Residence Permit Types
22 Feb 2021
1) SHORT-TERM RESIDENCE
PERMIT
Short term residence permit shall be regulated by Articles 31-33 of the Law on Foreigners and
International Protection No. 6458.
Additionally, short term residence permit shall be regulated by Articles 28 and 29 of the
Regulation for Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.
Who May Apply To Short-Term Residence Permit?
1-Foreigners who will arrive to conduct scientific research;
Foreigners applying for a residence permit for this purpose are required to obtain a license from
relevant institutions and organizations (The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Energy,
universities etc.) if the scientific research is subject to permission. If it is not subject to a
permission, it is required to present a statement concerning to the research subject.
2-Foreigners who will own immovable property in Turkey;
If foreigners who own immovable property demand residence permit, the immovable property must be
house and used for this purpose. Moreover, immovable property used as house in shared or
cooperated property covering family members gives residence permit application right also to the
family members.
3-Foreigners who will establish business or commercial connections;
If the foreigners demand residence permit more than three months for this purpose, invitation
letter or similar documents will be requested from the persons or companies to be contacted.
4-Foreigners who will participate in on-the-job training programmes;
The residence permit which is granted on this purpose will be issued covering the duration of
training based on the documents showing the content, duration and place of training provided by
the state institutions and organizations.
5-Foreigners who will arrive to attend educational or similar programmes as part of student
exchange programmes or agreements to which the Republic of Turkey is a party;
The foreigners who will request residence permit on this purpose of staying are required to obtain
documents from the relevant institutions.
Residence permit duration cannot be longer than the educational and similar purposes.
Students in the scope of exchange programs (Erasmus, Mevlana, Farabi vb.) will not be required to
submit an additional health insurance as long as they are registered to the Social Security
Institution (SGK), general health insurance within three months from the date of enrollment.
However, they are required to take out a private health policy unless they are registered to the
Social Security Institution (SGK) and fail to take advantage of being covered by the Social
Security Institution (SGK) general health insurance.
6-Foreigners who wish to stay for tourism purposes;
The statement on matters concerning travel plans (where, when and how long to stay, etc.) of the
foreigners who wish to stay for tourism purpose will be taken into consideration. The documents
and information may be required to submit if it is necessary.
7-Foreigners who intend to receive medical treatment, provided that they do not have a disease
posing a public health threat;
Foreigners coming in order to receive treatment must be admitted to public or private hospitals.
Valid health insurance condition is not required for foreigners who certify that treatment
expenses are paid.
Residence permit will be issued pursuant to duration of treatment.
Foreigners whose expenses of accommodation, subsistence and health are covered by public
institutions and agencies during treatment, will not be required to submit determination of
financial possibility and health insurance.
Documents and information regarding treatment might be required from related public institutions
and agencies if it is necessary.
The residence permit procedures of care takers of the foreigners under the scope of existing
" Health Cooperation Agreements" (unless there is an additional general provision regarding care
takers) are carried out based on general provisions.
Furthermore, valid health insurance is not required for residence permit applications of care
takers of the foreigners not exceeding two persons, according to the additional Article 14 of
Health Services Fundamental Law No 3359.
8-Foreigners who are required to stay in Turkey pursuant to a request or a decision of judicial
or administrative authorities;
The duration of the residence permit for this purpose is issued by taking into consideration
duration stated on the decision and demand.
9-Foreigners who transfer from a family residence permit;
10-Foreigners who will attend a Turkish language course;
Residence permit can be issued maximum twice for this purpose to the foreigners who enroll to
institution authorized to provide language course (must have permission by Ministry of National
Education) in Turkish.
If the period of the course is less than a year residence permit duration cannot be longer than
the period of the course.
The institution providing the course is responsible with reporting the commencement and attendance
of the foreigners registered to the Turkish course to the Provincial Directorate.
11-Foreigners who will attend an education programme, research, internship or, a course by way of
a public agency;
The residence permit duration cannot be longer than a year for this purpose. The valid health
insurance and determination of financial possibility are not required from the foreigners whose
expenses of accommodation, subsistence and health are covered by public institutions. Documents
and information might be required from the relevant institutions.
12-Foreigners who will apply within six months upon graduation from a higher education programme
in Turkey;
If the foreigners apply within six months upon graduation for this purpose, the residence permit
is issued only once. It can be issued maximum for one year
13-Foreigners who do not work in Turkey but will make an investment within the scope and amount
that shall be determined by the Council of Ministers, and their foreign spouses, his and her
foreign minor children or foreign dependent children;
The residence permit based on this purpose is issued five years at most.
The purpose of the changes which International Labour Law numbered 6735 generated in the Law
numbered 6458 is to promote the foreigners who will contribute to the national economy and to
provide convenience to them on residence permit processes.
14-Citizens of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus;
The residence permit based on this purpose is issued for five-year period at most.
For How Long Can The Short Residence Permit Be Issued?
Short-term residence permit is issued maximum for a two-year period each time except the
foreigners mentioned in 13th and 14th items above.
What Are The Conditions For Short-Term Residence Permit?
The foreigner are required to fulfill the conditions stipulated in Article 32 of the Law No. 6458
to have short-term residence permit.
- To submit supporting information and documents regarding the reason of stay in Turkey,
- Not to fall within the scope of Article 7 of the relevant law,
- To live in accommodation conditions that conform to general health and safety standards,
- Upon request, to present criminal record certificate issued by the competent authorities in
their country of citizenship or legal residence,
- To submit information on their address of stay in Turkey.
What Are The Reasons Of Refusal, Non-Renewal Or Cancelation Of Short-Term Residence Permit?
Under the following cases a short-term residence permit shall not be granted, shall be cancelled
if has been issued, and shall not be renewed when:
- one or more of the conditions provided for short-term residence permit are not met or no longer
apply,
- it is established that the residence permit is used outside the purposes of those it is issued
for,
- there is a current removal decision or an entry ban to Turkey in respect to the foreigner,
- upon violation regarding the period which is lived outside of Turkey
2) FAMILY RESIDENCE
PERMIT
Family residence permit is regulated in Articles 34-37 of Foreigners and International Protection
Law No. 6458
Additionally, family residence permit is regulated in Articles 30-34 of Regulation for
Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.
Who May Apply To Family Residence Permit?
Family residence permit maybe granted to the:
a) foreign spouse,
b) foreign children or foreign minor children of their spouse,
c) dependent foreign children or dependent foreign children of their spouse,
of Turkish citizens, persons within the scope of Article 28 of Law No 5901 or, foreigners holding
one of the residence permits as well as refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries.
In cases of a polygamous marriage pursuant to the regulation in the country of citizenship, only
one of the spouses shall be issued a family residence permit. However, a family residence permit
may be granted to the foreigner’s children from other spouses.
For family residence permits issued to children, if any, the consent of the mother or the father
who lives abroad and who shares custody shall be sought.
Family residence permits shall entitle the holder right of education in primary and secondary
educational institutions until the age of 18 the without obtaining a student residence permit.
In the cases of following statements family residence permit holders may apply to short-term
residence permit:
- In the event of divorce, if the foreign spouse of a Turkish citizen resided on a family
residence permit for at least three years (if it is established by the relevant court that the
foreign spouse has been a victim for reasons of domestic violence, the condition for three years
residence shall not be sought)
- In the case of death of the sponsor if the spouse resides on a family residence permit depending
on the sponsor,
- If the foreigner reaching the age of 18 has resided on a family residence permit for at least
three years
For How Long Can The Family Residence Permit Be Issued?
- A family residence permit issued for a maximum duration of three years at a time.
- Family residence permit cannot exceed the duration of the sponsor’s residence permit under any
circumstances.
What Are The Conditions For Family Residence Permit?
The foreigner is required to fulfill the conditions stipulated in Article 35 of the Law No. 6458
to have family residence permit.
- To fulfill the conditions applied to the sponsor,
(the sponsor is required to have a valid health insurance covering all family members; have a
monthly income in any case not less than the minimum wage in total corresponding not less than one
third of the minimum wage per each family member; submit proof of not having been convicted of any
crime against family during the five years preceding the application with a criminal record
certificate; have been residing in Turkey for at least one year on a residence permit and have
been registered with the address based registration system)
- The following conditions shall apply to foreigners applying for a family residence permit to
stay with a sponsor in Turkey,
(to submit supporting information and documents regarding the reason of the stay,, to assert that
they live or intend to live together with specified persons, to be over 18 years of age for each
spouse, not to fall within the scope of Article 7, not to have entered into the marriage for the
purpose of obtaining a family residence permit)
What are the reasons of refusal, non-renewal or cancelation of family residence permit?
Under the following cases a family residence permit shall not be granted, shall be cancelled if
has been issued, and shall not be renewed when:
- Conditions set out for family residence permit are not met or no longer apply,
- it is established that the residence permit is used outside the purposes of those it is issued
for,
- there is a current removal decision or an entry ban to Turkey in respect to the foreigner
3) STUDENT RESIDENCE
PERMIT
Student residence permit is regulated in Articles 38-41 of the Law on Foreigners and International
Protection No. 6458. Additionally, student residence permit is issued in Articles 35-39 of
Regulation for Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.
Who May Apply To Student Residence Permit?
- Foreigners who shall receive primary or secondary education and who do not hold a family
residence permit (Without taking residence permit, foreigners can continue studying until they are
18 (for primary and secondary education). However, when they are over 18 and still go on taking
secondary education, those students are required to take residence permit.),
- Foreigners who shall attend an associate, undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programme or
receive education for speciality in medicine (TUS) or in dentistry (DUS) are issued residence
permits.
Student residence permit ensures the student to be only the supporter of spouse and children in
family residence permit applications. It does not provide any right to the other relatives about
residence permit.
For How Long May The Student Residence Permit Be Issued?
period of study.
Residence permit may be issued for the period of study to the foreigners who shall receive
education in Turkey through state institutions and organizations.
Foreigners who shall receive primary and secondary education, subject to the consent of their
parents or legal guardian a one year student residence permit may be granted and renewed
throughout the course of their study.
What Are The Conditions For Student Residence Permit?
Foreigners are required to fulfil the conditions set out in Article 39 in order to obtain student
residence permit.
-to submit supporting information and documents related to aim of stay in Turkey (Article 38);
-not to fall within the scope of Article 7;
-submit information on their address of stay in Turkey.
Health Insurance in Student Residence Permit
Another health insurance is not required if the students request the general health insurance
within three months from the date of admission according to the rules of Social Insurances and
General Health Insurance Law. However, if they lose the right of carrying insurance by not
requesting within three months, private health insurance is required.
Procedures required to be followed by Higher Education Students for changes in University,
Faculty or Department
a) In case of a faculty or department change in the same educational institution or change in
educational institution in the same province, on the condition of not taking a break in
studentship and announcing in time, current residence permit is preserved. If the residence permit
period is shorter than period of study, it is extended as much as period of study from the
expiration.
b) In cases where the foreign continue his education in a different province, current residence
permit shall be cancelled and a new residence permit valid for the duration of the education shall
be issued by the governorate.
Right of work for (foreign) students
Foreign students attending an associate, undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programme in
Turkey may work, provided that they obtain a work permit. However the right of work for associate
or undergraduate students starts after the first year (of their study). Work permit applications
shall be made to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
What Are The Reasons Of Refusal, Cancelation Or Non-Renewal Of Student Residence Permits?
Under the following cases a student residence permit shall not be issued, be cancelled if has
been issued, be refused renewal when:
- The requirements for issuing a student residence permit are not met or no longer apply;
- Evidence exists that the studies are possibly not to be continued;
- It is determined that the student residence permit has been used for a purpose other than it is
issued for;
- There is a current removal decision or an entry ban to Turkey with respect to the foreigner
4) LONG TERM RESIDENCE
PERMIT
Long term residence permit shall be regulated by Articles 42-45 of the Law on Foreigners and
International Protection. Besides, long term residence permit shall be regulated by Articles 40-43
of the Regulation for Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection.
Who May Apply To Long Term Residence Permit?
- A long term residence permit shall be issued by the governorates, upon approval of the Ministry,
to the foreigners that have continuously resided in Turkey for at least eight years on a permit or
to foreigners that meet the conditions set out by the Ministry.
- Refugees, conditional refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries as well as persons under
temporary protection and humanitarian residence permit holders are not entitled to the right of
transfer to a long-term residence permit.
For How Long May The Long Term Residence Permit Be Issued?
Long term residence permit shall be issued indefinitely.
What Are The Conditions For Long Term Residence Permit?
In order long term residence permit’s to be issued, foreigner is required to fulfil the required
conditions stated in Article 43 of the Law.
- Having continuous residence in Turkey for at least eight years (In calculation of continuous
eight years, half of the duration of student resident permits, as stated in Law Article 38, and
the full duration of all other types of residence permits shall be taken into account.);
- Not having received social assistance in the past three years;
- Having sufficient and stable income to maintain themselves or, if any, support their family;
- To be covered with a valid medical insurance;
- Not to be posing a public order or public security threat (except the foreigners who are
approved by the Migration Policies Board)
Rights Granted by Long Term Residence Permit
Foreigners holding a long-term residence permit may benefit from the same rights as accorded to
Turkish citizens with the exception of the provisions of special laws, and of compulsory military
service, the right to vote and to be elected, entering public services, and exemption from customs
duties when importing vehicles.
What Are The Reasons Of Refusal, Cancelation Or Non-Renewal Of Long Term Residence Permits?
A long-term residence permit shall be cancelled when the foreigner:
- poses a serious public security or public order threat,
- stays out of Turkey continuously for more than one year for reasons other than health, education
and compulsory public service in his/her country.
Cancellation of long term residence permit shall be made by governorates.
Re-applications of foreigners whose long-term residence permit have been cancelled
Re-applications for cancelled long term residence permits shall be lodged with the consulates
abroad, governorates or General
Directorate in line with the application procedure.
In re-applications, the condition of continuous residence in Turkey for eight years on a residence
permit shall not be required.
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, assignment and
compulsory public service in their own countries can make a re-application.