Resident Permits: 70 Questions Answered

1. How can I find the address information and phone numbers of the provincial migration managements?

The address information and phone numbers of the provincial migration managements in 81 provinces are on the official website of the General Directorate of Migration Management(www.goc.gov.tr) under the title of “Contact” “Provincial Organisation”

2. Are people married to a Turkish citizen allowed to apply for a residence permit in case of breach?

If foreigners married to a Turkish citizen breach visa or residence permit, they are required to exit the country. Unless exiting the country is possible, they may contact with the related provincial migration management.

3. I studied at X university for 2 years. Later I got into / undergraduate transfer to Y university. What is the procedure I need to follow?

In case of change of faculty or department in the same educational institution and the change of the educational institution in the same province, the existing residence permit shall remain valid provided that the student is not interrupted and notified in time. These foreigners should notify the Directorate of Migration Management about the change of department/faculty/school within 20 working days. If the residence permit time is shorter than the duration of the study, it will be extended until the end of the study period. In the case of continuing education in a different province, the residence permit shall be issued again and would be given until the new education period.

4. Is it possible to go abroad within 90 days evaluation process?

Residence permit application form is being issued for foreigners, who applied for the first time application on the appointment day, by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The application document, for extension applications, is automatically issued by the system. This document must be approved by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. This application form and approved samples of fee receipts provide multiple exit-entry right for each person on condition that you return within 15 days.

5. I will apply for family residence permit, am I required to submit criminal record for each family member?

For family residence permit applications criminal record is required from the person who will be the sponsor. Migration management always has the right to ask for supportive documents.

6. What is apostille?

Apostille is a document approval system which enables the validity of a document and which is used legally in another country.

7. Where can I get apostille?

If you are a citizen of the country who is a party to the Apostille agreement, you are required to get the document from the authorities of the country where you received the document. (List of parties to the Apostil Agreement is on the website of the Ministry of Justice.)

8. Does a document, which is apostilled, also need to be approved?

In order to be used at Turkish institutions, the sworn Turkish translation must be approved by a notary public.

9. I will stay with my friend, may he/she submit an undertaking stating that I will stay with her/him?

In case of staying with a third person (except relatives) the person you will stay with is required to submit notarized undertaking (if the person you are going to stay with is married, the spouse is also required to submit notarized undertaking.)

10. Do I have to have a family residence permit for my child?

In case of meeting the conditions, the sponsor shall have the right to apply for the residence permit for his/her own or his/her spouse's child or for his/her own or his/her spouse's dependent child over 18. If the conditions of family residence permit are not met, they can apply for a different residence permit. Evaluation is made by the Provincial Migration Management.

11. While the application is evaluated if I exit the country with application document and stay more than fifteen days abroad, would there be any enforcement?

If you stay more than fifteen days abroad, you will be subjected to general visa terms. According to the Article 10 you are able to stay in Turkey ninety days in a hundred and eighty days.

12. Are e-government documents valid for applications for residence permit?

Documents that can be used in official institutions provided through e-government will be accepted.

13. While entering the insurance information in the e-residence application form, you are asked for insurance information even for the ones under 18 and over 65 years old. How should this area be filled?

Under 18 and above 65 years; option must be selected for the short-term and student residence permits on the e-residence system. Sponsor needs to have a valid health insurance covering all family members for the family residence permit. Foreigners, who are under the age of 18 and not have a property holding or an income from their parents, do not have any opportunity to to have a long-term residence permit. Foreigners, who are over age of 65 years, are required to provide proof that they cannot be insured for long term residence permits.

14. How many days are granted to submit missing documents?

Migration management might grant a duration for maximum 30 days for you to submit missing documents. Your application will be cancelled if you do not submit your missing documents within the granted duration.

15. Is it possible for two married foreigners to get a family residence permit?

If two married foreigners are willing to apply for a family residence permit (as long as they remain with our residence permit for at least one year in our country or have a work permit), there is no possibility to arrange a family residence permit at the same time since one of the foreigners must be sponsor to the other. Only, the foreigners who meets the conditions of a sponsor can apply.

16. May I make an extension application to change the type of my residence permit?

Foreigners may apply for a residence permit that suits their new purpose in case the reason that made them get the residence permit changes or is not valid any more. They need to make a transfer application.

17. Can I apply for the residence permit with expired passport?

Foreigners, who will apply for residence permit, are required to have a passport or passport substitute document with the validity of sixty days longer than the period of residence permit. Therefore, an application for a residence permit cannot be made with the expired passport. (You can make an application for residence permit with an expired passport on the e-ikamet website. You can write your new passport's expiry date as the expire date. However at the evaluation period passport or passport substitute document with the validity of sixty days longer than the period of residence permit is required.

18. How much money should I have in the bank to get a residence permit?

The foreigner's declaration is sufficient unless any document is requested for the short-term and student residence permits by the administration. For family residence permit applications, the total income of the supporter must not be less than the minimum wage and their income must be one-third of minimum wage per person. Long-term residence permit requires an adequate and regular income. In determining a sufficient and regular income, your income may be accepted if it is equal to the monthly minimum wage, or if you have an income-generating property, money in the bank to secure your livelihood in our country.

19. How long will the residence permit applications be resulted?

Applications for a residence permit are resulted no later than ninety days after the application is processed. The ninety-days period starts after completing and submitting the information and the documents to the competent authority. In case of prolongation of time, the foreigner is informed.

20. For the residence permit applications which documents migration management might ask for about the statement of income?

Retired person identification card and retirement pension allocation document, pass book, international credit card, approved and updated income certificate that has an inscription stating that it is not levied, sealed and signed letter from a company, a document that states bank deposit money, a document that shows the amount kept in a bank for the duration of residence, for rental income real property title deed and rental contract that is not older than 2 years, for self-employed people photocopy of tax form related to the company which is owned or shared, A1:F171 registry gazette, authorized signatures list, balance sheet and income statement of the last three years approved by tax office or certified coincullorship, trial balance of the current year, registration document or operating certificate by the Chamber of Merchants and Craftsmen might be asked for. If obtained from out of Turkey, the documents for statement of income are required to be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and noterized.

21. How long should my passport period be to apply for a residence permit?

You are required to have a passport at least 60 days longer than the requested time or a passport substitute document.

22. My application for residence permit has been rejected, which procedures should I follow? Am I allowed to apply again?

Foreigners or their legal representatives or advocates are notified about the rejection of the application for residence permit, rejection of the extension application or cancellation of residence permit. On the notice how a foreigner may use his or her rights of objection effectively is written along with the other rights and obligations during this process. Moreover if the application for residence permit is rejected, it is not possible to make an application for the same residence permit for the same purpose within 6 months. If you have a legal period, you may make an application for a different purpose.

23. I made the residence permit application, do I have to pay to make an appointment?

No, applications are made via the website and the appointment has to be made online. There is no charge for an appointment. You can make an appointment free of charge.

24. Where should I make the payment for residence permit fee and card fee regarding the residence permit application?

You may make the payment for residence permit fee and card fee on E-Ikamet system using virtual POS with a credit card, to the tax offices collecting non-regular taxes, pay desks of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance or the banks that have agreement with the Ministry of Finance(Ziraat Bank, Vakıf Bank, Halk Bank) by giving your application number. The codes that need to be used to make payment at the banks are: 9207 for the card fee, 9234 for the visa fee, 9233 for the residence permit fee.

25. Is it possible for foreigners, who apply for the residence permit but not to have a residence permit card, to go out from the country?

Foreigners, who will leave for a short-term from Turkey and return without waiting for the issuance of a residence permit after applying for it, provided that the residence permit is within the legal duration and the fee receipts (except for those stated in the document exempt from fees) are submitted, can leave from border gates with the application form without any breach fee. If they return within fifteen (15) days, they will be able to enter the country without obtaining a visa, even if they are subjected to visa of the countries they have the citizenship of it. The application form provides multiple exit and entry right for more than per each 15 days.

26. How can I learn the documents required after I make an application for residence permit?

After foreigners complete their applications on e-ikamet system, the documents required are listed on the application forms. Moreover they are listed as “Required Documents” on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. Detailed information may be obtained by calling 157.

27. I applied for a residence permit, on which date does the duration start?

Residence permit starts on the date visa or visa exemption expire or if demanded on the date of application. The duration for extension application starts on the date the previous residence permit expires.

28. Can I apply for a residence permit through a person or a company?

The Directorate General of Migration Management does not have any conncection with the third natural and legal parties. Please apply for a residence permit personally and do not consider to the third natural and legal persons.

29. Can someone else make an application for residence permit on behalf of the foreigner?

It is essential for applications to be made by the application owner in person. These applications can also be made through legal representatives or advocates who have warrant of attorney of foreigners.

30. What are the codes I can use to make payment for residence permit fee and card fee?

You may make the payment for residence permit fee and card fee to pay desks of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the tax offices collecting non-regular taxes, or the banks that have agreement with the Ministry of Finance(Ziraat Bank, Vakıf Bank, Halk Bank.) The codes that need to be used to make payment are: 9207 for the card fee, 9234 for the visa fee, 9233 for the residence permit fee.

31. Are there photos on residence permit cards?

Your photo which will be on your residence permit card needs to be biometric, taken within the last 6 months and against a white background. Also 4 photos are required at your appointment date.

32. How may I learn the amount I should pay for residence permit fee and card fee?

When foreigners complete their applications on e-ikamet system the amount they should pay is calculated. Also they may check it on their application form.

33. When should I pay my residence permit fee and card fee?

Residence Permit fees and card fees must be paid before the date of appointment for the permit first time, transfer and extension applications.

34. I applied for residence permit but I do not have access to my application.

You need to type your passport number in the way you put while starting the application. You need to try to have access by typing application number, your communication preference and your passport number (or your foreigners identification number.)

35. What should be done if the residence permit card is lost or stolen?

The residence permit certificate shall be rearranged if the residence permit card is lost, stolen, defective or frayed. If it is lost, stolen or frayed, the whole residence permit card fee shall be paid but half of the fee as residence permit fee would be paid. Loss report, should be made through the police station. Then, with the loss report, the biometric photo and the document, which is indicating that the address is registered to the address system, should be applied to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the city of residence.

36. How to get a residence permit?

After making an online application via e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr, it is necessary to attend the appointment with the required documents. After the application is evaluated positively by the relevant Migration Management, the person's residence permit card would be delivered to the address which is indicated.

37. What do I need to do when applying for a residence permit if my expenses of health are covered by board and lodging or public institutions during my residence permit?

During the residence period, if the accommodation or health expenses are covered by the relevant public institutions and organizations, and if the foreign can determine the financial resources, valid health insurance will not be required. If necessary, information or documents regarding the treatment of foreigners may be requested from the relevant hospital or public institutions and organizations.

38. I went abroad when I got permission to stay. Can I apply for a residence permit from abroad?

Residence permit applications are not accepted from abroad, yet. Foreigners, whose residence permit expires when they are abroad, will be able to apply for a residence permit in electronic form after they have entered the country according to the visa regime between the two countries.It may also be made by a legal representative of a foreigner or by his/her attorney. However, in this case, according to Article 97 of Law No. 6458, the foreigner may be asked to be present on the appointment day.

39. How may I apply for humanitarian residence permit?

Humanitarian residence permit is given by the governorates for one year with the approval of the Ministry of Interior, without looking for the conditions that are required when applied for other residence permit types.

40. What is the duration of the residence permit issued to the citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus?

Law No. 6458 Pursuant to Article 31 of the Law on the Protection of International Protection and Foreigners, citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus can obtain the residence permit for five years.

41. I want to apply for a short-term residence permit, I may request two years, but the health insurance is valid for 1 year. What can I do in this case?

If the health insurance company will be able to issue the insurance for 1 + 1 year, 2 years residence permit can be requested or 2 years General Health Insurance can be made.

42. How long will the residence permit be canceled if foreigners with short-term residence permit stay abroad?

The time limit to be spent abroad for the Short-Term Residence Permit was abolished within the framework of the International Labor Law No. 6735 published in the Official Gazette on 13.08.2016. The periods before the mentioned date, according to this type of residence permit and the breach, if any, shall apply.

43. How long is a short term residence permit granted?

As a rule, short term residence permit can be issued for a maximum of two years. The determination of residence permit duration is at the discretion of the administration. Also, the short-term residence permit in Turkey can be issued to the foreigner and foreigner's spouse, their minor and dependent foreign children, who are not employed in Turkey but who will invest within the scope and amount to be determined by the Council of Ministers and to citizens of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for five years.

44. I changed my address during my current residence permit. What should I do? If this address is in a different province, will my residence permit be cancelled?

The foreigners, who are willing to change their address from the residence province to another province are applying for a new residence permit in that city where they have moved, need to notify the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management within 20 working days. In this process, a new residence permit is issued if the type of residence permit does not change, but the fees will not be charged again. If you have moved to another address within the boundaries of your province, it is enough to notify the new Provincal Migration Management within 20 working days. In this case, a new residence permit card will not be issued and you can continue to stay in our country with your current residence permit.

45. When should I make the residence permit application for extension?

Resindence permit extension applications can be done at least sixty days before, and in any case before the expiration of your residence permit.

46. I made online paymet, where can I get my fee receipts?

For online payments, you can print one-off output from the "Download Receipt (PDF)” tab. If not possible, you can print the output from“ https://spos.gib.gov.tr/Spos/Sorgu” website, with the accrual number.

47. Are student residence permits charged?

The residence permit is issued free of charge to the students of Turkish schools or faculties. Apart from these, residence permit fee is collected from students which are not Turkish schools such as consulates, embassy schools and international schools.

48. I'm holding a student residence permit. I got married with a Turkish citizen. Do I need to change the type of residence permit? Can I get a family residence permit if I meet the conditions?

If the conditions for obtaining a family residence permit of a foreigner who has a student residence permit arise and applies, a family residence permit may be issued to this person. In addition, as long as the student continues to fulfil the residence permit conditions, the student will enjoy the same rights as the residence permit. The student can continue his / her legal stay with a residence permit if he / she wishes.

49. I graduated long before my student residence permit expired. Will my residence permit continue, how should I proceed?

The residence permit of the grad students is cancelled as of the date of graduation and is required to apply for a residence permit suitable for the purpose of the new stay within ten days. The residence permit of the student who cannot graduate during the education period is extended for a maximum period of one year and does not exceed the maximum education period.

50. Which type of residence permit can foreigners apply for private students, open education or distance education?

Student residence permit is not allowed on the grounds of special student, open education or distance education. You are required to apply for one of the residence permit which you meet the conditions.

51. Is it necessary to notify in case of a passport change?

Foreigners, who change their passport are required to notified to the governorship (Migration Management) within 20 working days.

52. What can I do if I get the passport matching error?

You are required to choose the correct type (private, ordinary, diplomatic passport etc.) of the passport which you entry to Turkey. Unless it is a passport acquired as a result of a special situation, ordinary passport must be chosen. On the field for passport or travel document, you must enter your passport information which you entered to Turkey. In cases where the travel document that has been used for the entry is lost, expired or renewed without exiting the country, it is essential to use your last travel document with which you entered the country. In addition you must use your new passport's validity date. If you have dual citizenship, the system will only recognize one of your passports, which is your last passport that you have used to enter Turkey. The ones among the newborns that have no entry/exit records on their passports, have to apply to the Migration Management. If no match warning message still shows up one-residency page and even if you have applied the previous instructions above, all variations should be tried with letters, without letters and leaving a space between numbers and letters. There is MRZ section on the personal info page of your passport. Please check your passport number on it and type the same passport number written on the MRZ section. If your passport is written in this number, you need to enter the data in the same way. Foreigners, who have entered Turkey before 2007 and have no entry-exit after this date, should apply to the related Directorate of Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The foreigners who have entered with their national ID card and who have their passports with themselves, have to apply to the Migration Management. The foreigners whose nationality is stateless on the entry records, or who have entered Turkey with Refugee Travel Document, have to apply to the Migration Management. The foreigners who receives no match warning message on the e-residency system because of the absence of the countries name such as South Sudan, Democratic Congo and Taiwan or appearing with a different name, have to apply to the Migration Management.

53. Is there any sanction if I cannot go to the provincial immigration directorate on the appointment day?

Your application will not be processed. If your legal period is in progress, you can make a new appointment and attend your appointment. If your legal period has expired and you have applied for the first time, you are subject to a breach of the visa and if your legal period has expired and you have applied for an extension application you are subject to a breach of the residence permit.

54. My visa-residence period will be over, before the appointment date. Will it be a problem?

Foreigners whose visa and residence permit have expired before the date of appointment are allowed to stay in our country until the date of appointment with the application form.

55. What can I do if I get the insurance mismatching (not matching) error?

In this case, first of all you need to contact with your insurance company to get information about your policy number/insurance company name/renewal of insurance number/starting and ending date of the insurance during the application. In addition, if there is no renewal number in your insurance policy and foreigner has got the insurance from the insurance company for the first time, the renewal number is "0 (zero)" , "1" for the second time, "2" for third time. And also, for the insurance information, data entries should be tried with numbers, not letters. You should contact your insurance company for detailed information.

56. For how long does it take for foreigners, who enter to Turkey with a conditional entry, to apply for residence permit?

If you enter with a conditional entry, you are required to apply for the residence permit in the e-residency tab at www.goc.gov.tr within 10 days.

57. Can I get a residence permit with my family on real estate?

In the applications for residence permit made on real estate; the real estate property must be residential and used for this purpose. In case of family members having common or joint ownership rights on the real estate, family members may also apply for the residence permit within the scope of this paragraph.

58. What is the procedure for obtaining a residence permit for primary and secondary school students?

Foreign children, who are staying with a family residence permit, can benefit from the right to education in our country. These foreigners do not need to have any other residence permit. A consent certificate, birth certificate and undertaking certificate are required for student residence permit applicants who are under 18 years and who are not accompanied by their parents.. However, foreigners, who are going to study at primary and secondary schools, are required to have a visa which meets their purpose of visit. On the other hand, the residence permit is organized with a one-year period to those under the scope of the school year from the beginning of the academic year until the beginning of the next academic year.

59. I enrolled in a course for learning Turkish. How are the residence permit procedures?

If you enrol in a Turkish language course directly, you can get a short term residence permit only if you have arrived in our country with a Turkish language course visa. However, this residence permit can only be issued twice. If you register to the university and if you are directed to TÖMER by the university, Student Residence Permit is issued until the beginning of the next education period if you proof your situation. Students, who come to our country to receive a visa for education but not register for the university because they do not have sufficient Turkish level, and directed to the Turkish language course, are allowed to have a short term residence permit.

60. What is the procedure for the foreigner babies born in Turkey?

They can stay in Turkey for 6 months, depending on the validity of their parents residence permit, with the birth certificate issued in the hospital. Within this period, a passport must be obtained and a residence permit application must be made provided that it starts on the date of birth. For children born outside the hospital, a document issued from the mukhtar office is required.

61. How should we proceed in order to have a residence permit for foreigner babies were born in Turkey?

Foreign children, who were born in Turkey, can stay in Turkey with birth certificates until their travel document is issued and made an application for residence permit depending on the validity of their parents residence permits. Birth certificate itself does not give the right to enter and exit from Turkey. For these children, it is compulsory to obtain a residence permit within one hundred and eighty days. The residence permit is issued to be valid from the date of birth of the child.

62. I'm staying with stateless status in Turkey, can I apply for a residence permit?

The stateless person's identity card is replaced as a residence permit, and if you request a residence permit, you have the right to apply for a residence permit which you meet the conditions.

63. I'm applying for an extension. Although I enter the same information, the system directs me to make an appointment.

For residence permit applications, the mail procedure has been terminated and appointment system has been started for all provinces (81 provinces) as of 2 May 2019. Foreigners applying for extension application are required to present at the Provincial Directorates of Migration Management on the date and time of the appointment specified in the application forms.

64. Can I enter and exit without any restrictions if I get a long term residence permit?

Long-term residence permits will be cancelled in case of staying out of Turkey without interruption more than one year, except the reasons for health, education and civil service obligation.

65. What are the conditions for applying for the long-term residence permit?

With regard to the issuing long-term residence permit the following conditions shall apply: (a) having continues residence in Turkey for at least eight years b) not having received social assistance in the past three years. (b) having sufficient and stable income to maintain themselves or, if any, support their family. (ç) to be covered with a valid medical insurance d) not to be posing a public order or public security threat. Subject to subparagraph (d), the conditions stipulated in the first paragraph shall not apply to foreigners who are considered appropriate for a long-term residence permit due to meeting the conditions determined by the Migration Policies Board.

66. My visa is expired. In how many days can I apply for a residence permit?

Online applications made within 10 days after the expire of the visa-visa exemption, will be evaluated.

67. I have a visa / residence breach. How much I have to pay for?

In case of breach, the amount of the penalty is required. Since the tuition amount is determined within the framework of the agreements with the countries, it differs in terms of each country. There is also a difference in terms of the duration of the breach, nationality and age. Penalties can be informed at the border gates when you exit from our country.

68. Is it considered to have a breach of visa or residence permit when the foreigner is in detention?

Those who remain in prison as a prisoner or convict after the procedure has not been deemed to have violated a visa or residence permit. If there is a breach of visa or residence permit before the procedure is established, the proceedings shall be made in accordance with the general provisions for the periods of breach and the residence permits shall be cancelled.

69. Is there a separate type of residence permit for those who live in the yacht?

There is no a type of residence. You can apply for a residence permit which you meet the conditions.

70. My friend will come to study open education from abroad. Can we apply for a student residence permit?

Student residence permit is not allowed on the grounds of special student, open education or distance education.

Taken from https://en.goc.gov.tr

Updated on 2 Aug 2022

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