Residence permit wizard

Short-term residence permit

Official Turkish name: Kısa dönem ikamet izni Law No. 6458, Art. 31 to 33

For stays for one of the purposes listed in Article 31 of the Law. Each grant is for at most two years, except investors and TRNC citizens (up to five years).

Conditions to check

• You apply for a listed purpose and give the information and documents for it.
• You are not someone who must be refused entry to Türkiye under Article 7 of the Law.
• You have accommodation that meets general health and safety standards.
• If asked, you give a criminal record document from your country of citizenship or legal residence.
• You give the address where you will stay in Türkiye.
• Spending more than 120 days in total outside Türkiye in the last year, except for compulsory public service, official duty, education or health, is a ground for refusal or cancellation.

Documents to prepare

Documents for every short-term application

• Residence Permit Application Form, signed by you, your legal representative or your lawyer with a power of attorney
• Copy of the passport (or passport substitute document) page with your identity details and photo, and of any visa pages. Bring the original to the appointment.
• Two biometric photos taken in the last 6 months, white background, ICAO standard
• Receipts for the residence permit fee and the document (card) fee Citizens of fee-exempt countries pay only the document fee
• Receipt for the single entry visa fee Only if you entered visa-free and apply for the first time within your legal stay, or if you overstayed. Some countries and people are exempt.
• Valid health insurance covering the whole permit period: a bilateral social security agreement document, an SGK provision document, an SGK general health insurance application document, or a private policy (first page with the policy number) Some exceptions apply for medical treatment, public programmes and authority requests
• A document or a statement showing you have sufficient and regular means for your stay
• Current Document of Residence (Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi) from e-Devlet, plus an electricity, water, gas or landline bill, or a new subscription contract Required for extension and transfer applications
• A document showing where you will stay: title deed copy and numbering document (own home), notarised rental contract with the landlord's details, hotel stay proof and payment receipt, dormitory document, or the host's notarised undertaking (and the host's spouse's, if married) with a current bill in the host's name One option is enough
• UETS (National Electronic Notification System) address document from a central PTT branch Extension and transfer only; not needed under 18

Extra documents for your purpose

• Official signed and stamped document showing the duration and place of the research; for archaeological excavations and surface research, a visa for that purpose from a Turkish mission abroad
• Title deed copy showing the home is yours; a document showing family ties if family members share ownership; a current valuation report for a home received by inheritance or donation; the municipality numbering document (first application) or the title deed continuation certificate (extension) According to the e-İkamet document list, the home's value on the acquisition date must be at least the Turkish lira equivalent of 200,000 US dollars
• A visa for this purpose from a Turkish mission abroad, and notarised copies of the activity certificate, tax registration certificate, trade registry gazette and signature list of the person or company you will deal with
• A signed and stamped document from the public institution giving the training, showing its duration and place
• An education document from the host institution; for Erasmus, Mevlana and other exchange students, a document stating the exchange programme
• Information or documents about your travel plan and accommodation, and one proof of sufficient and regular income: pension card and pension certificate, bank statement for the last three months, stamped and signed company letter, last three months of deposit income, or title deed and rental contract for rental income According to the e-İkamet document list, sufficient income means at least 1.5 times the net minimum wage on the application date if you apply alone, or at least one minimum wage for each family member if you apply with your family; regular income means this amount was earned over at least the last three months
• If you apply because of family ties: a copy of the residence permit, work permit or work permit exemption of your parent, spouse or child in Türkiye, and your marriage certificate or civil registry record if the tie is marriage
• A treatment report from the public or private hospital; if you come under a bilateral social security agreement, a confirming document from the provincial social security unit
• A signed and stamped document from the judicial or administrative authority stating that you must stay in Türkiye and for how long
• Copy of your previous residence permit (the original card is handed in at the appointment), and, as applicable, the divorce court decision, the court decision showing you were a victim of domestic violence, or the sponsor's death certificate
• A visa for a Turkish language course from a Turkish mission abroad, and a document from the authorised course provider showing the course length
• A signed and stamped document from the public institution showing the duration and place of the programme
• Copy of the diploma or temporary graduation certificate, or the document from e-Devlet; bring the original to the appointment
• Certificate of suitability (uygunluk belgesi); criminal record (from your own country if you have not lived in Türkiye for the last 5 years, otherwise from Turkish authorities or e-Devlet); a document showing family ties if family members also apply
• Copy of your TRNC identity document; bring the original to the appointment

Extra documents for a child

• Documents for an application made for a child Documents from abroad need an Apostille (or consular and Turkish authority approval) and a notarised Turkish translation

Family residence permit

Official Turkish name: Aile ikamet izni Law No. 6458, Art. 34 to 37

For the foreign spouse and the minor or dependent foreign children of a sponsor. Up to three years at a time, never longer than the sponsor's permit.

Conditions to check

• The sponsor has a monthly income of at least one third of the minimum wage for each family member, sponsor included, and never less than one minimum wage in total.
• The sponsor has housing that meets general health and safety standards for the family size, and health insurance covering all family members.
• The sponsor has no conviction for a crime against the family order in the five years before the application.
• A foreign sponsor has lived in Türkiye on a residence permit for at least one year, with exceptions.
• The sponsor is registered in the address registration system.
• You live with the sponsor or intend to, and the marriage was not made to obtain a permit. The governorate may investigate this.
• For a child, the consent of a parent with shared custody who lives outside Türkiye is required.
• If the marriage includes more than one spouse, only one spouse can receive a family permit.
• Spending more than 180 days in total outside Türkiye in the last year, except for compulsory public service, official duty, education or health, is a ground for refusal or cancellation.

• A child born in Türkiye to foreign parents needs a suitable residence permit within 180 days of birth.

Documents to prepare

Documents about you (the applicant)

• Residence Permit Application Form, signed by you, your legal representative or your lawyer with a power of attorney
• Copy of the passport (or passport substitute document) page with your identity details and photo, and of any visa pages. Bring the original to the appointment.
• Two biometric photos taken in the last 6 months, white background, ICAO standard
• Receipts for the residence permit fee and the document (card) fee Citizens of fee-exempt countries pay only the document fee
• Receipt for the single entry visa fee Only if you entered visa-free and apply for the first time within your legal stay, or if you overstayed. Some countries and people are exempt.
• Copy of the marriage certificate or another document proving the marriage (identity and marriage pages); if married to a Turkish citizen, a civil registry record showing the spouse (vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği). Bring the original.
• UETS (National Electronic Notification System) address document from a central PTT branch Extension and transfer only; not needed under 18

Extra documents for a child

• Documents for an application made for a child Documents from abroad need an Apostille (or consular and Turkish authority approval) and a notarised Turkish translation

Documents about your sponsor (the sponsor attends the appointment)

• Sponsor's Turkish identity card, original and copy; if married to a Turkish citizen, a civil registry record showing the spouse
• Sponsor's passport copy (identity, entry and exit, and visa pages) and a copy of the sponsor's residence permit, work permit, Blue Card, or refugee or subsidiary protection identity document. Bring the originals. Refugee and subsidiary protection sponsors: passport only if they have one
• Original document showing the sponsor's 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 A written income statement is enough if the sponsor is a Turkish citizen
• Valid health insurance covering all family members for the whole permit period: a bilateral social security agreement document, an SGK provision document, an SGK general health insurance application document, or a private policy (first page with the policy number)
• Sponsor's criminal record: from the authorities of their own country if they have not lived in Türkiye for the last 5 years (the list suggests asking at least 3 months ahead), otherwise from Turkish authorities or e-Devlet
• One biometric photo of the sponsor
• Current Document of Residence (Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi) from e-Devlet, plus an electricity, water, gas or landline bill, or a new subscription contract The sponsor must be registered in the address registration system
• A document showing where you will stay: title deed copy and numbering document (own home), notarised rental contract with the landlord's details, hotel stay proof and payment receipt, dormitory document, or the host's notarised undertaking (and the host's spouse's, if married) with a current bill in the host's name One option is enough

Student residence permit

Official Turkish name: Öğrenci ikamet izni Law No. 6458, Art. 38 to 41

For university students in associate to doctoral programmes, and for primary and secondary pupils without a family permit.

Conditions to check

• You give the information and documents for your study situation.
• You are not someone who must be refused entry to Türkiye under Article 7 of the Law.
• You give the address where you will stay in Türkiye.
• A student permit gives no right to a residence permit to the student's parents or other relatives; a student can sponsor only a spouse and children.
• Changes in your student or registration status must be reported to the provincial directorate within 20 days.

Documents to prepare

Documents for every student application

• Residence Permit Application Form, signed by you, your legal representative or your lawyer with a power of attorney
• Copy of the passport (or passport substitute document) page with your identity details and photo, and of any visa pages. Bring the original when you hand in your file.
• Two biometric photos taken in the last 6 months, white background, ICAO standard
• Receipt for the residence permit document (card) fee Students at schools that are not Turkish schools (for example consulate, embassy or international schools) also pay the residence permit fee
• Current Document of Residence (Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi) from e-Devlet, plus an electricity, water, gas or landline bill, or a new subscription contract Required for extension and transfer applications
• A document showing where you will stay: title deed copy and numbering document (own home), notarised rental contract with the landlord's details, hotel stay proof and payment receipt, dormitory document, or the host's notarised undertaking (and the host's spouse's, if married) with a current bill in the host's name One option is enough
• Valid health insurance covering the permit period: a bilateral social security agreement document, an SGK provision document, an SGK general health insurance application document, or a private policy (first page with the policy number) Not needed if you ask to join general health insurance within three months of your first registration; then inform the migration administration
• UETS (National Electronic Notification System) address document from a central PTT branch Extension and transfer only; not needed under 18
• A document showing your student status, signed and stamped (or e-signed) by your school, or taken from e-Devlet

Extra documents for a child

• Documents for an application made for a child Documents from abroad need an Apostille (or consular and Turkish authority approval) and a notarised Turkish translation
• Student or education visa Primary and secondary school pupils

Long-term residence permit

Official Turkish name: Uzun dönem ikamet izni Law No. 6458, Art. 42 to 45

A permit with no end date, given by the governorate with the Ministry of Interior's approval.

Conditions to check

• At least eight years in Türkiye on residence permits without interruption.
• No social assistance in the last three years.
• Sufficient and regular income for yourself and your family; promises of support from other people are not accepted.
• Valid health insurance on the application date.
• No threat to public order or public security.

Documents to prepare

Documents for a long-term application

• Residence Permit Application Form, signed by you, your legal representative or your lawyer with a power of attorney
• Copy of the passport (or passport substitute document) page with your identity details and photo, and of any visa pages. Bring the original to the appointment.
• Two biometric photos taken in the last 6 months, white background, ICAO standard
• Receipt for the residence permit document (card) fee
• Current Document of Residence (Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi) from e-Devlet, plus an electricity, water, gas or landline bill, or a new subscription contract If you stay with another person, the bill must be in the name of the person who gave you a notarised undertaking
• Valid health insurance: a bilateral social security agreement document, an SGK provision document, an SGK general health insurance application document, or a private policy (first page with the policy number)
• Criminal record from the authorities of your own country and from the Turkish authorities If your own country cannot issue one because you have not entered or left it, and you show a document proving this, the Turkish record is enough
• Original document showing sufficient and regular income: one third of the minimum wage for each family member including yourself, at least one minimum wage in total Income undertakings from other people are not accepted
• Original document showing you have not received social assistance in the last three years, from the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation of the governorate or district governorate
• UETS (National Electronic Notification System) address document from a central PTT branch Not needed under 18

Extra documents for a child

• Documents for an application made for a child Documents from abroad need an Apostille (or consular and Turkish authority approval) and a notarised Turkish translation

You may not need a residence permit

Some foreigners are exempt from the residence permit requirement. Check the exemption that applies to you in the official text.

Your work permit counts as a residence permit

While your work permit is valid, you do not need a separate residence permit. When it ends, your right to stay ends on the same date.

• Yabancılara Düzenlenen Belgeler (Documents issued to foreigners: work permits and exemptions)

School attendance on a family permit

Until age 18, a family permit covers primary and secondary school without a student permit.

You already hold a permit with no end date

A long-term permit has no extension. It can be cancelled for a serious threat to public order or public security, or for more than one year outside Türkiye without a break, except for health, education or compulsory public service in your own country.

Work permits are handled by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security

This wizard does not decide work permit questions. Read the official information from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

• Yabancılara Düzenlenen Belgeler (Documents issued to foreigners: work permits and exemptions)
• Turquoise Card

Other cases: see the official source

Humanitarian residence permits, residence permits for victims of human trafficking, international protection and temporary protection follow their own rules. This wizard does not decide them. Contact your provincial migration directorate or YİMER: 157 from inside Türkiye, +90 312 157 11 22 from abroad.

• İkamet İzni Çeşitleri (Residence permit types)
• Uluslararası Koruma (International protection)
• Geçici Koruma (Temporary protection)
• İnsan Ticareti ile Mücadele (Combating human trafficking)

None of the permit types covered here fits your answers

Based on your answers, none of the short-term, family, student or long-term permits clearly fits. The Law lists six residence permit types, and an application whose purpose cannot be justified is assessed negatively. If you already hold a permit, keep it extended on time. You can change your answers, read the permit pages, or ask your provincial migration directorate or YİMER (157).