)
• Establishing business or commercial connections
• Participation in on-the-job training programmes
• Attending educational or similar programmes as part of student exchange programs or agreements to which the Republic of Turkey is a party
• Medical treatment
• Conducting scientific research
• Request or decision of administrative or judicial authorities

What are Turkey’s short-term residence permit requirements?

To begin with, the applicant should complete the online residence permit application form and request an appointment. Before the appointment, the applicant needs to ensure that the following documents and preparations are completed:

• Applicant’s address must be registered at the Address Registration System
• The applicant must hold valid medical insurance (public or private health insurance) for the duration of the residence permit requested
• Travel documents used when entering the country and previous residence permit details are also essential documents to submit to the Provincial Directorate of Migration.
• Provide a document of residence, such as a rental contract
• A criminal record document issued by the competent authorities in the country of citizenship or legal residence may be required upon the Directorate’s request.

Copies of these documents must also be brought to the appointment, which will be collected by the Provincial Directorate (including photocopies of passports, etc.).

In addition to these essential requirements, applicants must prepare for the specific requirements of each short-term residency subcategory listed above. Furthermore, the Provincial Directorate of Migration has a certain degree of discretion when assessing the types and formats of the required documents during the application stage. Relevant residence permit procedures should be considered when choosing the right path to residency.

Do I need to be in Turkey for the application process? When will my appointment be?

The foreigner must apply while in Turkey. The application cannot be submitted abroad. Furthermore, they will have to attend the appointment in person. The appointment date is highly unpredictable, ranging from 1 week to 1 month after the online submission. The applicant can find out in the following days after online submission.

The physical appointment is mainly for submitting documents and providing fingerprints. After this stage, a lawyer with power of attorney can submit your missing documents if required. Contact our Turkish immigration attorneys for assistance.

How long does it take to get a short-term resident permit in Turkey?

The migration management authority usually makes an appointment within a few weeks of submitting the online residence permit application form. According to the law, a decision about your application will be made within 90 days, depending on circumstances such as whether you had any missing documents at the appointment (Art. 21(5) of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection).

How much does a short-term residence permit in Turkey cost?

The cost of a residency card is 964 TL as of 2026, but there is an additional fee which depends on the type of short-term residency. You can find the amount of the extra fee for your residence application at the end of the online form on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. The Presidency of Migration Management regularly updates the costs.

Sample costs for a tourist and property-based residence permit, renewed for a duration of two years from our most recent application in April 2026:

• 1551,16 TL for a 2-year tourist residence permit renewal
• 3.102,32 TL for a 2-year property-based tourist residence permit renewal

In addition, the 964,00 TL card fee mentioned above applies.

Can foreigners work with a residence permit in Turkey?

No, it is impossible to work in Turkey with a residence permit unless a separate work permit application is submitted. The primary condition for applying for a work permit in Turkey is having stayed in Turkey for at least 6 months with a valid residence permit if the applicant is submitting the application in Turkey. There is a slightly different process for applicants who are applying from abroad.

Foreigners who want to work in Turkey must apply for a Turkish work permit.

Is Turkey part of the Schengen visa?

Turkey is not part of the Schengen area or a member of the European Union. Negotiations to join the Schengen area have been ongoing. However, the progress slowed, and there is no prospect of joining Schengen soon.

What is the family residence permit in Turkey?

Foreign nationals can stay in Turkey for a short term if they hold a family residence permit. However, the Law on Foreigners and International Protection defines it as a separate category from a short-term residence permit. This residence permit is granted to family members, such as minor children, dependent children of persons already residing in Turkey, or spouses of Turkish citizens. The duration is usually the same period as the remaining residency period of the principal residency holder.

Buying Property in Turkey for Residency

• Can I get residency in Turkey if I buy a house?
• How long can foreigners stay in Turkey if they own property?
• How to get permanent residency in Turkey by buying a property?

Can I get residency in Turkey if I buy a house?

Yes, you can obtain a short-term residency in Turkey for up to 2 years by buying property there. However, there are special rules for citizens of different countries when purchasing property in Turkey. For example, citizens of countries that are neighbours of Turkey cannot buy property in border cities. Furthermore, the title deed and the transaction must meet specific criteria when one party is a foreigner applying for a real estate residence permit in Turkey. Foreign citizens must ensure that each transaction complies with the latest regulations issued by Turkish authorities, as this is a relatively volatile field.

The property must be residential.

How long can foreigners stay in Turkey if they own property?

Turkey’s real estate residence permit is a short-term residency permit valid for up to 2 years. For short-term residency based on property ownership, the residency can be renewed every 2 years. Eventually, it might be possible to apply for a long-term residence permit via this route.

How to get permanent residency in Turkey by buying a property?

The current rule states that the property must be at least $200,000 to be eligible for a residence permit based on property ownership in 2026.

• Signed and stamped originals of bank statements or salary documents. 
• The land registry document for the permit
• Up-to-date valuation report for the property for properties purchased before 16 October 2023, but for sales after that date, the sale price written on your title deed (tapu) must be above USD 200,000 (in TRY) according to the Central Bank’s official rate on the date of the title-transfer
• Health insurance document (covering a 2 year long period since this is typically the length of this type of residence currently provided by the Immigartion Office)
• Documents showing that the foreigner resides in the relevant property
• Biometric photos
• Birth certificate for the owner’s child, if applicable
• Marriage certificate for the owner’s spouse, if applicable

Tourist Residency and Tourist Visa in Turkey

• Can a tourist apply for a residence permit in Turkey?
• How can I stay in Turkey for six months?
• What is the 90 days in 180 days rule in Turkey?

Specific Requirements for a Touristic Residency

Yes, a tourist can apply for a Turkish residence permit by applying for a short-term residence permit and specifying the purpose of the visit as touristic (Art. 31 (1) e). A short-term residence permit can be obtained for up to 2 years (Art. 31).

How can I stay in Turkey for six months?

A short-term residence permit is required to stay in Turkey for six months. A tourist visa is insufficient for stays exceeding 90 days, as it permits only 90 days within a 6-month period (Art. 19(1)).

What is the 90 days in 180 days rule in Turkey?

Visitors who stay in Turkey on a tourist visa may remain for 90 days within the 180-day period covered by their visa (Art. 11(1)). One requirement for a visa to visit Turkey is to have insurance coverage (medical insurance) for your entire visit, according to the provision on Turkey Entry Ban in Law No. 6458, Article 15-1e. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 90-day-in-180-day rule applies to all foreign nationals. 

How to calculate the 90 days in the 180-day rule?

Entry and exit dates from Turkey must be included in the calculation. That is why the 90-day period can end quickly when there are multiple trips. Neither the phone line nor the offices of Göç İdaresi calculate your days for you. An option is to find out at the airport “hudut kapısı” (border gate). 

When to apply for the tourist residence permit as a visa holder?

The above rule of 90 days, 180 days allows the foreigner to apply for a tourist residence permit before the visa duration ends. 

Overstaying a Residence Permit in Turkey

• How long can I stay in Turkey after my residence permit expires?
• What happens if you overstay your residence permit in Turkey?
• Will I be deported if I overstay?
• What happens if you work without a work permit in Turkey?

How long can I stay in Turkey after my residence permit expires?

You can stay in Turkey for another 10 days after your residency ends to make a new application. If a new residency application is made during this period, you can stay in Turkey during the assessment of this application.

What happens if you overstay your residence permit in Turkey?

Overstaying a Turkish residence permit results in a penalty to be paid if you have not started a new residency application before the expiration date. You can submit a new application within 10 days of the expiration. If you do not make a new application, you will have to leave the country. 

Will I be deported if I overstay?

You can stay in Turkey for 10 more days after your residency expires. Once this period ends and you still have not started a new application for residency, there is a risk of deportation (Art. 54/(1)-g). This matter is within the jurisdiction of the administrative office for border gates. If you are deported from Turkey, you can also be banned from entering Turkey (Art. 9).

What happens if you work without a work permit in Turkey?

The Law of Foreigners states that a decision to deport will be given to foreign nationals identified as working in Turkey without a work permit.

 

Each residency application and related matter must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to find more about the above topics, please click here to book a free consultation with one of our expert lawyers.