Foreigners may appy for residence permit in Turkey for various reasons. The most common one is tourism purposes, although some specific reasons are also applicable, depending on the applicants’ supporting documents.
Tourism purposes
The statement on matters concerning travel plans for tourism purpose will be taken into consideration. The documents and information may be required to submit if it is necessary.
This type of residence may be issued for 6 months in the first application and can be renewed (extended) for 1 year each time.
Conditions For Short-Term Residence Permit Applications (for tourism purposes)
- To submit supporting documents regarding the reason of stay in Turkey
- Proof of sufficient income during the residence
- Health insurance
- Proof of accommodation (rental contract or a title deed)
- Passport and photographs
- Upon request, to present criminal record certificate issued by the competent authorities in their country of citizenship or legal residence,
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 in case:
- One or more of the conditions provided for short-term residence permit are not met or no longer apply,
- The residence permit is used outside the purposes
- There is a current removal decision or an entry ban to Turkey in respect to the foreigner,
- Violation of the allowed period lived outside of Turkey
Other purposes for residence permit applications are:
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.
Acquiring an 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.
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.
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.
Education
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;
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.
Foreigners in need of health care
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
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.
Attending 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.
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.
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
Investment
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 for five years at most.