What Is a Residence Permit?
A residence permit (ikamet izni) is the document that allows a foreign national to stay in Turkey legally beyond the period granted by a visa or visa exemption. Applications are handled by the Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi), primarily through the online e-İkamet system.
Main Types of Residence Permit
| Permit Type | For Whom | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term | Tourism, property owners, business ties | Up to 2 years per grant |
| Family | Spouse/children of citizens or permit holders | Up to 3 years per grant |
| Student | Those enrolled in education | Duration of study |
| Long-term | After the required years of lawful residence | Indefinite |
Application Process and Documents
The typical route is: create an e-İkamet application online, attend the appointment, and submit documents such as a valid passport, biometric photos, proof of address, valid health insurance and proof of sufficient means. The permit is issued for the relevant purpose and must be renewed before it expires.
Foreign nationals who wish to stay in Turkey longer than the period allowed by their visa or visa exemption must obtain a residence permit appropriate to their purpose of stay.
The principal types are short-term, family, student and long-term residence permits. There are also humanitarian and victim-of-human-trafficking permits for specific situations.
Yes. Owning residential property in Turkey is a recognised ground for a short-term residence permit, subject to the applicable conditions and documentation.
Applications are generally made online through the e-İkamet system of the Presidency of Migration Management, followed by an appointment where documents are submitted.
A long-term residence permit is generally available to foreigners who have resided in Turkey continuously and lawfully for the required number of years, provided the other conditions are met.
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