Guide to Applying for a Residence Permit for Foreigners in Turkey

Foreigners who want to stay in Turkey longer than the period allowed by the visa or visa exemption or for 90 days must obtain a residence permit suitable for their situation. Applying for a residence permit is not just about filling out forms; The foreigner's purpose of stay in Turkey, address, health insurance and financial means must be supported by documents. In connection with this topic Foreigners Law You can also review the content titled.

Submitting the application from the wrong residence permit type, submitting incomplete documents, or falsely declaring address information may result in a rejection decision. For this reason, it should be correctly determined which residence permit conditions the foreigner meets before the application. Also Legal Remedies for Foreigners Whose Residence Permit Has Been Rejected should be evaluated together with the concrete case.

What is a Residence Permit?

A residence permit is a document that provides the foreigner with the right to legally live in Turkey for a certain period of time and for a specific purpose. The duration and scope of the permit are determined by the type of residence applied for and the documents submitted by the foreigner.

Foreigners with a valid work permit do not need to obtain a residence permit separately. A work permit replaces a residence permit for as long as it is valid. Work and Residence Permit Processes of Foreigners in Turkey its content explains other legal points related to this stage.

Types of Residence Permits in Turkey

The foreigner must apply for the type of residence permit suitable for the purpose of staying in Turkey. For example, if the student applies for tourism reasons and the person who owns the real estate applies through a residence that he does not actually use, it may cause the file to be evaluated negatively.

How to Apply for a Residence Permit?

The first application, extension application and transition between residence types are initiated through the e-Residence system. In the system, the foreigner's passport, contact, address, health insurance and information about the purpose of stay in Turkey must be filled in completely.

For the first and transition applications, it is necessary to be present at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management with the necessary documents on the appointment date given by the system. A foreigner who does not attend the appointment without a valid excuse may be deemed to have never applied.

It is also possible to submit files through notary offices in certain residence applications. However, receiving the application file by a notary does not mean that the residence permit has been approved. The final evaluation is made by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

When Should the Residence Permit Application Be Made?

The first residence permit application must be made before the expiry of the foreigner's legal stay with a visa or visa exemption. Leaving the application to the last day may cause a violation of legal stay in case of systemic or document-related problems. About the relevant aspect of the process How to Apply for a Family Residence Permit in Turkey? There is detailed information on the page.

The extension application can be made from 60 days before the current residence permit expires. The application must be completed before the residence permit expires in any case.

Documents Required for Residence Permit

The required documents may vary depending on the type of residence permit, the foreigner's age, citizenship and the purpose of stay in Turkey. In general, the following documents are prepared:

• Signed residence permit application form,
• Valid passport or passport substitute document,
• Biometric photo,
• Document showing the address to stay in Turkey,
• Valid health insurance,
• Declaration of sufficient and regular financial means,
• Residence permit fee and card fee receipts,
• Additional documents showing the purpose of the application.

A passport valid for at least 60 days longer than the requested residence period must be present. Birth, marriage, custody and similar documents obtained from foreign countries may require apostille, consular approval and notarized Turkish translation.

How to Submit an Address Document?

The foreigner must declare the address where he will actually stay in Turkey accurately and completely. If staying in a rental residence, a notarized rental agreement; If staying with the landlord, documents belonging to the landlord and a notary commitment may be requested.

Those staying at the hotel or accommodation facility must provide proof of accommodation. Foreigners who own real estate can submit a title deed document and additional documents showing that the real estate is used as a residence, depending on the type of residence application.

If the address changes while the residence permit is in progress, the new address must be notified to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management and the population directorate within 20 working days.

Is Health Insurance Mandatory?

The health insurance provided in the application must cover the requested residence period. Health insurance under private health insurance, SSI provision document or social security contracts can be accepted according to the conditions.

It is important that the name, passport number, and date information on the insurance policy align with the application form. The use of a false or invalid policy may lead to the rejection of the application and other administrative actions against the foreigner.

How long does it take to finalize the Residence Permit Application?

Residence permit applications are expected to be finalized within 90 days at the latest from the date of submission of the necessary information and documents to the competent authority.

If the administration requests additional documents, the documents must be completed within the given period. Contact information should be kept up-to-date and the application status should be checked regularly through the e-Residence system.

Can I Stay in Turkey While the Application Is Ongoing?

A residence permit application document can be issued to the foreigner who applies and completes the procedures within the legal period. This document documents the foreigner's stay in Turkey while the application is being evaluated.

The application of the foreigner who leaves Turkey with the approved application document and fee receipts can continue if he returns within 15 days. In case of a longer stay abroad, general visa rules may apply upon re-entry.

Why is a Residence Permit Rejected?

The main situations that may cause the rejection of the application are as follows:

• Failure to meet the conditions of the type of residence applied for,
• Failure to adequately prove the purpose of stay in Turkey,
• Submitting fake, misleading or contradictory documents,
• Not having valid health insurance,
• The address is untrue or unusable,
• Failure to provide sufficient financial means for livelihood,
• Presence of a valid entry ban or restriction record,
• Inconvenience assessment in terms of public order, public security or public health.

Applying for tourism purposes does not necessarily mean that the residence permit will be issued. The foreigner's travel plan, accommodation conditions, financial means and purpose of stay in Turkey are evaluated together.

What Should Be Done If Residence Permit Is Rejected?

The decision to refuse, cancel or not extend is notified to the foreigner, his legal representative or lawyer. The notification should include the justification of the decision, the remedies and the legal status of the foreigner in Turkey.

If the decision is unlawful, an annulment lawsuit can be filed in the administrative court. Filing a lawsuit does not automatically stop the rejection decision or the foreigner's obligation to leave Turkey in all cases. It should be evaluated separately whether a request for stay of execution is required in the concrete file.

Lawyer Support in Residence Permit Application

The residence permit application can be made by the foreigner himself or through his legal representative or lawyer. The administration may request the foreigner to be present in person when it deems necessary.

Lawyer; It can provide legal support in determining the correct type of residence, checking documents, answering missing document requests and filing a lawsuit against the rejection decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to apply for a residence permit?

First, extension and transition applications are initiated through the e-Residence system of the Presidency of Migration Management.

Is it necessary to have a work permit for a residence permit?

However, since the valid work permit already replaces the residence permit, the foreigner holding a work permit does not need to obtain a separate residence permit.

When to apply for an extension?

It can be done from 60 days before the expiration of the current residence permit and before the permit expires.

How many days does it take to finalize the residence application?

It is envisaged that the application will be finalized within 90 days at the latest from the submission of the complete documents.

Does the residence permit application have to be accepted?

The applicant must meet all the conditions of the type of residence he has chosen and prove the purpose of his stay with reliable documents.

Can a lawsuit be filed against the rejection of a residence permit?

Yes. An annulment lawsuit can be filed in the competent administrative court against unlawful rejection, annulment or non-extension decisions.

Legal information: This content has been prepared for general information purposes. The required documents and conditions to be applied may vary depending on the foreigner's citizenship, type of residence, age and purpose of stay in Turkey. Before the application, the current document list and the legal status of the person should be examined separately.