Types of Residence Permits and Criteria in Turkey

There are conditions to be fulfilled depending on the types of residence permits for persons who want to reside in Turkey permanently or for a short term. Upon fulfillment of those conditions, the process is commenced by submitting the documents necessary for application and registration to the relevant authorities.

In order to benefit from the rights of residence that Turkey offers in different categories including short-term residence, permanent residence, long-term residence, and student residence, it is necessary to fulfill the special conditions for that category.

Apart from the special conditions, the certificates and documents requested for the application and acceptance process and the general conditions are as follows regardless of the types of residence permits:

• 6 photographs taken biometrically within the last 6 months are required for applying for any type of residence.
• If the passport of the applicant is not Latinized, the translation made by means of a sworn translator or by the public authorities must be appended to the application file.
• In the case that there is no name-surname distinction in the passport of the applicant, the identity certificate provided by the country representative offices must be appended to the application file.
• Since a certificate of birth could be requested for foreign children, it must be available in the file.
• In the case that the easement and health expenses of the applicant throughout the period of residence in Turkey are paid by public institutions, it is a must to submit the documents evidencing this situation.
• If the applicant is younger than eighteen, it is necessary to submit in the application file the letter of commitment submitted by the natural persons or legal entities in Turkey through the letter of consent of the parents or legal guardian in another country.
• The persons who want to make an application for a residence permit in Turkey must have entered the country with a proper visa.

Short Term Residence Permit

It is the type of residence permit to be received to stay in Turkey for a period longer than the visa period or visa exemption period. The foreigners who want to stay longer than the accommodation period stipulated previously by means of a visa or the persons who have exceeded the period for some reason must make sure that they receive a short-term residence permit.

Family Residence Permit

The foreigners who want to reside in Turkey together with their families or who want to have a residence permit issued for foreign family members are required to receive a family residence permit. This permit which is supportive among the types of residence permits has been regulated in the Law of Foreigners and International Protection. Application details and request conditions have been notified to the concerned persons through bylaw.

Student Residence Permit

It is the residence permit which the persons who want to continue with their education life in institutions operating as associated with the Council of Higher Education in Turkey; enrolling at university for a bachelor’s degree, master’s, associate degree, or doctorate. Foreign students are obliged to receive a student residence permit for residing in Turkey throughout the education period.

Long Term Residence Permit

Foreigners who conform to the conditions of Turkey determined by laws and regulations could make an application for a long-term residence permit. The most important condition is having resided in Turkey uninterruptedly. The long-term residence permit, one of the types of residence permits in Turkey is given by means of governorships following the approval of the ministry.

Humanitarian Residence Permit 

The humanitarian residence permit is a category the application conditions and processes that contain exceptional situations as well, different from standard residence permits. For example; an application for a humanitarian residence permit could be made for many various reasons including the high benefit of the child, in the case that the persons about whom deportation is decided cannot go out of the country, for periods of waiting for results of applications to different countries, etc. The details on the application conditions are related to the reason for the application. 

Residence Permit for Human Trafficking Victims

A 30-day residence permit is given unconditionally to persons entering the country illegally, having been exposed to human trafficking. This permit which is one of the exceptional residence permit types covers the parties victimized in human trafficking. The total period of this permit which could be extended for 6 months when specific situations are in question cannot be longer than 3 years. 

You can be informed about all details on the residence permits in Turkey, and receive consultancy services throughout your application and acceptance process by means of Pick Turkey. You can contact us through our communication line or official website and complete all imperfections with respect to the residence process.