Family Residence Permit in Türkiye
Official Turkish name: Aile ikamet izni
Short answer
A family residence permit (Turkish: aile ikamet izni) allows the foreign spouse and the foreign children of a sponsor to live in Türkiye.[1] The sponsor can be a Turkish citizen, a foreigner who holds a residence permit, or a person in one of the other groups listed in the Law and the Regulation.[1][2] The permit is issued for up to three years at a time and can never last longer than the sponsor’s own residence permit.[1] The sponsor must meet conditions on income, housing, health insurance, criminal record and address registration, and most foreign sponsors must also have held a residence permit in Türkiye for at least one year.[1] The Law says the permit may be granted, not that it must be.[1]
Who can get a family residence permit
Article 34 of the Law lists three groups of family members.[1] The Regulation adds some detail.[2]
| Family member | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign spouse of the sponsor | Both spouses must be at least 18 years old. If the marriage includes more than one spouse under the law of the country of citizenship, only one spouse can receive the permit. | Law Art. 34/1-a, 34/2, 35/3-ç[1] |
| Foreign minor child of the sponsor or of the sponsor’s spouse | The Regulation also covers an adopted child. | Law Art. 34/1-b[1]; Regulation Art. 30/2-b[2] |
| Dependent child of the sponsor or of the sponsor’s spouse | For a child over 18, whether the child is dependent is decided under Law No. 5510 on Social Insurance and General Health Insurance. | Law Art. 34/1-c[1]; Regulation Art. 30/2-c, 30/5[2] |
| Children from the sponsor’s other spouses | They may also receive the permit, even though only one spouse can. The Regulation limits this to children under 18 and older children the sponsor must support. | Law Art. 34/2[1]; Regulation Art. 30/3[2] |
The list covers spouses and children only.[1] For a child’s application, if a parent who shares custody lives outside Türkiye, that parent’s consent is required.[1]
Conditions for the family member
The person who applies to live with the sponsor must:[1]
- show documents proving that they belong to one of the groups above;
- show that they live with the sponsor, or intend to;
- not have married for the purpose of getting a family residence permit;
- be at least 18 years old, if applying as a spouse (this applies to each spouse);
- not fall under Article 7 of the Law, which lists the people who are refused entry to Türkiye at the border.
Who can be the sponsor
The Law defines the sponsor (Turkish: destekleyici) as the Turkish citizen or the foreigner legally present in Türkiye who covers the family member’s costs and on whom the application is based.[1] The Regulation lists who can be a sponsor:[2]
| Sponsor | Extra condition | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish citizen | None in this list | Regulation Art. 30/1-a[2] |
| A person who left Turkish citizenship with official permission (Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, Art. 28) | None in this list | Regulation Art. 30/1-b[2] |
| A foreigner who holds one of the residence permits in the Law | Must have lived in Türkiye on a residence permit for at least one year (see exceptions below) | Regulation Art. 30/1-c[2]; Law Art. 35/1-ç[1] |
| A foreigner who holds an identity document that the Law treats as a residence permit | Not for international protection applicants, conditional refugees or people under temporary protection | Regulation Art. 30/1-ç[2] |
| Refugees and holders of secondary protection status | The sponsor conditions in Art. 35/1 may be waived | Regulation Art. 30/1-d[2]; Law Art. 35/4[1] |
Göç İdaresi states that a student residence permit lets the student sponsor only a spouse and children, and gives no residence rights to other relatives.[4]
The one-year rule for foreign sponsors
A foreign sponsor must normally have lived in Türkiye on a residence permit for at least one year.[1] The Law does not apply this one-year rule to:[1]
- holders of a residence permit for scientific research;
- holders of a work permit;
- people covered by Article 28 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901;
- foreigners who are married to Turkish citizens.
For refugees and holders of secondary protection status in Türkiye, the Law says the sponsor conditions of Article 35/1 (including the one-year rule) may be waived.[1] This is a possibility, not an automatic exemption.
How long the permit lasts
Each family residence permit is issued for a maximum of three years at a time.[1] It can never be longer than the sponsor’s residence permit.[1] To keep living in Türkiye after the end date, the family member applies for an extension: see Extending a residence permit.
Conditions the sponsor must meet
Article 35/1 of the Law sets these conditions for the sponsor.[1]
| Condition | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Income | A monthly income of at least one third of the minimum wage for each family member, and never less than one full minimum wage in total. The Regulation counts the sponsor as one of the family members. | Law Art. 35/1-a[1]; Regulation Art. 31, 40/5-b[2] |
| Housing | Housing that meets general health and safety standards for the size of the family | Law Art. 35/1-b[1] |
| Health insurance | Health insurance that covers all family members | Law Art. 35/1-b[1] |
| Criminal record | A criminal record showing no conviction for any crime against the family order in the five years before the application date | Law Art. 35/1-c[1] |
| One year of residence | At least one year in Türkiye on a residence permit (foreign sponsors; see the exceptions above) | Law Art. 35/1-ç, 35/2[1] |
| Address registration | Registered in the address registration system | Law Art. 35/1-d[1] |
If the sponsor is a Turkish citizen, the e-İkamet document list accepts a written statement of income.[3]
How the income rule works
The rule is a formula, so it is easier to see with examples. The amounts below are shares of the minimum wage, not money amounts.
| People in the family (sponsor included) | One third per person | Minimum required |
|---|---|---|
| 2 (sponsor and spouse) | 2/3 of the minimum wage | 1 minimum wage (the total cannot be lower than this) |
| 3 | 3/3 of the minimum wage | 1 minimum wage |
| 4 | 4/3 of the minimum wage | 1 and 1/3 minimum wages |
| 5 | 5/3 of the minimum wage | 1 and 2/3 minimum wages |
The family rules in the Law, the Regulation and the e-İkamet list do not say whether the gross or the net minimum wage is meant.[1][2][3] The Regulation’s “net minimum wage” wording belongs to a separate rule for the long-term permit and is not applied to family permits.[2] Ask the provincial directorate of migration management if you are close to the limit.
Documents
The e-İkamet list for family applications has two groups: documents about the applicant and documents about the sponsor.[3] The list says the sponsor’s documents must be available at the application.[3] The Turkish version of the list is the official text; where the English version differs, we follow the Turkish one.
Documents about the applicant
| # | Document | When it is needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Residence Permit Application Form, signed by the foreigner, a legal representative, or a lawyer with a power of attorney | All applications |
| 2 | Copy of the passport (or passport substitute document): the page with identity details and photo, and visa pages if any. Bring the original to the appointment. | All applications |
| 3 | Two biometric photos, taken in the last 6 months, white background, ICAO standard | All applications |
| 4 | Receipts for the residence permit fee and the document fee | All applications. Citizens of countries exempt from the residence permit fee pay only the document fee. |
| 5 | Receipt for the single entry visa fee | If you entered Türkiye visa-free and are applying for the first time within your legal stay, or if you stayed longer than allowed. Not for exempt country groups or exempt foreigners. |
| 6 | Copy of the marriage certificate, or of another document proving the marriage (pages with identity and marriage details). If married to a Turkish citizen, a civil registry record showing the spouse (vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği). Bring the original. | All applications |
| 7 | Document from a PTT central branch showing your National Electronic Notification (UETS) address | Extension and transfer applications only. Not required under 18. |
All entries in this table come from the e-İkamet family list.[3]
Extra documents for a child
| Document | When it is needed |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate of the child | If the mother and father cannot be identified from the passport or national identity card |
| Certified custody document, or certified consent from the other parent | After a divorce. Consent is needed if custody is shared or the other parent has visiting rights. |
| Certified death certificate of the parent | If one parent has died |
| Certified court decision of absence | If one parent has been declared legally absent |
| Single parent document | If the child was born outside marriage and the other parent has custody |
All entries in this table come from the e-İkamet family list.[3]
Documents about the sponsor
| # | Document | When it is needed |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Turkish identity card, original and copy. If married to a Turkish citizen, a civil registry record showing the spouse. | Sponsor is a Turkish citizen |
| 8 | Copy of the passport or passport substitute document (identity page, entry and exit pages, visa pages), and a copy of the residence permit, work permit, Blue Card, or refugee or secondary protection identity document. Bring the originals. | Sponsor is a foreigner. For refugees and secondary protection holders, the passport only if they have one. |
| 9 | Original document showing sufficient and regular income (one third of the minimum wage for each family member including the sponsor, at least one minimum wage in total), e-signed or signed and stamped | All applications. A written income statement is enough if the sponsor is a Turkish citizen. |
| 10 | Valid health insurance covering all family members, for the whole permit period requested. One of: a document from the provincial social security office under a bilateral social security agreement; an SGK provision document (provizyon belgesi); an SGK document showing an application for general health insurance; or a private health insurance policy (show the first page with the policy number). | All applications |
| 11 | Criminal record certificate. If the sponsor has not lived in Türkiye for the last 5 years, from the authorities of their own country (the list suggests requesting it at least 3 months before applying). If the sponsor has lived in Türkiye for the last 5 years, from the Turkish authorities or e-Devlet. | All applications |
| 12 | One biometric photo of the sponsor | All applications |
| 13.1 | Up-to-date Document of Residence (Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi) from e-Devlet, with an electricity, water, natural gas or landline bill, or a subscription contract for new subscribers | Extension and transfer applications. Your address must be registered for these applications. |
| 13.2 | A document showing where you will stay: title deed copy and building number document (numarataj) for your own home; a notarised rental contract with the landlord’s details; a hotel stay document and a receipt covering the permit period; a dormitory document; or, if staying with someone, that person’s notarised undertaking (and their spouse’s, if married) with a recent bill in their name | All applications |
All entries in this table come from the e-İkamet family list.[3]
Foreign documents and translations
Documents from Turkish authorities must be e-signed, or signed and stamped.[3] Documents from abroad need an Apostille and a notarised Turkish translation.[3] If your country is not part of the Apostille Convention, or the document has no Apostille, it must be certified by the authorities of the country concerned (consulate or embassy certification, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or authorised Turkish authorities), and translated into Turkish by a notary.[3]
Other notes from the official list
- The provincial directorate of migration management may ask for more information or documents.[3]
- Appointments on e-İkamet are free. The official list warns against third parties who ask for money for appointments.[3]
- A residence permit does not give the right to work in Türkiye. Work requires a work permit or a work permit exemption.[3]
- After a first application is approved, the address must be registered within 20 working days.[3]
How the application works
Göç İdaresi takes residence permit applications in Türkiye: you apply through e-İkamet and then attend an appointment at the provincial directorate of migration management.[5] See Applying on e-İkamet for the steps.
For applications made at a consulate, the Regulation says the sponsor hands in the documents proving the Article 35/1 conditions to the governorate of the province where the sponsor lives, and the family application is processed once these documents are delivered.[2]
Note on consulates: Article 21 of the Law names the Turkish consulate in the applicant’s country as the normal place to apply.[1] Göç İdaresi states that consular applications will become possible soon and will be announced, and that until then the governorate of the province where you want to live takes applications.[5]
For fees, see Residence permit fees.
Marriage of convenience checks
If there is reasonable suspicion before a family residence permit is granted or extended, the governorate investigates whether the marriage was made only to obtain a residence permit.[1] If it finds that this was the purpose, the permit is refused, or cancelled if already granted.[1] The governorate may also check this after the permit is issued.[1]
What can trigger a check
The Regulation treats any one of these situations as reasonable suspicion:[2]
- a report or complaint that the spouses do not live in the same home, or that the marriage does not continue as a family;
- the spouses have no common language;
- an unreasonable age difference between the spouses;
- the foreign spouse has broken visa or residence permit rules;
- the spouses state that the marriage is a marriage of convenience;
- action has been taken against one spouse for earning a living by illegal means or for working without permission;
- the family’s income does not match its standard of living.
How the check is done
- The spouses are interviewed separately and together, and they must attend when invited.[2]
- Information may be collected from close neighbours, people around the address, family members and local units.[2]
- Sociologists, social workers, psychologists or other professionals may take part, and police may accompany the team.[2]
- The Regulation requires respect for privacy and the home, and forbids disturbing or degrading treatment.[2]
- A commission makes the final assessment. It is chaired by a representative of the provincial directorate and includes representatives of the provincial family and social policy, civil registry and police directorates, with at least one woman member.[2]
If a permit obtained through a marriage of convenience is later cancelled, the time spent on it does not count towards any residence period in the Law.[1] This matters for the long-term residence permit.
Refusal, cancellation and non-renewal
In the following cases a family residence permit is not granted, is cancelled if already granted, or is not extended:[1][2]
| Reason | Source |
|---|---|
| The sponsor conditions (Art. 35/1) or the family member conditions (Art. 35/3) are not met, or stop being met | Law Art. 36/1-a[1] |
| After the conditions for the family permit end, a short-term residence permit is not granted | Law Art. 36/1-b[1] |
| There is a valid removal decision or entry ban against the person | Law Art. 36/1-c[1] |
| The permit is found to be used for a purpose other than the one it was granted for | Law Art. 36/1-ç[1] |
| More than 180 days in total outside Türkiye in the last year, except for compulsory public service, official duty, education or health | Regulation Art. 33/1-d[2]; Law Art. 36/2[1] |
| The marriage is found to have been made to obtain a residence permit | Regulation Art. 33/1-e[2]; Law Art. 37/1[1] |
The decision is notified to the foreigner, their legal representative or their lawyer.[2] For what you can do after a decision, see Refusal and cancellation and Appeals.
Applying again
- If you apply again within six months of a refusal or cancellation, you are asked to give a new reason for the application.[2]
- This new reason is not required if the family permit was cancelled because of more than 180 days abroad in the last year.[2]
- In that case, if you are in Türkiye, you can apply within 10 days of being notified of the cancellation. The single entry visa fee and the residence permit fee for the time between the cancellation and the new application are then charged with one additional multiple (Turkish: “bir kat fazlasıyla”).[2] Time spent abroad is not counted in this period.[2] Ask the provincial directorate of migration management how the amount is calculated in your case.
Switching to a short-term residence permit
The Law allows a move from a family residence permit to a short-term residence permit in three situations. The wording below follows the Law.
| Situation | Rule in the Law | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Turning 18 | A person who has stayed in Türkiye for at least three years with a family residence permit and has turned 18 may convert the permit into a short-term residence permit, if they ask for it. | Law Art. 34/5[1] |
| Divorce from a Turkish citizen | A foreigner married to a Turkish citizen may be granted a short-term residence permit after divorce, on condition of having stayed at least three years with a family residence permit. The three-year condition does not apply if a court decision shows that the foreign spouse was a victim of domestic violence. | Law Art. 34/6[1] |
| Death of the sponsor | People staying on a family residence permit linked to the sponsor may be granted a short-term residence permit with no time condition. | Law Art. 34/7[1] |
Points from the Regulation:
- After the sponsor’s death, the existing family permit can be used until it ends.[2]
- After turning 18 or after a divorce, the person may also apply for any other permit type whose conditions they meet.[2] After the sponsor’s death, a new permit request at the end of the period is assessed under the general rules.[2]
- When the reason for your current permit ends and you want to stay, you apply for a permit that fits your new purpose within 10 days.[2]
The short-term document list on e-İkamet has a section for this move. It asks for a copy of the previous residence permit (the original card is handed in at the appointment), the court decision on the divorce, or the sponsor’s death certificate, as relevant.[6] For the general process, see Switching residence permit type.
School and study
A family residence permit gives the right to attend primary and secondary school until age 18 without a student residence permit.[1] According to the Regulation, a person over 18 who is no longer supported by a legal representative needs a student residence permit to keep studying, while a dependent person over 18 keeps the family permit and has the rights of a student permit.[2] If a family permit holder meets the conditions for a student residence permit, the family permit continues and they also get the rights of a student permit.[2] See Student residence permit.
Sources
- Yabancılar ve Uluslararası Koruma Kanunu (Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection), consolidated text, Art. 3/1-f, 7, 21/1, 34, 35, 36, 37. mevzuat.gov.tr, accessed .
- Yabancılar ve Uluslararası Koruma Kanununun Uygulanmasına İlişkin Yönetmelik (Implementing Regulation), Art. 21/10, 21/11, 21/12, 26/1, 26/5, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40/5. mevzuat.gov.tr, accessed .
- Aile İkamet İzni Başvurularında İstenen Belgeler (Documents Required for Family Residence Permit Applications). e-İkamet, Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı, accessed .
- İkamet İzni Çeşitleri (Residence Permit Types). Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı, accessed .
- İkamet Genel Bilgiler (Residence Permits: General Information). Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı, accessed .
- Kısa Dönem İkamet İzni Başvurularında İstenen Belgeler (Documents Required for Short Term Residence Permit Applications). e-İkamet, Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı, accessed .