Foreigners and Citizenship Law · Part 1
Most foreigners who wish to stay in Türkiye for a longer period first ask: “Is a visa enough, or do I need a residence permit?” This part explains what a residence permit (ikamet izni) is, the types available, how the first application is made and which common documents are requested. The explanation is based on Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection and the document list of the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi).
Short answer
Foreigners who will stay longer than the period granted by their visa or visa exemption, or longer than ninety days, must obtain a residence permit. The Law lists six types of residence permit, each subject to its own conditions.
Applications usually require:
- A valid passport
- Health insurance covering the period of stay
- Address information
- Documents showing the purpose of stay
Renting or buying a home in Türkiye does not automatically create a right of residence. A residence permit alone does not grant the right to work either.
1. Visa, visa exemption and residence permit
- Visa and visa exemption: These are for entry into Türkiye and for short stays.
- Residence permit: Mandatory for foreigners who will stay longer than the period granted by the visa or visa exemption, or longer than ninety days (Law No. 6458, Art. 19).
Those who come with a visa or visa-free for up to ninety days are exempt from a residence permit during that period (Art. 20/1-a). In addition, a residence permit that is not used within six months becomes invalid (Art. 19).
2. Types of residence permit
| Type | For whom | Duration rule in the Law |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term | Those staying for purposes listed in the Law (tourism, property ownership, business connections, scientific research, etc.) | Up to two years each time; up to five years each time for investors and qualifying family members within Art. 31/1-j, and citizens of the TRNC (Art. 31) |
| Family | The foreign spouse and minor or dependent foreign children of a Turkish citizen or of a foreigner holding a residence permit | Up to three years each time; cannot exceed the sponsor’s permit (Art. 34) |
| Student | Those pursuing higher education in Türkiye; under conditions, primary and secondary school students | Linked to the studies (Art. 38) |
| Long-term | Foreigners who have stayed at least eight years uninterruptedly with a residence permit or meet the conditions set by the Ministry | Indefinite (Art. 42) |
| Humanitarian | Exceptional situations listed in the Law | According to the special conditions in the Law |
| Victim of human trafficking | Victims as defined in the Law | According to the special conditions in the Law |
3. Short-term residence permit
A short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet izni) “may be granted” for grounds listed in the Law (Art. 31/1). These include scientific research, property ownership, establishing business connections or a business, tourism, medical treatment, Turkish language courses, and completing higher education in Türkiye and applying within six months of graduation. The permit is therefore not an automatic right even where a ground exists. The conditions in the Law are as follows (Art. 32):
- Relying on one of the grounds in the Law and documenting it
- Not falling within the scope of persons whose entry into Türkiye is refused
- Having accommodation that meets general health and safety standards
- Submitting a criminal record certificate if requested
- Providing the address where the person will stay in Türkiye
4. The effect of renting or buying a home
- Renting: A lease agreement is not a ground for a residence permit. It is only one of the documents showing the place of stay. According to the Presidency of Migration Management’s document list, a notarised copy of the lease agreement is requested.
- Buying: Owning real property in Türkiye is one of the grounds for a short-term residence permit (Art. 31/1-b). However, the permit is assessed separately. The nature and value of the property are determined by the Ministry (Art. 31/6). According to the Presidency’s document list, the value of the residence as of the acquisition date must be at least the Turkish lira equivalent of USD 200,000. The property must also be a residence and be used by the foreigner for that purpose; it may not be used for income-generating purposes such as renting it out.
The monetary criterion in the document list must be considered together with the acquisition date; requirements applicable to older acquisitions should be checked separately. Acquiring property and applying for citizenship are separate processes. This topic will be covered in Part 7 of the series.
5. Family, student and long-term residence permits
Family residence permit
The sponsor (the person bringing the family to Türkiye) must meet the following conditions (Art. 35/1):
- A monthly income of not less than one third of the minimum wage per family member, provided that the total income is not less than the minimum wage
- Suitable accommodation and health insurance covering all family members
- No conviction for offences against family order in the last five years
- Having stayed in Türkiye with a residence permit for at least one year
- Being registered in the address registration system
The one-year residence condition does not apply to certain persons, such as foreigners married to Turkish citizens and holders of a work permit (Art. 35/2). The marriage must also not have been concluded for the purpose of obtaining a family residence permit (Art. 35/3-c).
Student residence permit
Granted to foreigners who will pursue associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral studies at a higher education institution in Türkiye. It does not give the student’s parents or other relatives any right to a residence permit (Art. 38).
Long-term residence permit
As a rule, the following conditions apply (Art. 43):
- At least eight years of uninterrupted stay with a residence permit
- No social assistance received in the last three years
- Sufficient and regular income
- Valid health insurance
- Not posing a threat to public order or public security
Certain groups, such as holders of a humanitarian residence permit, refugees and persons under temporary protection, have no right to transfer to a long-term permit (Art. 42/2).
6. First application: where, how and how long?
- Statutory provision and current procedure: Article 21/1 provides for consular applications. For the current procedure, however, YİMER directs applicants to apply online through e-İkamet during their lawful stay, then attend their appointment with the required documents. The relevant Provincial Directorate of Migration Management assesses the application.
- Applications from within Türkiye: In exceptional cases listed in the Law, applications may be made to governorships (Art. 22). Examples include long-term, student and humanitarian residence permits and transfers from a family permit to a short-term permit. In practice, appointments are made free of charge through the e-İkamet system. The Presidency’s document list states that those who entered visa-free and apply for the first time within their legal period of stay are required to pay a single-entry visa fee, except for exempt nationalities and foreigners.
- Passport validity: A passport valid for sixty days longer than the requested residence permit period is required (Art. 21/2).
- Missing documents: The assessment may be postponed until the missing items are completed; the applicant is notified of what is missing (Art. 21/3).
- Decision period: The ninety-day assessment period starts when all information and documents have been submitted in full to the competent authority. The applicant is informed if the period is extended (Art. 21/5; YİMER guidance).
Refusal, non-extension and cancellation of applications made from within Türkiye will be covered in Part 2 of the series.
7. Common documents, address and health insurance
The Presidency of Migration Management’s document list for short-term residence permits lists the following common documents:
- Application form
- Copy of the passport and visa, if any (the original is presented at the appointment)
- Two biometric photographs
- Receipts for the fee and the card cost
- Valid health insurance: Its duration must cover the requested period of residence.
- A document or declaration of sufficient and regular financial means
- Address documents: For example, a title deed with a building number certificate, a notarised lease agreement, or a notarised undertaking by the person you are staying with.
For first applications, address registration is mandatory within twenty working days after approval of the residence permit. For extension and transfer applications, a National Electronic Notification System (UETS) document is also requested; applicants under 18 are exempt from this document requirement. Additional documents are required depending on the purpose of stay.
According to the Presidency, a residence permit does not grant the right to work in Türkiye. Foreigners who will work must also obtain a work permit or an exemption. This topic will be covered in Part 3 of the series.
8. Common mistakes
- Delaying the application until the visa or visa exemption period is about to expire
- Health insurance that does not cover the entire period of residence
- A passport that is not valid for sixty days beyond the requested period
- Assuming that renting or buying a home alone gives a right of residence
- Choosing a permit type that does not match the purpose of stay
- Not registering the address on time after approval
9. Document checklist and hypothetical examples
- Passport (validity period checked)
- Biometric photographs
- Health insurance policy or Social Security Institution (SGK) document
- Address document (title deed and building number certificate, notarised lease agreement or undertaking)
- Documents relating to the purpose of stay (invitation letter, student certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)
- For documents obtained abroad: an Apostille or consular legalisation and a notarised Turkish translation
Hypothetical example 1: S, who entered Türkiye visa-free, wants to stay longer than ninety days and rents a flat. Since the lease alone does not grant a right of residence, S should choose a residence permit type that matches the purpose of stay and apply within the legal period of stay.
Hypothetical example 2: T wants to live in Türkiye with a spouse who is a Turkish citizen. For the family residence permit, the income, accommodation and health insurance conditions of the spouse as sponsor are assessed. Because T is married to a Turkish citizen, the one-year residence condition does not apply to the sponsor.
These examples are not based on real persons or files; the outcome depends on the specific circumstances.
10. Frequently asked questions
I entered visa-free; by when must I obtain a residence permit?
If you will stay longer than the period granted by the visa exemption or longer than ninety days, you need a residence permit. It is important to apply within your legal period of stay.
I bought a home in Türkiye; will I definitely receive a residence permit?
No. Property ownership is one of the grounds for a short-term permit. However, conditions such as the value of the property and its use as a residence are assessed separately.
Can I work if I have a residence permit?
According to the Presidency of Migration Management, a residence permit does not grant the right to work. A separate work permit or exemption is required.
How long does it take for my application to be decided?
The ninety-day assessment period starts upon complete submission of the information and documents, rather than automatically on the online application date. The applicant is informed if the period is extended.
Which health insurance is accepted?
According to the Presidency’s list, SGK documents, a bilateral social security agreement document or a private health insurance policy are accepted, provided that their duration covers the period of residence.
Who can apply for a long-term residence permit?
As a rule, foreigners who have stayed at least eight years uninterruptedly with a residence permit and meet the other conditions in the Law may apply.
11. Official sources
- Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (Turkish): Arts. 19-23, 30-35, 38, 42, 43
- Presidency of Migration Management – Documents Required for Short-Term Residence Permit Applications (Turkish)
- e-İkamet application system
YİMER – Official residence permit FAQs
General information: This article is for general information only and does not replace the assessment of a specific application. Administrative practice and required documents may change; please check the Presidency of Migration Management’s current announcements before applying.