How do I get a residence permit in Turkey?

You must submit the following documents using this link .

Residence Permit Application Procedure in Turkey

Q: How to apply for a residence permit in Turkey?

You can apply online by clicking here .

You have to get a residence permit to stay in Turkey for more than a 90-day visa period. Anyone who wants to stay in the country for more than 90 days within 180 days should apply for a residence permit in Turkey.

People who come to Turkey for education, health, or work-related reasons; foreign property investors who buy real estate in Turkey; or foreigners who are married to Turkish citizens can apply for residency in Turkey.

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You can stay up to 90 days within 180 days in Turkey with a tourist visa (Except for countries with visa agreements). Individuals who wish to stay longer than 90 days in Turkey must get a Turkey residence permit.

The residence permit regulations were updated in April 2022. According to the latest regulations, foreigners cannot acquire a residence permit with a rental agreement. To apply for a residence permit, foreigners must be the owner of the property.

Also, the latest regulations have updated some rules about ownership and property values. Foreigners have to buy a residential property such as a house or apartment to get a residence permit. The value of the property must be a minimum of 75.000 USD in metropolitan cities such as Antalya, Bursa, Istanbul, and Ankara. The property value in smaller cities such as Yalova must be a minimum of 50.000 USD.

Bursa Homes ® offers the best purchasing experience to foreigners who are planning to obtain residence in Turkey by buying a property.

Advantages of Buying Property in Turkey for Residence Permit

• You will receive your title deed after the transactions. The title deed allows foreign people to get a residence permit and Turkish Citizenship after some time.
• If one of the parents owns a property and residence permit in Turkey, their children aged below 18 years can get the same rights.
• If you have a property residence permit, you can apply for citizenship after 5 years.

Getting a Residence Permit in Turkey

First, please note that the following terms are very crucial for resident permit applications.

If your country didn't sign the Apostille Convention, then your all documents must be approved by the state authorities (Consulate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or Competent Turkish Authorities).

Residence Permit Types

1. Short-Term Residence Permit

Short-term residence permit has many categories depending on the situation. You must be eligible for the specified conditions in Article 32 of Law No. 6458 to get a short-term permit. You can check other residence types for work permits.

Who can apply:

• Researchers such as teachers or students, etc,
• Training, research, and internship programs organized by the state or organizations,
• Exchange program students or teachers,
• Victims of violence, foreigners married to Turkish citizens, and divorced
• Foreigners who will attend a Turkish language course.

1.1. Touristic Residence Permit in Turkey

A touristic residence permit does not give the right to work in Turkey.

Requirements, Documents, and Notes

• Touristic short-term residence permit is valid for up to one (1) year.
• You must be over eighteen (18) years to apply.
• You need valid health insurance if you are aged between 18 - 65.
• Your all documents must be notarized by a Turkish Notary. They must be translated into Turkish while renting or buying a property in Turkey.

Note: If you want to buy a property, your title deed must be up-to-date and renewed by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (Tapu Bureau).

• A statement from a local Turkish bank that you are independent economically to take care of your other family members.

Note: Financial independence is defined by the Turkish Immigration Bureau according to the minimum wage in Turkey (500 USD now).

• Your passport. Your passport has to be translated into Turkish by the sworn translator at the notary office.
• You must complete and sign the resident permit application form. If you are working with a lawyer, your lawyer must be with you. Because his signature is needed in the notary office.

After the translation of the current passport, power of attorney can be issued the same or the next day.

Note: If your passport does not include the date of birth, you need an approved birth certificate. For a birth certificate, a notarized Turkish translation is required.

• Four (4) biometric photographs with a white background
• If you want to apply for your spouse or your child (younger than 18 years old), you have to obtain a marriage license and a birth certificate from your country’s consulate in Turkey. These documents must be apostilled and stamped. You need to make an appointment for these transactions. Whoever holds your power of attorney, can complete the procedure for you.
• Police clearance certificate.

If you receive these documents from Turkish authorities, all the documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature).

If you receive from foreign countries, all the documents must be apostilled and translated by sworn translators.

Renewal of the Touristic Residence Permit

If you want to stay in Turkey for more than a limited time, you need to renew your permit. You cannot renew your permit earlier than (60) days before your expiration date.

Foreigners with a short-term residence permit cannot renew their permit without a justified reason after January 2020.

Required Documents:

• A copy of your valid passport, translated by a sworn translator at the Turkish notary office.
• Four (4) biometric photos, taken within the last 6 months.
• Declaration of financial status. The authorities may request a bank statement.
• Valid health insurance for all foreigners except dependent children and people over sixty-five (65) years old.
• Copy of title deed notarized by a Turkish notary.
• Police clearance certificate.

If you obtain these documents from Turkish authorities, your documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature).

If you receive these from foreign countries, your documents must be apostilled and translated by sworn translators. If the applicant is a citizen of a state that is not a party to the Apostille Convention, the documents must be approved by the authorities of the relevant state (consulate approval and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkish Authorities).

Notes for Foreigners with Children or Single Parents

If you are single or divorced, you need a declaration of parental consent in the absence of a parent or both. Parental consent documents must be stamped and signed. If you receive from foreign countries, all the documents must be apostilled and translated by sworn translators.

1.2. Business Residence Permit in Turkey

If you want to stay more than 90 days in Turkey for work-related purposes, the business residence permit in Turkey allows you to do market research or attend conferences, etc.

Requirements, Documents, and Notes

• Business residence permit is valid for up to one (1) year.
• You must be over eighteen (18) years to apply.
• You need valid health insurance if you are between 18 - 65 years old.
• A statement from a local Turkish bank that you are independent economically to take care of your other family members.
Note: Financial independence is defined by the Turkish Immigration Bureau according to the minimum wage index in Turkey ($500 for now).
• Your passport. Your passport has to be translated into Turkish by the sworn translator at the notary.
• You must complete and sign the resident permit application form. If you are working with a lawyer, the lawyer must be notarized with a limited power of attorney with you because their signature is required by the notary office.

After the translation of the current passport, power of attorney can be issued the same or the next day.

Note: If your passport does not include the date of birth, you need an approved birth certificate. For a birth certificate, a notarized Turkish translation is required.

• Four (4) biometric photographs with a white background
• Police clearance certificate.

If you obtain these documents from Turkish authorities, your documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature).

Required Documents for Renewal of the Business Residence Permit

• A copy of your valid passport, translated by a sworn translator at the Turkish notary office.
• Four (4) biometric photos
• You need to declare your financial status. The authorities may request a bank statement.
• Valid private health insurance.
• Police clearance certificate.

If you obtain these documents from Turkish authorities, your documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature).

1.3. Residence Permit by Investment and Buying a Property

If you buy a property in Turkey, you can live in Turkey with a residence permit. After 5 years of being resident in Turkey, you can apply for Turkish Citizenship.

Note: You have to fund your investments by yourself. Bank finance or credit is not accepted.

Required Things for Application

• Investment a minimum of 500.000 $ for at least three (3) years in a local Turkish bank, government bonds, or Turkish real estate investment trusts (REITs).
• Real estate purchase for a minimum of 400.000 $ and it cannot be sold until the period of three (3) years end.
• Starting a business with a minimum of 50 (fifty) employees with social security payments for at least three (3) years.

Requirements and Documents:

• You must be over eighteen (18) years to apply.
• Your passport
• Four (4) biometric photographs with a white background
•You need valid health insurance if you are between 18-65 years old.
• Property title deed from Land Registry with three (3) years of restriction on sale documented on the title deed and earthquake insurance. Showing a minimum investment of 500.000 $ for three (3) years; proof for a minimum of fifty (50) employees.

If you obtain these documents from Turkish authorities, your documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature).

If you receive these from foreign countries, your documents must be apostilled and translated by sworn translators.

For more short-term residence types, you can take a look at the official website of the Directorates of Migration Management.

2. Long-Term Residence Permit in Turkey

If you are planning to live in Turkey for more than 90 days, you can apply for a long-term residence permit under these conditions;

• Residence in Turkey for a minimum of eight (8) consecutive years.
• Economical independence.
• Valid private health insurance.
• No criminal records

Note: Short-term absences are allowed in certain situations such as compulsory public service, health, or education-related reasons. However, absences exceeding 6 months in 365 days in the past 5 years may cause losing the right to apply for long-term residency.

Application Process:

•If you provide the conditions, you must visit the Immigration Office with your passport.
• If you reside outside of Turkey for more than 1 year, your residence permit will not be valid. Health, education, or public service purposes are exceptional.
• If you obtain a long-term residence permit in Turkey, you can obtain almost the same rights as Turkish Citizens except the right to vote, work, or enter the public service.

Requirements and Documents:

• Your passport.
• Your residence permit
• Two (2) photographs suitable for passport
• The proof that you never received financial aid for the last 3 years
• Evidence of financial independence (currently 500 $ per month).
• Valid medical insurance.
• Police clearance certificate.

If you obtain these documents from Turkish authorities, your documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature).

If you receive these from foreign countries, your documents must be apostilled and translated by sworn translators.

3. Family Residence Permit in Turkey

This residence permit is generally used by people who want to bring their families to Turkey. Also if you have a family residence permit in Turkey. your children under the age of 18 can continue their education without a student residence permit.

Requirements, Documents, and Notes

• This residence permit is only valid for three (3) years. The applicants who are within the scope of Article 28 of law number 5901, including foreign nationals holding a residence permit, refugees, and minors.
• Document of private Turkish health insurance for applicants between the age of 18 and 65.
• Real estate ownership documents in Turkey must be Turkish.
• You have to be independent financially. (at the moment 500 USD per month).
• You must complete and sign the resident permit application form. If you are working with a lawyer, he must be with you because his signature is required by the notary office. After the translation of your passport, power of attorney can be issued the same or the next day.
• If your passport is not in Turkish, it must be translated by a sworn translator at the Notary office. After the translation, the power of attorney can be received the same or the next day.
• Your passport must be translated by the notary.
• Four (4) biometric passport photos.
• If you want to apply for your spouse, or your child (younger than 18 years old), you will need a marriage license and an apostille-stamped birth certificate from your country’s consulate in Turkey. You need to make an appointment for these transactions. Whoever holds your power of attorney, can complete the procedure for you.
• Police clearance certificate.

If you obtain these documents from Turkish authorities, your documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature)

If you receive these from foreign countries, your documents must be apostilled and translated by sworn translators.

Note: If you have more than one spouse, only one of the spouses can benefit from Family Residence Permit. As all children of the head of the family can be given a Family Residence Permit.

4. Student Residence Permit in Turkey

This type of residence permit is given to students for their education time in an approved Turkish educational institute.

Requirements and Documents:

• Completed and signed application form.
• Letter of acceptance from Turkish educational institutes including type, duration, starting, finishing date, and other information.
• Letter of consent from parents to attend to mentioned program for applicants who are under eighteen (18) years old.
• Notarized and translated passport copy by the Turkish Notary office.
• Four (4) biometric photos
• Evidence of Turkish private health insurance for applicants between the age of 18 and 65.
• A statement from a local Turkish bank that you are independent economically to take care of your other family members.
• Police clearance certificate.

If you receive these documents from Turkish authorities, all the documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature).

If you receive from foreign countries, all the documents must be apostilled and translated by sworn translators.

If your country is not a signatory to the Apostille Convention, all the documents must be approved by the relevant state’s authorities (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Competent Turkish Authorities).

Note: Economic independence index is defined by the Turkish Immigration Bureau. It must be equivalent to the Turkish minimum wage index ( $500 per month now).

Renewal of the Student Residence Permit

• Signed and completed the application form.
• The colored photocopy of the student's previous residence permit.
• Two (2) new biometric photographs
• Declaration of economic independence covering the duration of your stay in Turkey.
• Declaration from the applicant’s educational institute mentioning the requirement for the extension of stay for study aim.
If you are under 18 years old, you need a new approval letter from your parents.
• Copy of private health insurance policy in Turkey.
• Notarized and translated passport copy by the Turkish Notary office.
• Police clearance certificate.

If you receive these documents from Turkish authorities, all the documents must be stamped and signed (Wet signature or digital signature)

If you receive from foreign countries, all the documents must be apostilled and translated by sworn translators.

5. Humanitarian Residence Permit in Turkey

This is applied for a humanitarian residence permit for one (1) year. This type of permit is valid for the ones suffering from civil war, violation of human rights, refugees, etc.

This residence permit is accepted by Articles 46 and 47 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection number 6458.

This permit is not a pathway to resettlement in a third country via Turkey. All resettlement is handled directly by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Note: You can not use the lawyer services to lodge your application for a humanitarian residence permit.

Requirements and Documents:

• The applicant must be applied directly to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management as soon as possible.
• Signed and completed the application form from the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
• This permit is only valid for one (1) year and is renewable. Renewal is on a step-by-step basis.
• Signed and completed resident permit application document form.
•Two (2) biometric photographs taken within six (6) months.

6. Residence Permit for Victims of Human Trafficking

This residence permit is given to individuals who are victims of human trafficking valid for thirty (30) days. Residence permits for the Victims of Human Trafficking might be prolonged for six (6) months.

Note: Extensions can not exceed three (3) years in all.

Requirements and Documents:

• For this residence permit, any documents are not required.

Getting Turkish Citizenship instead of Getting Residence Permit in Turkey

A foreigner who provides the following requirements can apply for Turkish citizenship instead of a resident permit;

• A fixed capital investment amount of 500.000 USD
•Buying a property in Turkey worth 400.000 USD and not selling it for three years.
• Starting your own business for a minimum of fifty (50) employees
• Foreigners who have deposited 500.000 USD to Turkish banks or bought the equivalent amount of government bonds.

For more information: Bursa Homes welcomes customers from all over the world to obtain a residence permit in Turkey. Please contact us to get help from a professional sales representative and for more advice about Turkey's residency by investment from our branches.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How to apply for a residence permit in Turkey?
A: In order to apply for a residence permit in Turkey, you must meet the required conditions. Bursa Homes ® is ready to guide you on this exciting journey.

Q: Does buying a property in Turkey allow me to get a residence permit?
A: Yes, when you buy a property in Turkey, immigration offices provide residency if you demand it. The residence permit can be renewed every two years if keep the property.

Q: If I apply for a residence permit, can the government deny it?
A: Yes. Your application can be refused if there is a missing document. If there are no problems legally, you may obtain a residence permit smoothly.

Q: Should I submit a police clearance certificate from my native country or Turkey?
A: It depends on your residence. If you are obtaining your residence permit for the first time, you need also your criminal record from your own country.

If you’ve been living in Turkey for a short or long time, you have to obtain your criminal record from the Turkish Government also for permit renewal.

Q: What are the advantages of having a residence permit in Turkey?
A: If you have a residence permit in Turkey, you can handle your legal paperwork easily. You can benefit from most of the services without a residence permit. Your residency is compulsory for most legal subscriptions such as internet connection or electricity. Also, having a residence permit prevents the workload and cost of a visa.

Q: Is it difficult to get a residence permit in Turkey?
A: Obtaining a residence permit is an easy process for property owners in Turkey. The process requires experience. If you prefer to do it by yourself it might seem complicated. You can get help from professionals.

Q: Will I benefit from my residency before receiving my residency card?
A: They will give you a temporary residency card at the end of your appointment at the immigration office. You can use this one until you get the original residency card.

Q: What are the necessary documents to apply for a residence permit?
A: You need the following documents for a residence permit application.

• Your residence permit application form,
• Title deed of your property in Turkey,
• Location of the property,
• Health insurance policy,
• 4 photographs,
• Your passport,
• Police clearance certificate

Q: Who can get a residence permit with one title deed?
A: Only families can get a residence permit with one title deed. It might be you, your spouse, and your children under the age of 18. If you want to get a residence permit for your children, you need to provide the apostilled birth certificates of the children who are under 18 years old.

Q: Can I get a residence permit for the property that I bought with a mortgage?
A: Yes.

Q: How much does it cost to get a residence permit in Turkey?
A: The cost of a residence permit depends on the applicant. The most important factor is your age because health insurance prices are different. Also, the number of documents to be translated and your country are the other factors that change the pricing. Getting a residence permit may cost generally between 700 TL and 3500 TL.

Q: Is it possible to buy a property and get a residence permit remotely?
A: Yes. Thanks to our TeleProperty service, you can buy a property remotely and we can get a residence permit on your behalf if you send us a power of attorney. Related Page: Power of Attorney

Q: Is there a permanent residency for foreigners in Turkey?
A: If you stay in Turkey for eight years, you can apply for a long-term residence permit. The long-term residence permit does not have an expiry date.

Q: What is the correct time to apply for residence permit renewal?
A: You can apply for the renewal of your residency when you are in the last 60 days of your current residence permit.

* Source: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior Directorate General of Migration Management