Turkey Short Term Residence Permit Requirements

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 to living in Turkey as a foreigner is to get a. The requirements for short-term residence permit depend on the type of short-term residency you are applying for. The purpose of your travel determines which type of residency you need. There are some standard documents required for all kinds of short-term residence. However, different types require specific documents based on your purpose of travel. These documents are generally collected from public institutions and must comply with strict form requirements.

Below, you can find details on these requirements and how to get a residence permit in Turkey by applying at the Provincial Directorate of Migration. On the other hand, if you wish to find out about permanent residence (long-term residence) instead, please click to read our article on permanent residency in Turkey. Note that short-term residency is also a prerequisite for citizenship applications in Turkey. You must apply for short-term residency even if your final goal is to get Turkish citizenship.

Residence Permit Application

• How many types of residence permits are there in Turkey?
• What are the different types of short-term residence permits in Turkey?
• What are Turkey’s short-term residence permit requirements?
• How long does it take to get a short-term resident permit in Turkey?
• How much does a short-term residence permit in Turkey cost?
• Can foreigners work with a residence permit in Turkey?
• Is Turkey part of the Schengen visa?
• What is the family residence permit in Turkey?

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, and 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 with No. 6458, which was accepted 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, according to 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)
• – Travel documents used when entering the country and previous residence permit details are also some of the essential documents that should be submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Migration.
• – Provide a document of residence, such as a rental contract
• – Criminal record document provided by competent authorities in the country of citizenship or legal residence might be needed if requested by the Directorate.

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 specific requirements of each subcategory of short-term residency stated 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.

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

The migration management authority might usually make an appointment within a few weeks after 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 356 TL as of June 2023, but there is an additional fee which depends on the type of short-term residency. For example, the additional fee for short-term residency based on property ownership is currently 3409 TL. You can find out the amount of the extra fee for your application at the end of completing the online form. The Presidency of Migration Management regularly updates the costs.

Can foreigners work with a residence permit in Turkey?

No, it is impossible to work in Turkey with a residence permit unless a separate application for a work permit is made. The primary condition for applying for a work permit in Turkey is to have stayed in Turkey for at least six 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.

Is Turkey part of the Schengen visa?

Turkey is not part of the Schengen area or a member of the European Union. Negotiations for becoming part of the Schengen area have been going on. 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 short-term residence permit. This residence permit is given to family members such as minor children, dependent children of persons who already reside 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 have a short-term residency in Turkey for up to two years by buying property in Turkey for residency. However, there are special rules for citizens of different countries when purchasing property in Turkey. For example, citizens of countries who are neighbours with Turkey cannot buy property from cities at the border. Furthermore, the title deed and transaction must comply with specific criteria when one party is a foreigner and wishes to apply for Turkey real estate residence permit. Foreign citizens must ensure that each transaction complies with the most recent regulations published by Turkish authorities since this is a relatively volatile field.

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

Turkey’s real estate residence permit is a type of short-term residency that can be given for up to two years. In the case of short-term residency based on property ownership, the residency can be renewed at the end of each two 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 purchased property must be worth at least $75,000 in a metropolitan city and $50,000 in other cities if the foreigner wishes to buy property in Turkey and get residency. The property purchase scheme excludes designated neighbourhoods from the residency scheme.

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?

Can a tourist apply for a residence permit in Turkey?

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 not sufficient to stay over 90 days because it only allows one to stay for 90 days within 6 months (Art. 19(1)).

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

Visitors who stay in Turkey with a touristic visa have the right to remain in Turkey for 90 days within the 180 days their visa covers (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 days in 180 days rule applies to all foreign nationals.

Overstaying 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 make a new application within the 10 days following 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.