With the new regulation on residence permit, the application procedure has changed completely since 18 May 2015. Applications are received by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. In order to reside in Turkey without being a Turkish citizen, you must apply for a residence permit within the visa period or visa exemption period. According to the Law on Residence and Travel of Foreigners, this application must be made within 1 month of entering Turkey and before starting any job. While calculating the legal period of stay in Turkey, the condition of not exceeding 90 days within 180 days from the date of entry to the country is applied.
Non-Turkish citizens are required to apply for a residence permit/residence permit within the visa or visa exemption period to reside in Turkey. When calculating the legal duration of stay in Turkey, the condition of not exceeding 90 days within 180 days from the date of entry to the country is applied. For this reason, it is obligatory for foreigners whose stay in Turkey has exceeded 90 days in the last 180 days to apply for a residence permit in order to continue to stay in Turkey.
With the new regulation on residence permit, the application procedure has changed completely since 18 May 2015. Applications are received by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. In line with the practice regulated by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, the practice of accompanying was abolished, and the practice of preparing each foreigner’s application and permit document separately was introduced.
• Residence Permit Application Form (It is filled in electronically. It must be signed by the foreigner or legal representative)
• Original and photocopy of passport or substitute document
• 4 photographs (Taken within the last 6 months, with a white background and biometric. For online application made through the e-residence system, an electronic copy of the photograph meeting the relevant requirements is also required)
• Statement that he/she has sufficient and regular financial means during his/her stay (It is declared in the application form. The Administration may request supporting documents.)
• Valid Health Insurance (Insurance Period must cover the desired residence permit period.)
• Supporting documents requested by the administration according to the preferred type of residence permit and reason for stay
The required documents vary depending on the type of residence permit to be applied for. Types of residence permit or residence permit, which is the term used among the people, are determined according to the purpose of the person’s stay in Turkey and in some cases, the visa type. Those who have come to Turkey only for touristic purposes, for educational purposes, to visit their spouse, to conduct a job interview, for internship purposes, to work in domestic services or for other reasons have the right to obtain your residence permit temporarily or indefinitely.
Although it varies from country to country, 6 months or 1 year residence permit is usually given at the first time. 6 types of residence permits have been determined on the official website of the Migration Administration.
• Short Term Residence Permit
• Family Residence Permit
• Student Residence Permit
• Long Term Residence Permit
• Humanitarian Residence Permit
• Victim of Human Trafficking Residence Permit
In addition, depending on which country you are a citizen of, bilateral agreements between your country and Turkey, and your record in the judicial system are required. Accordingly, the required documents, the fee to be paid, the format of the petition and the duration of the residence permit will vary.
Due to the high demand for a residence permit recently, it has become very difficult to get an appointment with the Immigration Administration, and appointments are given approximately 90 days later. However, foreigners who have applied for a residence permit have the right to stay in Turkey legally until the appointment date with this document, even if their visa period or visa exemption period expires with the “application document”.
Residence permit extension applications of foreigners who have already obtained a residence permit must be made 60 (sixty) days before the expiration of the residence permit, and in any case before the expiration of the residence permit.
For the extension application, a residence permit extension application must be made from the e-İkamet system and the required documents must be completed and sent to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management of the province of residence within 5 (five) days by mail.
During the extension application, the information given before must be entered correctly and completely. Otherwise, the e-Residence system does not allow extension applications and directs them to the appointment system.
According to the Law No. 4817 on Work Permits of Foreigners;
• Foreigners working independently and dependently in Turkey
• Foreigners undergoing vocational training with an employer
• Natural and legal persons employing foreigners
must obtain a work permit.
Work Permit applications are received by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Work permit applications to the Ministry must be made through a workplace or business. There is no permission system that allows foreigners to work in any workplace they want. A foreigner cannot apply for a work permit on his own without an employer.