Obtaining a Residence Permit in Turkey

Obtaining a Residence Permit in Turkey

1. General Overview

Foreigners must obtain residence permits in order to legally reside in Turkey.

The term "foreigner" is defined in Article 3 of the Turkish Citizenship Law (“TVK”) as anyone who does not have citizenship ties with the Republic of Turkey.[¹]

In Turkey, residence permits are governed by the provisions of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (“YUKK”) and Law No. 5682 on Passports (“PK”).[²][³]

Foreigners who intend to stay in Turkey beyond the period granted by their visa or visa exemption, or longer than ninety days, must obtain a residence permit. Additionally, the residence permit must be used within six months of issuance; otherwise, it will become invalid.

Exemptions from residence permits are outlined in detail in Article 20 of YUKK.

2. Residence Permit Applications Made Abroad

Residence permit applications abroad must be submitted to the Turkish consulate in the applicant’s home country or, if legally residing elsewhere, to the Turkish consulate in that country.

Applicants must possess a passport or equivalent travel document valid for at least 60 days beyond the intended residence permit duration.

The evaluation process may be delayed until all required documents are completed.

Applications submitted to consulates are forwarded to the Directorate General of Migration Management (“DGMM”), which communicates the final decision to the relevant consulate.

Applications are finalized within 90 days. If rejected, the DGMM notifies the applicant of the rejection and the legal grounds.

3. Residence Permit Applications Made in Turkey

a) The DGMM is responsible for handling matters such as entry-exit procedures, residence, deportation, and protection of victims of trafficking and asylum seekers.

b) According to YUKK, applications for residence permits must be submitted to the DGMM. Article 22 allows, by exception, applications to be submitted to provincial governorates.

c) Before May 18, 2015, these duties were carried out by the Foreigners Department of the Police Directorate. After this date, all operations were transferred to Provincial Migration Offices in all 81 provinces.

d) With this transfer, the e-residence system was introduced. Foreigners can now apply to extend short-term, student, or family residence permits online without physically visiting the Migration Office.

e) Foreigners who change their passport during the residence period must make an appointment via the initial application screen and visit the Migration Office.

f) First-time residence permit applications must still be submitted in person via appointment at the Migration Office.

4. Long-Term Residence Permit Applications

a) Applications must be submitted personally or through a legal representative or an attorney with power of attorney.

b) An “Application Certificate for Residence Permit” is issued, which allows the applicant to stay in the country until a decision is made but not to travel internationally unless approved by the Migration Office.

c) The application form must be completed based on the passport or equivalent documents.

d) Two biometric photographs, taken within the last six months, must be submitted.

e) The original passport must be presented. If not in Latin script, a notarized or certified translation must be included.

f) Any previous residence permit documents must be submitted.

g) Proof must be provided that the applicant has not received state aid in the past three years and possesses sufficient financial means. If the applicant owns property, it must be residential in nature.

h) Valid health insurance is required. The policy must state that it meets the minimum coverage defined in the General Communiqué dated 6.6.2014.

ı) A criminal record certificate must be submitted.

j) Full address details (street, neighborhood, building number, etc.) must be provided. Address changes must be reported within 20 days.

k) Long-term residence permits are issued indefinitely and do not require renewal.

5. Family Residence Permit Applications

For initial family residence permit applications, the following documents are required:

a) Residence Permit Application Form completed in accordance with passport details.

b) Originals and copies of passports.

c) Four biometric photographs.

d) Proof of marriage.

e) The sponsor (supporting spouse) must be present and provide:

• ID card (original and copy)
• Proof of financial means
• Health insurance covering all family members
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address registration

These documents are also required for residence permit extensions.

Residence Permit for Minor or Dependent Children

a) Original and copy of the passport

b) Four biometric photos

c) The sponsor must be present and provide:

• Completed application form
• ID card (original and copy)
• Consent from the other parent in shared custody cases
• Proof of financial means
• Health insurance covering all family members
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address registration

The same documents are required for extensions.

Av. Anıl Coşkun

info@anil-coskun.com

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