Residence permit in Turkey: types, requirements, application and options after a refusal
A foreigner who will stay in Turkey longer than the period granted by a visa or visa exemption, or longer than 90 days, must obtain a residence permit (ikamet izni). This guide summarizes the permit types, where to apply, the time limits, and the consequences of refusal and overstaying, with reference to the articles of the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (YUKK).
Last updated: · Prepared by: Av. Barış Kaymaz
Which question, which guide?
| Your question | Related guide | One-line answer |
|---|---|---|
| Can a residence permit be obtained by forming a company in Turkey? | Company formation guide | A short-term residence permit may be granted to foreigners who will establish commercial connections or set up a business (YUKK Article 31(1)(c)). |
| Can a residence permit be obtained by purchasing immovable property? | Real Estate Law | A short-term permit may be granted to those who own immovable property in Turkey; the qualifications and value of the property are determined by the Ministry (YUKK Articles 31(1)(b) and 31(6)). |
| A residence permit has been refused; what can be done? | Guide to actions against residence permit refusals | An action may be filed with the administrative court within 60 days of written notification (İYUK Article 7). |
| What can be done against a deportation order? | Guide to challenging a deportation order | An application is made to the administrative court within 7 days of notification; the court's decision is final (YUKK Article 53(3)). |
| When can an application for Turkish citizenship be made? | Turkish citizenship application guide | Under the general procedure, 5 years of uninterrupted residence counted back from the application date is required (Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, Article 11). |
| What work does the firm handle in this area? | Foreigners' Law | Residence and work permits, citizenship applications, and actions against deportation orders and entry ban (giriş yasağı) decisions. |
What types of residence permit are there in Turkey?
Under YUKK Article 30, there are 6 types of residence permit: short-term, family, student, long-term, humanitarian, and residence permit for victims of human trafficking. A valid work permit also counts as a residence permit (Article 27(1)).
The permit is tied to the purpose of stay, is issued separately for each foreigner, and its duration is set 60 days shorter than the validity period of the passport (YUKK Article 23(1)). If the purpose of stay changes, a permit appropriate to the new purpose may be requested (Article 29(1)).
The student residence permit is granted to foreigners who will pursue associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral studies at a higher education institution in Turkey; it does not give the student's mother, father or other relatives the right to a residence permit (YUKK Articles 38(1) and 38(3)).
Who is granted a short-term residence permit?
It may be granted on the grounds listed in Article 31(1), such as scientific research, ownership of immovable property in Turkey, establishing commercial connections or a business, tourism, medical treatment, a Turkish language course, and applying within 6 months of graduation after completing higher education in Turkey. The permit is granted for periods of up to 2 years at a time; it may be granted for up to 5 years at a time to those who invest within the scope determined by the President and to TRNC citizens (KKTC vatandaşları) (Articles 31(2) and 31(5)). In an application based on immovable property, the qualifications and value of the property are determined by the Ministry (Article 31(6)).
What are the requirements for a family residence permit?
A family residence permit of up to 3 years at a time is granted to the foreign spouse, and the minor or dependent foreign child, of a Turkish citizen or of a foreigner holding a residence permit; its duration cannot exceed the permit duration of the sponsor (destekleyici) (YUKK Article 34(1)). The sponsor is required to have a monthly income of not less than one third of the minimum wage (asgari ücret) per family member, with the total not less than the minimum wage; suitable accommodation and health insurance covering the whole family; no conviction for an offence against the family order in the last 5 years; and at least 1 year of stay on a residence permit (Article 35(1)).
When can a long-term residence permit be obtained?
An indefinite residence permit is granted to a foreigner who has stayed in Turkey for at least 8 years without interruption on a residence permit, has not received social assistance in the last 3 years, has sufficient and regular income and valid health insurance, and does not pose a threat to public order (YUKK Articles 42(1) and 43(1)). In calculating the uninterrupted period, half of the student residence permit periods and the whole of the other permit periods are counted; stays abroad exceeding a total of 6 months in one year, or a total of 1 year in the last 5 years, other than for compulsory public service, education and health reasons, count as interruptions (Article 28).
| Type | For whom | Duration or basic requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term | Research, ownership of immovable property, setting up a business, tourism, medical treatment and the other grounds in Article 31 | Up to 2 years at a time; 5 years for investors and TRNC citizens (Article 31) |
| Family | The foreign spouse, or minor or dependent child, of a Turkish citizen or of a foreigner holding a permit | Up to 3 years at a time; income, insurance and accommodation requirements for the sponsor (Articles 34 and 35) |
| Student | Associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral students in higher education | Depends on the period of study; gives no rights to relatives (Article 38) |
| Long-term | Those who have stayed for at least 8 years without interruption on a residence permit | Indefinite; social assistance, income and insurance requirements (Articles 42 and 43) |
| Humanitarian and victims of human trafficking | Foreigners in the special situations listed in the Law | Subject to special provisions (Article 30(1)(d) and (e)) |
How and where is a residence permit application filed?
Under the Law, the application is, as a rule, made to the Turkish consulate in the country of which the foreigner is a citizen or where the foreigner is legally present (YUKK Article 21(1)); in the cases listed in Article 22, such as long-term permit applications, student applications and the transition from a family permit to a short-term permit, the application may also be made in Turkey to the governorships. In practice, foreigners legally present in Turkey apply through the e-ikamet system of the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı) and go with their documents to the provincial directorate of migration management (il göç idaresi müdürlüğü) at which they have been given an appointment.
The applicant's passport must be valid for at least 60 days longer than the requested permit period (YUKK Article 21(2)). If information or documents are missing, the assessment may be postponed until the deficiency is remedied, and the deficiency is notified to the person concerned (Article 21(3)); applications may also be made through authorized intermediary institutions (Article 21(7)).
A foreigner who arrives with a residence and work permit issued through a consulate is required to register with the address registration system (adres kayıt sistemi) within 20 working days of entry at the latest (YUKK Article 26(2)).
| Situation | Where to apply | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| First application from abroad | The Turkish consulate in the country of which the foreigner is a citizen or where they are legally present | YUKK Article 21(1) |
| Application from Turkey (cases in Article 22) | The governorship of the province of residence; in practice, the provincial directorate of migration management via an e-ikamet appointment | YUKK Article 22 |
| Foreigner living in Istanbul | Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (the service point stated in the appointment) | YUKK Articles 22 and 24 |
| Foreigner living in Ankara | Ankara Provincial Directorate of Migration Management | YUKK Articles 22 and 24 |
| Extension | Governorship; starting 60 days before the permit expires and before the period ends | YUKK Article 24(2) |
What documents are required?
The documents vary by permit type; the common core is a valid passport, documents showing the purpose of stay, address information in Turkey and accommodation conditions (YUKK Articles 21(2) and 32(1)). For a short-term permit, a criminal record certificate obtained from the foreigner's own country is also submitted if requested (Article 32(1)(ç)).
The condition, required for a short-term permit, of not falling within the scope of Article 7 refers to Article 15 on foreigners who will not be granted a visa; therefore, valid health insurance covering the period of stay and sufficient and regular financial means are also shown (YUKK Articles 32(1)(b), 7(1)(c), 15(1)(e) and 15(1)(g)).
For a family permit, marriage and birth certificates and the sponsor's income, health insurance, criminal record and address registration documents are required (Article 35); for a student permit, a student certificate obtained from the higher education institution is required (Articles 38 and 39). In practice, foreign official documents are required to bear an apostille or be certified by a consulate, together with a notarized Turkish translation.
| Document | For which permit? | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Passport (valid for at least 60 days longer than the requested period) | All | YUKK Article 21(2) |
| Documents showing the purpose of stay | Short-term | YUKK Article 32(1)(a) |
| Address information and suitable accommodation | Short-term, student, family | YUKK Articles 32(1)(c) and (d), 35(1)(b) and 39(1)(c) |
| Health insurance | Short-term (via Article 15(1)(e)), family, long-term | YUKK Articles 15, 35(1)(b) and 43(1)(ç) |
| Proof of income | Short-term (sufficient and regular financial means), family (one third of the minimum wage per family member), long-term | YUKK Articles 15(1)(g), 35(1)(a) and 43(1)(c) |
| Criminal record | Short-term (if requested), family (for the sponsor) | YUKK Articles 32(1)(ç) and 35(1)(c) |
How long does a residence permit decision take, and for how many years is the permit granted?
Applications made to consulates are concluded within 90 days at the latest (YUKK Article 21(5)); Articles 22 and 24 do not provide a separate time limit for applications and extensions made from within Turkey.
A short-term permit is granted for up to 2 years at a time (5 years for investors and TRNC citizens), and a family permit for up to 3 years at a time; a permit granted for a Turkish language course is granted at most twice, and a permit granted after higher education is granted once only and for up to 1 year (YUKK Articles 31(2)–(5) and 34(1)). If the period of study is shorter than 1 year, the student permit cannot exceed the period of study (Article 38(4)).
If the permit is not put into use within 6 months after it is granted, it loses its validity (YUKK Article 19(1)). The long-term residence permit is indefinite; its holder enjoys the rights granted to Turkish citizens, except for military service, the right to vote and stand for election, entry into public service and the importation of vehicles under exemption (Articles 42(1) and 44(1)).
| Topic | Period | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Obligation to obtain a residence permit | A stay exceeding the visa or exemption period, or 90 days | YUKK Article 19(1) |
| Starting to use the permit | Within 6 months of issuance | YUKK Article 19(1) |
| Conclusion of a consulate application | 90 days at the latest | YUKK Article 21(5) |
| Extension application | Starts 60 days before expiry; made before the period ends | YUKK Article 24(2) |
| Address registration (those arriving with a permit issued through a consulate) | Within 20 working days of entry at the latest | YUKK Article 26(2) |
| Transition to a long-term permit | At least 8 years without interruption | YUKK Articles 42 and 43 |
What can be done if a residence permit is refused?
The refusal of an application made from within Turkey, or the non-extension or cancellation of the permit, is notified by the governorship to the foreigner, their legal representative or their lawyer; the notification also states how the rights of appeal can be exercised (YUKK Article 25(2)). When the decision is made, family ties, the duration of residence, the situation in the country of origin and the best interests of the child are taken into account (Article 25(1)).
Since no separate time limit is provided in the special law, an action for annulment may be filed with the administrative court against the decision within 60 days of written notification (Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İYUK), Article 7). In actions against the refusal or cancellation of a short-term permit, the file is deemed complete once the defence has been submitted or the time limit for it has expired, and holding a hearing is at the court's discretion (YUKK Article 31(7)).
If a foreigner whose extension application has been refused does not leave Turkey within 10 days, a deportation order is issued against them (YUKK Article 54(1)(j)). An application may be made to the administrative court against this order within 7 days of notification; unless the foreigner consents, the foreigner is not deported during the time limit for the action and until the proceedings are concluded, and the court's decision is final (Article 53(3)).
| Decision | Route | Time limit and legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Refusal, non-extension or cancellation of a residence permit | Action for annulment before the administrative court | 60 days from written notification (İYUK Article 7; YUKK Article 25) |
| After refusal of an extension | Leaving Turkey within 10 days; if the foreigner does not leave, a deportation order | YUKK Article 54(1)(j) |
| Deportation order | Application to the administrative court; the court's decision is final | 7 days from notification (YUKK Article 53(3)) |
| Entry ban | Up to 5 years; up to a further 10 years in the case of a serious threat | YUKK Article 9(3) |
What happens if the permit period expires?
To avoid the consequences, the extension application is made before the period expires: the application is made to the governorship from 60 days before the permit expires and in any case before it expires; with the document issued to applicants without a fee, the foreigner may remain in Turkey until a decision is made, even if the permit period has ended (YUKK Article 24(2)). The extended permit starts from the expiry date of the previous permit (Article 24(3)).
A deportation order is issued against a foreigner who, without an acceptable reason, violates the residence permit period by more than 10 days (YUKK Article 54(1)(g)); the entry of a deported foreigner into Turkey is banned, the ban lasts for up to 5 years and, in the case of a serious threat, may be extended by up to a further 10 years (Article 9(2)–(3)).
If a foreigner whose permit period has expired applies to the governorship to leave the country before the situation is detected, an entry ban decision may not be issued against them, provided that they have paid the administrative fines and have not exceeded the violation periods determined by the Ministry (YUKK Article 9(4)).
Is it possible to move from a residence permit to citizenship?
Yes; for citizenship through the general procedure, 5 years of uninterrupted residence in Turkey counted back from the application date is required. In addition, the applicant must be of age, confirm through their conduct that they have decided to settle in Turkey, have sufficient Turkish, have an income or profession sufficient to support themselves, be of good moral character, and pose no obstacle in terms of national security and public order (Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, Article 11(1)).
Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not directly confer citizenship; a foreigner who has been married for at least 3 years and whose marriage is continuing may apply, subject to the conditions of living together in family unity and not engaging in activities incompatible with the marriage (Law No. 5901, Article 16(1)).
Through the exceptional procedure, those who have obtained a residence permit through investment under YUKK Article 31(1)(j) and holders of the Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart), together with their foreign spouses and children, may acquire citizenship by Presidential decision (Law No. 5901, Article 12(1)(b)).
Frequently asked questions
References
- Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (Yabancılar ve Uluslararası Koruma Kanunu) (Articles 7, 9, 15, 19–31, 34, 35, 38, 39, 42–44, 53, 54) — Legislation Information System (Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi) (accessed: )
- Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 (İdari Yargılama Usulü Kanunu) (Article 7) — Legislation Information System (Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi) (accessed: )
- Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 (Türk Vatandaşlığı Kanunu) (Articles 11, 12, 16) — Legislation Information System (Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi) (accessed: )