Foreigners may enter into or exit from Turkey through border gates with a valid passport or with a travel document after a document check. However, as of 1 January 2017, those who do not hold passport or a travel document with a Over 100 countries may purchase validity of minimum sixty days after the expiry date of the visa, a visa exemption or a residence permit will not guarantee admission into the country.
A comprehensive check means an exhaustive check for the conditions of entry into the country. The main purpose of a comprehensive check is to identify the persons who are not allowed to enter into Turkey. In this respect, if a law enforcement officer, who is responsible for the entry procedures, has a suspicion regarding the situation or a foreigner’s documents, the officer may subject the individual to a comprehensive check. Comprehensive checks are not considered as administrative detention procedures but a means of an exhaustive check for especially the documents as well as the conditions of entry into the country. The control procedure is to be completed in four hours or less, and if it exceeds four hours, then the consent of the foreigner is required. The foreigner may return to her/his own country during a comprehensive check or may wait until the conclusion of the procedures. A comprehensive check is conducted at a separate place in vicinity of the passport control point.
Provided that the provisions of visa exemption are reserved, the foreigners who wish to stay in Turkey up to ninety days are required to obtain a visa in accordance with their purposes of visit from the consulates in the countries of which they are citizens or where they reside legally.
Over 100 countries from around the world can purchase online electronic visa in mins. You can find more information about visa fees at the Republic of Turkey online e-visa official website https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/tour/ or read user comments here.
The applications lodged at the consulates are concluded latest within ninety days of receipt of the request. E-visas are sent to the foreigner’s e-mail address 24 hours after the application. (For the applications made at the consulates) a visa application should be made at least thirty days before the planned travel date considering possible delays in visa issuance procedures.
A visa will be cancelled by the issuing authorities or the governorates in cases when/where:
a) it is determined that the visa is subject to forgery,
b) there is erasure, scraping or alteration detected on the visa,
c) the visa holder is banned to enter into Turkey,
d) there is strong doubt that the foreigner may commit a crime,
e) the passport or travel document is false or has expired,
f) the visa or the visa exemption is used outside its purpose,
g) the circumstances or documents on the grounds of which the visa was issued are determined to be not valid.
Except for those arriving within the scope of work permit exemption regulated in Article 55 of the Law No. 4817 on Implementation of Foreigners’ Work Permit these foreigners are not required to obtain an additional residence permit if the visa duration is sufficient.
The foreigners whose visa application is rejected or whose visas are cancelled as per Article 16 of the Law will be notified about the procedure. Objection to the rejection of a visa application can be initially made through a written application to the authorities which have rejected the visa. If no positive response is received, it is possible to resort to courts for further objection.
a) Entry due to force majeure Foreigners in a carrier, which has been obliged to use Turkish airports and seaports due to force majeure such as air conditions, accidents and technical problems in the carriers, will be granted the permit for entry into Turkey without seeking the condition of visa by the governorates as long as the force majeure continues and it is notified to the Ministry.
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b) Entry without visa from the seaports with touristic purposes Provided that it is valid for the seaports, the foreigners who have arrived at seaports for the purpose of touristic visits to the port city or nearby cities will be granted the permit for entry without a visa by the governorates, provided that their visit does not exceed seventy-two hours. As a rule, passports of these people will not be taken during their entry into the country.
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However, the passports of those who are evaluated, as possibly being subject of irregular migration in our country by the officials who are responsible from the entry and exit checks at the seaports will be taken to be given back at their exit from the country and a “Port City Permit Certificate” will be issued for them. These foreigners will exit only from the port they have entered into. Otherwise, the foreigner will have to pay a transit visa fee. Entry visa fee will be also charged to those who have exceeded the duration of seventy-two hours.
By issuing a residence permit for the foreigners who will stay in Turkey for more than the maximum allowed visa period or visa exemption period, it is aimed to ensure that the visas or visa exemptions, which are mostly issued for touristic purposes, are not used for unintended purposes. In this regard, if the foreigners, who have completed their 90 days in a 180 day-period, want to stay in our country for more than the issued duration, then they are required to apply for one of the residence permit types, of which they meet the conditions, and to obtain a residence permit.
As the rule of ‘ninety days within a hundred and eighty days’ is for the foreigners subject to the visa requirement, the foreigners identified below are out of the scope of this rule:
a) Those having a valid residence permit or work permit
b) Those having ceased to be a citizen of Turkey by receiving permission (those having blue card)
c) Those being exempt from the residence permit through the bilateral or multilateral agreements, which Republic of Turkey is a party to, (like NATO force elements)
d) Members of the diplomatic and consular missions in Turkey and family members of diplomatic and consular officers, provided that the exception is limited to their spouses and children, whom they are responsible for taking care of, and also provided that they are notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (these people will have documents showing their statuses)
e) Those working in the Turkish liaison offices of international organizations and whose status is defined by agreements (those people have a document showing their statuses)
f) Those having a “stateless person identity card”
g) Those having “the registration document for international protection application”
h) Those having “the identity card of international protection applicant”
i) Those having “the identity card of international protection status holder”
Foreigners arriving at our border gates after completing the stay duration of 90 days within 180 days in Turkey may be allowed to enter into the country if there is not any other obstacle to the entry and if they pledge to apply to the Foreigners Department in the province where they will stay within ten (10) days to obtain a residence permit as of the date of entry. In this respect, the entry procedures will be initiated within the scope of the general provisions for the foreigners who accept the conditions stated in the standard form handed to them.
An entry ban order will not be issued against the foreigners who exceed the duration of visa, visa exemption or residence permit for more than ten days and arrive at the border gates to exit before a removal decision is taken against them. However, the foreigners who violate the mentioned duration's of visa, visa exemption, work permit or residence permit will pay a fine.
E-visa replaces visas with the “seal” or “stamp” previously given at the border gates. The applicants can receive their visas electronically by entering the required information through the address of www evisa gov tr and make the payment through credit cards. When the application is successfully completed, the e-visa will be sent to the e-mail of the applicant and the applicants are required to show their e-visa printout to the airlines and the customs authorities and to keep their e-visa printouts until the end of their travel. Please visit www mfa gov tr for detailed information.
Limited with the tourism season (May, June, July, August, September), to the citizens of 49 countries stated in the visa regime table who have arrived with e-visa on a carrier other than Turkish Airlines will be given the entry permit in line with general visa provisions and general rules about the entry into the country if they hold a valid visa or a residence permit of Schengen countries or one of the OECD countries.
a) To have a passport or a travel document which is valid for at least sixty days beyond the requested visa duration, (This provision will be applied as of 01/01/2017.)
b) Not to carry any diseases that are described as a threat against the public health, defined in the Health Regulation of the World Health Organization and have an epidemic potential,
c) To have a valid health insurance to cover the period of stay of the foreigner in Turkey,
d) To have sufficient and regular financial resources during their stay,
e) To show justifiable grounds for the purpose of entry into Turkey, transit through Turkey or stay in Turkey,
f) Those who do not pay their debts and fines stemming from visa violation, violation of previous residence permit or other laws will not be issued a visa
As per the Law on Foreigners and International Protection, it was foreseen to end the seal/stamp visa issuance at our border gates as of 11 April 2017. Notwithstanding, the current practice will continue during the transition period including the tourism season of 2017.
To be valid only at seaports, among those foreigners who have come by vessel to travel around the port city or the neighboring cities with touristic purposes and are given the permit of entry without visa by the governorates with the condition that it will not last for more than 72 hours, passports of the foreigners, who are considered to have the possibility to be subject to irregular migration in our country, will be taken by the officials responsible for entry and exit checks at the port, to be given back on their exit and “Port City Permit Certificate” will be issued for them.
Maximum duration of an entry ban to Turkey is five years. However, if a serious threat occurs against the public order and public security, this duration may be extended by maximum ten years by the Directorate General of Migration Management.
It will be notified to the foreigners when they go to the consulates for application or when they arrive at the border gates to enter into the country.
Foreigners who are exempt from the residence permit are as follows:
a) Those staying in Turkey with¬in the period of the visa or the visa exemption,
b) Those who lost the Turkish citizenship by receiving an exit permit,
c) Those having a “registration document” for international protection application,
d) Those being exempt from the residence permit through the bilateral or multilateral agreements of which Republic of Turkey is a party to. (If they will continue to stay in Turkey after their assignment in Turkey is over, within ten days at the latest they are obliged to apply to the relevant governorate in the province they will reside to receive any type of residence permit.)
e) Members of the diplomatic and consular missions in Turkey and family members of diplomatic and consular officers, provided that they are limited with their spouses and children, whom they are responsible for taking care of, and also provided that they are notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (If they will continue to stay in Turkey after their assignment in Turkey is over, they are obliged to apply to the governorate in the province they will reside within ten days at the latest to receive any type of residence permit.)
f) Those working in Turkey offices of international organizations and whose statuses are defined through the agreements (If they will continue to stay in Turkey after their assignment in Turkey is over, they are obliged to apply to the governorate in the province they will reside within ten days at the latest to receive any type of residence permit.)
g) Those having an “identity card for international protection applicant”
h) Those having an “identity card for the international protection status holder”
i) Those having a “stateless person identity card” j) Those having a valid work permit.
Residence permit applications can be made by the foreigner in person or by her/his legal representative or attorney. The authority which receives the application may request the presence of the foreigner during application.
As of 11 April 2014, the residence permit applications are required to be made at the consulates. However, since the transition period is not over yet, applications by the foreigners who arrive in Turkey with a visa or visa exemption before applying for residence permit will continue to be received by the governorates until 31 December 2014.
A passport or a travel document which is valid for 60 days beyond the duration of the requested residence permit duration and the documents supporting the purpose of stay according to the type of the requested residence permit is required to be submitted during residence permit application. Detailed information can be found in the residence permit section of Law No. 6458.
Missing documents and information or the supplementary documents and information to be needed during the application will be notified to the foreigner and she/he will be requested to submit these within 15 days. Otherwise, the application will not be evaluated and be cancelled. The date when the requested information and documents are submitted to the governorates in full will be regarded as the date when the residence permit application is put into process.
Residence permits will be issued separately for every foreigner depending on the purpose of stay, in any case for a period of sixty days shorter than the validity period of the passport or the travel document. Each individual must obtain a separate document.
Yes. To extend the duration of residence permit, the foreigner must apply to the governorate from 60 days before expiration of the residence permit and in any case before the residence permit expires. A new residence permit document will be issued each time when a residence permit is extended.
Including the residence permits issued before 11 April 2017, the governorates receive and conclude foreigners’ residence permit renewal (extension) applications.
The applications for extending the residence permit begin from 60 days before the expiration of residence permit and in any case it should be made before the residence permit expires.
An application made by a foreigner who has not made an application for extending the residence permit although her/his residence permit has expired and has an “acceptable” excuse will be receive and the residence fee for the duration between the end of the residence permit and the application date has to be paid including a fine.
Rejection, cancellation or non-renewal request for a residence permit made within Turkey and notification of these procedures are conducted by the governorates. Such issues as family unity, residence duration situation in the country of origin and best interest of the child are taken into account during these procedures and the decision on residence permit may be postponed. Rejection, cancellation or non-renewal of the residence permit will be notifie to the foreigners, their legal representatives or attorneys. This notification will also include information on how foreigners would effectively exercise their right of appeal against the decision as well as other legal rights and obligations applicable in the process.
All residence permit documents are published by the Directorate General of Migration Management and sent to the addresses of the foreigners through the General Directorate of Post and Telegraph Organization (PTT).
Residence permits received before 11/4/2017 will continue to be valid after 11/4/2017 and may be used without need for any additional administrative action until the end of their duration's.
As the residence permit applications that were made before 11 April 2017 but not concluded as of 11 April 2017 are required to be concluded as per the provisions of Law on Foreigners and International Protection, the applicants will be contacted and requested to renew her/his application.
The foreigners, who have applied for a residence permit and left Turkey for a short period of time to return back without waiting for the issuance of the permit documents, may leave the country without paying a fine on the residence fee, provided that it occurs within the residence permit duration they have requested and they submit the fee receipts (except for those who are stated in the document to be exempt from the fee) together with their application documents during exit from the border gates, and may enter into the country without receiving a visa even if they are citizens of a country subject to visa, provided that they return back within fifteen (15) days. (This implementation is valid until 31 December 2017.)
If a foreigner with a residence permit will continue to stay in Turkey when the basis for the residence permit no longer exists, then they may continue to stay with their existing residence permits or they may apply for a new residence permit at governorates. Such foreigners will be given a document/letter free of charge showing that they made an application for conversion to another residence permit type.
It is a document which is given to foreigners free of charge in regard to their first time residence permit applications or for the extension of duration showing that the application has been filed at the foreigners department.
Yes. As it would not be reasonable for them to leave Turkey to apply at the consulate before their visa or visa exemption duration's are over, they can apply for a residence permit at the governorates.
1) Private or public health insurance is not required for those who can benefit from the health care services in Turkey within the framework of bilateral social security agreements, provided that they document this situation.
2) “Travel health insurance” covering the duration of stay will be requested from the foreigners who request a residence permit in Turkey for less than a year. If the travel health insurance does not cover the whole residence permit duration, the residence permit is given to the foreigner but she/he is notified that the residence permit should be used by extending the insurance duration; otherwise, cancellation of the permit may be possible.
3) For the residence permit applications for a year or more; a) Residence permit procedures of those who prove that they have applied to the Social Security Administration to have general health insurance will be concluded without seeking for the valid health insurance condition. However, they should apply to the Social Security Administration after receiving the residence permit and inform the authority, which they have received the residence permit from, after finalizing this insurance. Otherwise, their residence permits will be cancelled. (Valid health insurance is not required for the relatives of these people, whom they are liable for looking after.) b) “Private health insurance for one year” covering the costs of outpatient and inpatient treatments and the costs of medicine and medical equipment is required for those who have not applied to the Social Security Administration. (If the foreigner has foreign private health insurance but this insurance does not cover her/his relatives she/he is liable for looking after, a valid health insurance is not required for her/his relatives.)
4) Foreigners who apply for student residence permits are included within the scope of general health insurance if they make a request within 3 months of the first registration date. Thus, the conditions set for a valid health insurance do not apply to these foreigners. However, the foreign students who do not apply within 3 months as of the registration date are required to obtain an annual private health insurance “covering inpatient and outpatient treatments”.
5) The condition of any valid health insurance is not required for the foreigners who are being treated or brought to our country to be treated for free in our country within the scope of the agreements, protocols and the relevant legislation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided that document this situation.
6) If the foreigners have a valid health insurance that they obtained in their home countries covering them in Turkey, such insurances are also regarded as valid within the scope of above mentioned rules.
7) As of 20 June 2014, statement of compliance with the Law No. 6458 will be sought in the insurance policy. Undersecretary of Treasury has notified the insurance companies about the required standards.
Registration in the address registration system will be made at the Civil Registration Offices within twenty working days from their entry into the country for the foreigners who received residence or work permits from the consulates and from the date when the permits are notified to them for those who received residence or work permits within the country.
The ports or marinas where the yachts are anchored are accepted as residence address during residence permit procedures for the foreigners who want to stay in the yacht rather than a residence address such as a house, a hotel or a hostel. Residence permit documents are sent to these addresses.
Time spent as a prisoner or detainee in prison or under administrative detention in removal centers beyond the expiry date of the residence permit will not be considered as a breach of the time limit of the residence permit. No administrative sanctions will be imposed on such foreigners due to violations of visa or residence permit. Any such person, who does not have one, will be issued a foreigner identity number without the requirement of holding a residence permit.
The foreigners who change their residence from the province where they received the residence permit to another address in another province are required to file an application for a new residence permit within 20 working days at the latest to reside in the province they have moved to. For this process, if the residence permit type does not change, a new residence permit document is issued but the fee is not paid again for the duration of the relevant fee.
The foreigners are obliged to make notification within 20 working days if their home addresses, marital status, names or surnames in their passports change. If the residence permit document is lost, stolen or worn; the residence permit document will be issued again. In this case, fee for the residence permit document has to be fully paid and fee for this permit has to be paid in half. Wrong or faulty information in the residence permit document stemming from the administration will be immediately corrected and data entry will be made to issue a new residence permit document.
No. As the “work permit” and “work permit exemption confirmation document” will be regarded as a residence permit, those having a valid work permit are not required to receive a residence permit additionally. Duration's of work permit and work permit exemption confirmation document are added to the total duration in calculation of residence permit duration's.
It may be issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security as well as the public institutions and organizations that are entitled to issue work permits pursuant to their own special legislation's.
Foreigners who are exempt from work permit and arrive in the country after obtaining a visa from our foreign representative offices that is appropriate for their purpose of visit will not be obliged to obtain a residence permit for stays up to ninety days if their visa durations are sufficient. If they submit documents to prove their situations at the end of this period, they will be given a “short-term residence permit.” Foreigners who have arrived in Turkey without obtaining a visa appropriate for their purposes and stated that they are exempt from work permit and proved their situations with a document obtained from the relevant institutions or organizations, will be given a “short-term residence permit” after paying an entry visa fee regardless of whether they are subject to visa or not.
Those who arrived in Turkey before 11 April 2017 by obtaining a work permit but have not received a residence permit yet can continue to use their work permits after paying the residence permit fee for the duration of the work permit. This procedure is carried out at the governorates.
Any stay outside of Turkey exceeding a total of six months within one year or a total of one year within the last five years for reasons other than compulsory public service, education or health reasons will be considered an interruption of residence. In cases where there is an interruption of residence, the previous residence duration's will not be taken into account for a residence permit application or changing to another residence permit. In the calculation of continuous residence permits, half of the duration of student resident permits and the full duration of all other types of residence permits will be taken into account. Duration's of work permit and “Work Permit Exemption Confirmation Document” are included in the total duration while calculating the residence permit duration's. Residence permits obtained through a fraudulent marriage and cancelled later will not be taken into account in the calculation of total residence duration's.
If a foreigner who holds a student residence permit can meet the conditions for acquiring a family residence permit, then a family residence permit will be issued for the foreigner and she/he will continue to benefit from the rights granted with the student residence permit as long as she/he continues to meet the conditions for a student residence permit. If a foreigner who holds a family residence permit can meet the conditions for acquiring a student residence permit, then the family residence permit of the foreigner will not be cancelled and the foreigner will continue to benefit from the rights granted with the student residence permit.
If a foreigner who holds a work permit can meet the conditions for acquiring a student residence permit, then the work permit will not be cancelled and this person will continue to benefit from the rights granted with the student residence permit before being transferred to the student residence permit. If a foreigner, who holds a residence permit on humanitarian grounds or a residence permit for victims of human trafficking, can meet the conditions for receiving a student residence permit, the foreigner can benefit from the rights granted with the student residence permit before acquiring the student residence permit.
As per Article 42 of the Law numbered 6458; refugees, conditional refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries as well as persons under temporary protection or humanitarian residence permit holders are not entitled to the right of transfer to a long-term residence permit.
a) “Short-Term Residence Permits” which will be issued for a maximum of one year at a time.
b) “Family Residence Permits” which will be issued for a maximum of two years at a time.
c) “Student Residence Permits” which will be issued in line with the length of study.
d) “Long-Term Residence Permits” which will be issued without any time limitation.
e) “Humanitarian Residence Permits” which will be issued for a maximum of one year at a time.
f) “Residence Permits For Victims of Human Trafficking” which will be issued first for thirty days and may be renewed for up to six months at a time and to exceed three years in total.
A short-term residence permit may be granted to those who:
a) arrives to conduct scientific research;
b) owns real estate in Turkey;
c) wishes to establish a business or commercial connections;
d) participates in on-the-job training programs;
e) arrives to attend educational or similar programs as part of a student exchange program or agreements to which the Republic of Turkey is a party to;
f) wishes to stay for tourism purposes;
g) intends to receive medical treatment, provided that they do not have a disease posing a public health threat;
h) is required to stay in Turkey pursuant to a request or a decision of judicial or administrative authorities;
i) converts from a family residence permit to a short-term residence permit;
j) attends a Turkish language course;
k) attends an education or a research program, an internship or a course through the agency of a public institution in Turkey;
l) files an application within six months upon graduation from a higher education program in Turkey.
a) To apply for a short-term residence permit and submit the information and documents regarding the application;
b) Not to fall within the scope of the foreigners who will not be allowed to enter into Turkey; 1) Those who do not hold a passport, a travel document, a visa, a residence or a work permit or such documents or permits obtained deceptively or, such false documents or permits; 2) Those whose passport or travel document expires sixty days prior to the expiry date of the visa, visa exemption or the residence permit; 3) Without prejudice to paragraph two of Article 15, foreigners listed in paragraph one of Article 15 even if they are exempted from a visa;
c) To live in accommodation conditions which conform to general health and safety standards;
d) Upon request, to present criminal record certifi¬cate issued by the competent authorities in their country of citizenship or legal residence;
e) To submit information on their address of stay in Turkey.
The implementations for the foreigners who will make archaeological excavation and surface survey and the foreigners who are outside this scope who will make direct research, examination, filming and similar activities will continue the same way as before within the framework of existing legislation. Foreigners involved in archaeological excavation and surface survey are required to obtain a visa from our foreign representative offices in accordance with their purposes.
Those arriving with such visas may stay up to ninety days without acquiring a residence permit if their visa durations are sufficient. Residence permits for the foreigners under both archaeological excavation and surface survey and other types of research will be issued as “short-term residence permits.” Therefore, these foreigners are required to meet the conditions for short-term residence permit stated in Article 32 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.
Residence permit applications of these individuals will be accepted without a request for an additional letter if they submit their press cards and “Short-Term Residence Permits” will be issued for them as per Article 31 of the Law No. 6458.
It is the residence permit type given to Turkish citizens, those who left Turkish citizenship by permission, foreigners who hold any residence permit in Turkey, refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries to ensure the unity of family with their relatives as stated in the Law.
Family residence permit may be granted not to exceed two years at a time. The duration of the family residence permit cannot exceed the duration of the sponsor’s residence permit under any circumstances whatsoever.
For the family residence permits, a Turkish citizen or a foreigner legally staying in Turkey who undertakes the expenses of foreigners who would come to Turkey for the purpose of family reunification and who is refer¬enced as the “supporter” in the application by the residence permit applicant is required to be present.
The following individuals may be a sponsor:
a) a Turkish citizen,
b) a Blue card holder,
c) a holder of any residence permit,
d) Except for the international protection applicants and conditional refugees; those having an identity card, which can substitute for the residence permit pursuant to the Law,
d) Refugees and holders of subsidiary protection status.
The following conditions will apply to the sponsor:
a) to have a monthly income in any case not less than the minimum wage (monthly net minimum wage for 2017 is 1,404.06 TL) in total corresponding not less than one third of the minimum wage (468,02 TL for the year 2017) per family member;
b) to live in accommodation conditions compliant with general health and safety standards corresponding to the number of family members and to have health insurance covering all family members;
c) to submit proof with a criminal record certificate of not having been convicted of any crime against family order during the five years preceding the application;
d) to have been residing in Turkey for at least one year on a residence permit;
e) to have been registered with the address registration system.
Foreign spouse of the sponsor, sponsor’s or sponsor’s spouse’s foreign minor children or the foreign children of the sponsor or her/his spouse whom they are obliged to look after even if the child turns 18 years old may apply for the family residence permit.
a) If the conditions sought for the sponsors or the foreigners who will apply for family residence permit to stay with the sponsor in Turkey are not met or no longer apply,
b) If the short-term residence permit is re¬fused when the conditions for obtaining a family residence permit no longer apply,
c) If there is a valid removal decision or an entry ban to Turkey in respect to the foreigner who will apply for family residence permit to stay with the sponsor in Turkey,
d) If it is determined that the family residence permit is used outside of its purpose,
e) If the foreigner stayed outside of Turkey for longer than one hundred and eighty days in total during the year preceding the application,
f) If the marriage is arranged for the purpose of obtaining a family residence permit.
In case of the death of the sponsor, family residence permit holder may continue to stay in Turkey until the end of the residence duration and she/he may apply for a short-term residence permit at the end of that duration.
A family residence permit entitles the holder right of education in primary and secondary educational institutions until the age of 18 without the need for obtaining a student residence permit. Those who cannot graduate from the primary and secondary educational institutions even after reaching the age of 18 are obliged to receive a student residence permit if they wish to continue their education.
The foreign child whom the sponsor or the spouse is obliged to look after even if the child is over the age of 18 may continue to stay in Turkey on a family residence permit. Any person reaching the age of 18 who has been residing in Turkey for a minimum of three years on a family residence permit may, upon application convert to a short-term residence permit or any other type of residence permit the conditions of which they fulfill.
In the event of divorce, a short-term residence permit may be issued to the foreign spouse of a Turkish citizen, provided that she or he resided in Turkey on a family residence permit for at least three years. However, in cases where it is established by the relevant court that the foreign spouse has been a victim of domestic violence, the condition for the residence of three years will not be sought.
It is the type of residence permit to be granted to those who will receive education in a higher education institution in Turkey and to the foreign students who will attend primary and secondary schools even though they do not have a family residence permit. Those who meet the following conditions may be granted a student residence permit:
• Submit a document showing that the foreigner will receive education in a higher education institution in Turkey,
• Submit a document showing that her/his care and expenses will be covered by a natural or legal person,
• Submit a proof of consent of the parents or the legal guardian of the foreigner, who will receive primary and secondary education in Turkey,
• Submit a proof of address in Turkey,
• Not have a condition preventing him/her from entering into Turkey.
The permit is issued to cover the entire education program from the starting date of education for the foreigners who will attend an undergraduate, graduate or doctorate program in a higher education institution in Turkey. For those who will receive education in a primary or a secondary school, the residence permit will be valid from the starting date of education until the beginning of the next school year.
a) If the conditions for being granted a student residence permit are not met or no longer apply,
b) If there is evidence that the studies will not be continued,
c) If it is determined that the student residence per¬mit has been used for a purpose other than the one it is issued for,
d) If there is a current removal decision or an entry ban to Turkey for the foreigner or if she/he is among the foreigners who cannot be allowed to enter into Turkey.
Residence permits are granted to the foreigners regardless of their visa types if they arrive in Turkey via EU education or youth programs. In line with the content of the program, “student residence permits” may be issued for those who will attend an education program or an internship at a university and “short-term” residence permits may be issued for others. Documents or information showing income will not be requested from the students arriving in the country for above mentioned purposes.
The student residence permit will not entitle the parents as well as other family members of the foreigner any right to obtain a residence permit. They may apply separately for a residence permit if they meet the conditions.
Foreign students attending a pre-graduate/associate, under¬graduate, graduate or doctorate program in Turkey may work, provided that they obtain a work permit. However the right of work for pre-graduate/associate or undergraduate students starts after the first year of their study and the weekly working hours will not exceed maximum twenty-four hours. The principles and procedures governing the right of work for pre-graduate/associate or undergraduate students will be determined separately.
A long-term residence permit is granted by the governorates for an indefinite period of time upon approval of the Ministry. Long-term residence permits are issued free of charge and granted for an indefinite period of time. The foreigner is obliged to pay the residence permit document fee.
The following conditions are required for converting to long-term residence permit:
a) Having continuous residence in Turkey for at least eight years
b) Not having received social assistance in the past three years
c) Having sufficient and stable income to maintain themselves or, if any, to support their family (Total monthly income of the foreigner should not be less than the net minimum wage valid for the year when an application for the long-term residence permit is filed. Also, the foreigner is required to have a monthly total income of at least one third of the net minimum wage for each family member who she/he takes care of.)
d) Being covered with a valid medical insurance
e) Not posing a threat to the public order or security.
Foreigners holding a long-term residence per¬mit will benefit from the same rights as accorded to Turkish citizens with the exception of the provisions of special laws, and of;
a) compulsory military service,
b) the right to vote and to be elected,
c) entering public services,
d) exemption from customs duties when importing vehicles.
The long-term residence permit will be cancelled if the foreigner;
a) poses a serious threat to public security or public order,
b) stays outside of Turkey continuously for more than one year for reasons other than health, education and compulsory public service in her/his country.
Those whose long-term residence permits have been cancelled for being outside of Turkey continuously for more than a year for a reason other than health, education and compulsory public service in their own countries can make an application by submitting their official or other satisfactory evidence to the administration. Foreigners whose residence permits have been cancelled for posing a serious threat against the public order or security cannot apply for a long-term residence permit again.
Applications must be made in person at the consulates abroad and at the governorates in the province, where the foreigner resides in Turkey, and in accordance with the application procedures defined by the administration. These applications will be evaluated with a higher priority and concluded within a month at the latest. In these applications, long-term residence permit conditions must be be met but the condition of continuous residence for eight years on a residence permit will not be required.
During the review of the application, following will be taken into account and the review will be conducted separately for each individual;
a) Will of the foreigner to stay in Turkey with the purpose of settlement,
b) Whether the foreigner has relatives in Turkey or not,
c) Immovable assets of the foreigner,
d) Active work and labor relations of the foreigner,
e) History of social, financial and cultural relations of the foreigner to Turkey.
Refugees, conditional refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries as well as persons under temporary protection or humanitarian residence permit holders are not entitled to the right of transfer to a long-term residence permit.
Humanitarian residence permit may be granted under exceptional circumstances without seeking the conditions for other types of residence permits, upon approval of the Min¬istry, with a maxi-mum duration of one year each time. This permit is issued and renewed by the governorates.
Humanitarian residence permit is granted under following situations:
a) where the best interest of the child is of concern,
b) where, notwithstanding a removal decision or ban entering Turkey, foreigners cannot be removed from Turkey or their departure from Turkey is not reasonable or possible,
c) where there is a judicial appeal against the actions of a removal decision, an unacceptable application, withdrawal of an application or an application being regarded as withdrawn,
d) during the removal actions of the applicant to the first country of asylum or to a safe third country,
e) in cases where foreigners should be allowed to enter into and stay in Turkey due to an emergency or in view of the protection of the national interests as well as reasons of public order and security, in the absence of the possibility to obtain one of the other types of residence permits due to their situation that precludes being granted a residence permit,
f) in extraordinary circumstances.
Foreigners that are granted humanitarian residence permits should become registered with the address registration system no later than twenty working days from the issuance date.
Foreigners who have the humanitarian residence permit, within the duration of this permit, may apply for one of the other residence permits of which they meet the requirements, except for the long-term residence permit.
The work permits of foreigners who are assigned in the schools, cultural associations and religious institutions that are affiliated with the foreign Embassies/Consulates General in Turkey are exceptional and their permit applications will be made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their residence permits to work will be granted by the Ministry of Interior.
Stateless persons are those who have come to Turkey as stateless or have become stateless by losing their citizenship's during their stay in Turkey. Stateless persons are obliged to apply to the governorates in order to legally stay in the country. These persons make applications personally. However, the applications for minors may be made by their mothers or fathers. Those whose applications are accepted will be given an application document/letter which is free of charge and valid until a decision is made, so the legal stay permit on this basis will not be taken into account during calculation of the total residence permit duration.
The person will be interviewed at the governorate within no later than fifteen days, except for the force majeure, after the application and registration procedures have been completed. During the interview, the information and the document proving that the person no longer has citizenship ties with the country, of which she/he was a citizen, may be requested and in cases where the evidence cannot be brought personally, the provisions about the loss of citizenship in the citizenship legislation of the related country may be regarded as evidence.
Those who are approved by the Ministry to be treated as a stateless person will be granted a “stateless person identification document.”
A foreigner who has a stateless person identification document of another country may apply for a residence permit to stay for any purpose in Turkey. Their applications are evaluated within the framework of general provisions.
a) Foreigners who are considered to be deported within the scope of Article 59 of Turkish Criminal Code No. 5237 who have been subject to imprisonment due to the crimes they committed,
b) Managers, members, supporters of terrorist organizations or managers, members, supporters of criminal organizations,
c) Individuals who use forged or fake documents in entering into Turkey, in operations needed to obtain visa and residence permit in Turkey,
d) Individuals who use illegal means for a living in Turkey,
e) Individuals who pose threat for public order or public security or public health,
f) Individuals who exceed the visa period or visa exemption period for more than 10 days or the ones whose visas have been cancelled,
g) Individuals whose residence permits have been cancelled,
h) Individuals who violate the residence permit for more than 10 days after the termination of the residence permit’s term without an acceptable reason,
i) Individuals who are identified to be working without a work permit,
j) Individuals who violate the legal entry and exit provisions into and from the country,
k) Individuals who have been identified coming to Turkey although there is an entry ban against them,
l) Individuals whose international protection application has been rejected, who have been exempted from international protection, whose application has been found inadmissible, who withdraw the application, who has been accepted as withdrawing their application, whose international protection status ended or cancelled and who do not have right to stay in Turkey according to the other provisions of the Law herein after the final decision rendered about them,
m) Individuals who do not leave Turkey in ten days although their application for residence permit extension have been rejected.
However, individuals listed under paragraphs (e), (f), (g) and (j) above and who come to border gates to leave the country by themselves may not be deported.
If there are significant indicators that he/she poses a threat against security of the country or if there is a conviction due to a crime threatening public order regarding international protection applicants or international protection status holders, then deportation decision may be rendered.
About the individuals who have been decided to be deported if there is a risk of escape or being lost, if there is a violation of the rules while entering into or exiting from the country, if forged or fake documents have been used, if these individuals did not leave the country at the last allowed date without an acceptable reason, if they constitute a threat in terms of public order, public security and public health then the governorate takes an administrative detention decision about them.
Administrative detention period in the removal centers will not exceed six months. But this period can be extended for at most six more months if the deportation operations cannot be completed because of the foreigner’s failure to cooperate and the foreigner’s concealment of information and forgery of documents about his/her country.
The reasons for continuation of administrative detention will be regularly checked by the governorates every month. If deemed necessary the thirty-day period will not be respected. The foreigners, for whom the continuation of administrative detention is not necessary anymore, will be immediately released. Foreigners, who are no longer under administrative detention, may be subjected to certain obligations such as residing at a certain address, to make notifications on set forms and dates.
Foreigners who have been subject to deportation decision may be sent to the country of origin, the country of transit, the country that they passed in transit to come Turkey or to another third country.
The expenses of the foreigners to be deported will be covered by themselves. If this is not possible then the expenses will be covered fully or partially from the budget of the General Directorate. If the expenses are not reimbursed the foreigner may not be allowed to enter in Turkey again. The passports and other documents of foreigners may be kept until deportation and their tickets may be cashed in order to be used in deportation operations. Natural and legal persons are obliged to pay the deportation expenses of the foreigners of whom they guaranteed the stay or return. Employee or employee representative who employed a foreigner without work permit is obliged to pay the accommodation expenses of the foreigner, his/her spouse and children if any, the expenses for their return to their country and health expenses if necessary.
