Foreigners who wish to stay in Turkey longer than the visa-free or visa period generally need a residence permit. The matter is governed by Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection.
Main types of residence permit
- Short-term residence permit
- Family residence permit
- Student residence permit
- Long-term residence permit
- Humanitarian residence permit and residence permit for victims of human trafficking
Short-term residence permit
Article 31 of the Law lists the cases in which a short-term residence permit may be granted. These include scientific research, owning real estate in Turkey, business connections or setting up a business, tourism, medical treatment, education, and investment of a scope and amount set by the President. Apart from certain exceptions, a short-term permit may be granted for up to two years at a time. For applications based on real estate, the nature and value of the property are set by the Ministry (Art. 31/6).
Applying
The passport must be valid for at least sixty days longer than the requested permit period. Applications are generally decided within ninety days. In practice, an electronic application and appointment system also operates for foreigners already in Turkey; the current procedure should be checked in announcements of the Presidency of Migration Management.
Points to watch
- Renewal should be applied for within the 60-day period before the permit expires; staying without a permit can lead to administrative sanctions.
- A refusal can be challenged in the administrative courts.
- A residence permit, citizenship and a work permit are separate matters.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice for any specific situation.