Residence Permit Guide in Turkey | Immigration Tips for Foreigners in 2024

Hello, and welcome to our guide on obtaining a residence permit in Turkey. Whether you're planning to study, invest or live in Turkey, understanding the various types of residence permits is crucial. In this video, we'll explore each permit type, work permit, citizenship, application steps, and what you need to know to start your Turkish adventure!
Section 1: Overview of Residence Permit Types
Turkey offers several residence permit types, each catering to different needs:
• Family Residence Permit: For those with family ties in Turkey.
• Student Residence Permit: For international students studying at Turkish universities.
• Short-term Residence Permit: Residence permit for specific purposes, such as touristic, business, medical, student exchange program, Turkish language course, property investment etc.
• Long-term Residence Permit: Granted after 8 years of continuous stay in Turkey.
• Work Permit: For those employed in Turkey.
• Citizenship by investment program: For foreigners investing $400,000 in real estate.
Section 2: Touristic Residence Permit
Touristic Residence Permits are popular among foreigners who wish to stay longer than their visa allows for travel, exploration, or short-term studies. It's typically valid for one year and can be renewed. Application involves an address in Turkey, which can be a notarized rent contract.
Important note:
Section 3: Family Residence Permit
Family Residence Permits are for immediate family members of Turkish citizens or foreign work permit holders. It requires proof of relationship, like marriage or birth certificates. Spouse of Turkish citizens and children younger than 18 years old of Turkish citizens can apply for it. There might be an interview at the residence permit appointment.
Section 4: Student Residence Permit
Student Residence Permits are for those enrolled in higher education institutions in Turkey. Necessary documents include a student letter from the institution. It needs to show the student is enrolled and active. The residence can be taken up to the duration of education.
Section 5: Turkish Language Course Residence Permit
This permit is for individuals enrolled in recognized Turkish language courses. It requires course enrollment proof and usually grants short-term residency, depending on the course duration. Usually, it is given for 1 year and it can be renewed for 1 more year. To apply for that residence permit, the foreigner needs to get Turkish Language Course Visa from the Turkish Embassy in his country. To get that special visa, you need to provide an invitation letter from the Turkish Language Course in Turkey.
After you come to Turkey with that visa, you can apply to residence permit.
Section 6: Property Investment Residence Permit
Investing in Turkish real estate can grant you a Property Investment Residence Permit. You need to own property in Turkey and provide the deed as proof. It's a pathway to long-term residency and potential citizenship after 5 years of continuous stay. Note that the property needs to be a residential property and its minimum value should be $200,000. The residence permit can be taken for 2 years and it can be renewed as long as you keep the property.
Section 7: Business Residence Permit
Business people who have connection with Turkish companies can apply for a Business Residence Permit. This requires an invitation from the Turkish company, corporate registration documents. The invitation needs to clearly explain that the Turkish company is going to do business with the foreigner in the long-term and request a business residence permit from the immigration office.
Section 8: Work Permit
A Work Permit also serves as a right to work in turkey and a residence permit. It's employer-sponsored, requiring a job contract, employer’s documents, and often a minimum salary threshold. It is the employer who applies for work permit on behalf of the foreigner. You can ask the details to the employer to apply for work permit.
Section 9: Citizenship by Investment Program
Turkey's Citizenship by Investment Program allows you to obtain citizenship by investing in property or depositing a significant amount in Turkish banks. This program includes specific financial thresholds and conditions. For property, it is $400,000 and for bank deposit, it needs to be minimum $500,000. Also foreigners need to keep their investment for 3 years in turkey to be eligible for citizenship.
Time Codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Residence Permit Types in Turkey
2:39 - Touristic Residence Permit
3:59 - Family Residence Permit
4:58 - Student Residence Permit
5:23 - Turkish Language Course Residence Permit
6:15 - Property Investment Residence Permit
7:34 - Business Residence Permit
8:48 - Work Permit
10:07 - Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program
10:53 - Address Registration in Turkey
11:59 - Restricted Neighborhoods
12:40 - Timeline for Residency Application
13:20 - Immigration Advisor in Turkey
14:19 - The End

[@mohammedal-hammadi5085]

Thank you so much for these valuable information

[@BurakUnal1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tigerking3754]

Thanks

[@BurakUnal1]

Welcome

[@lakschu629]

Hello, thanks for the video. What if I bought the apartment before they closed the district for foreigner? Can I still apply for a residency permit?

[@navdwalt1]

Thank you Burak. Quick question. We as a family applied for 2 year temp residency permit and payed for this period. The application was approved for only 6 months. Do you know what the process is to get a re-fund for the money paid for the period that was NOT approved? Thanks.

[@BurakUnal1]

Hello; refund is a bit complicated. If you paid from tax office in cash, you can goto that tax office. If you paid online, you need to go to Hisar Tax Office in Istanbul and write a petition with you bank number for refund.

[@ssmr2385]

Hi Burak, ..Thanks for the detailed information. kindly clear about difference b/w doing business under short term residence permit and under work permit? - Is there any age limit for getting Turkish language visa and permit?

[@BurakUnal1]

For work permit, you need to employ 5 turkish people. For business residency, you need to own the business, but the general director needs to be turkish. - ıt is better that the student is younger than 35 years old.

[@saeedali1542]

Burak bey merhaba. İ am currently a foreign student in turkey studying aviation management 4 years now am graduating soon in 1 months. İ live 4 years in Istanbul so after graduation if i get work permit can i get Turkish citizenship? With work permit my 5 years will be complete after graduation from university

[@yusifyusifli6357]

I lost my residence permission card, and I have document that shows I lost it. Can I travel to Azerbaijan with only use of passport and not residence permission card. Or I have a picture of it, would they accept it?

[@user-rg7hc4ll7z]

I want to admit my daughter in Turkish language course who has finished her A-level. but I don't want to send her alone . Is it possible to have Visa for whole family or at least her mom and other children?

[@irinaulasien6271]

Thank you for the video, Burak. Is it possible to get a student visa in 2024 for a student from Belarus? My level of Turkish is between A1 and A2. I want to improve it. What courses would you recommend? And do Turkish authorities give student visas to Belarusians?

[@BurakUnal1]

Getting visa depends on your financial status and turkish visa policy. You can visit this website for information about courses: www.turkishcouncil.org

[@nathsumon334]

hi, I'm suman Chandra nath. Interesting

[@carlwylchardjoseph3232]

Hello thanks for this video I have a problem today I had an appointment to renew my card which will end on the 20th of next month but they asked me for two additional documents one (Tarihçeli yerleşim yeri belgesi and yükümlülük formu) what's this document can you give more explain please

[@BurakUnal1]

they ask for your residence document from e-devlet. I guess yükümlülük formu is from the sponsor if you apply with taahhutname.

[@Florist-ic4hk]

Hello, I am filling out the application for a Turkish language course visa. It stands that flight reservation is required, but I am planning to travel by car. From Denmark to Turkey. What documents does they need for that? Car license, travel route, insurance? The embassy cant really answer me, so im hoping for your respons.

[@BurakUnal1]

Good question! Give them a paper showing your travel plan and show papers of car. I clude estimated date of arrival. Contact us when your visa is approved. We can do the residence permit application.

[@azizroshid890]

Hello, thank you for the information. I am a citizen of USA and would like to move to turkey and get the long term recency later on. Which permit am I able to get, I don’t have 200K to buy property. I was thinking of work visa and then work permit, but I need advise on where to look for jobs that sponsor foreigners. Thank you!

[@BurakUnal1]

You can search companies on linkedin

[@certificated]

Am retired and on two pensions from the government, is it possible to just live a retired life in Turkey? I do have monthly deposits in my account , am not interested in work or buying anything or doing business, just want to live a comfortable and retired life in Turkey, age is over 70.

[@syedalihassan7281]

Great content! Sir i have a question If a person goes to Turkiye on a tourist visa, can he enroll in a Turkish language course there and convert his tourist visa to language course visa and obtain TRC.? would be thankful if you reply.

[@BurakUnal1]

He needs to come with language course visa to apply for language course residence permit.

[@syedalihassan7281]

@@BurakUnal1 Okay sir Thanks

[@rominarezazadeh634]

Which institutions are the recognized language school or institution in Izmir?

[@BurakUnal1]

We only offer services in istanbul. I dont know much izmir ;(

[@sayedsayed-ho2po]

İt's not depends to İzmir it's work on all türk even i have friends they live here in us since 40 years they speak like this dude

[@fekelema1552]

Thanks Burak. If I pay 40 to 50% of the $200K and the remaining in two to three years, would I still be eligible for the Property Investment Residence permit? I mean before 100% completion of the $200K.

[@BurakUnal1]

As long as your title deed shows $200k, any payment option is ok. The title deed value on title deed should be at least $200k

[@fekelema1552]

Thank you. Very useful information.

[@BurakUnal1]

You are welcome!

[@BurakUnal1]

If you need professional services, feel free to contact my team through whatsapp call center at www.residentturkey.com

[@noorzam72]

It was good informative video, as I am planning to migrate Turkiye.. I would like to ask you this property residence permit 200K$ is valid till the time property is under my name, incase if I sell that property then my property residents permit will be cancelled? Can i bring my family also on this permit Can i get passport for myself and my family in long run on this permit. Thank you

[@BurakUnal1]

If you sell the property, your property residence permit card is cancelled. Yes, you can bring family (wife and children below 18 yo) After 5 years, you can apply for citizenship and passport. For more information, contact our whatsapp at www.residentturkey.com

[@kaulitz26]

I applied for the language course last September.. i definitely met all the requirements with no issue.. i was denied without any explanation.. i was completely heartbroken.. Do you know for sure if they still approve for language course? b/c i heard no.. 😔😔 that is my only way for now...

[@BurakUnal1]

You can send a message to my team through whatsapp button at www.residentturkey.com They can show you the last visas we got this month for turkish language course. Just type in the message that `Mr. Burak asked you to show me a current turkish language course visa`

[@mansourehjamehgar9057]

They have taken my brother but he dosent have his passport l havent heard from him would they let him get his belonging or deport him?

[@BurakUnal1]

Probably direct deport

[@Mnejad503]

hello I have a question to ask I am an American who is retired in USA. I would like to know is it possible for me and my wife who also is retired to come to Turkey and live there legally without any investment or buying a house. thank you vey much

[@BurakUnal1]

Hello sir, as i heard some cities are ok to give touristic residency if you show your retirement documents. I heard that Mugla Fethiye is one of them, but I am not quite sure

[@johnnixshan396]

Hi sir , I have lawyer paper for one year , with in this time can I get enrolled in university and can I apply residence permit, or if I get get job offer to make work permit?

[@BurakUnal1]

If you are in overstay, you need to leave turkey and re-enter to make a new application.

[@ssmr2385]

What are the chances of getting renewal on touristic residence permit from Istanbul?

[@BurakUnal1]

Most of the renewal applications are accepted! First applications are rejected.

[@mansourehjamehgar9057]

Hi.iif you get stop and dont have legal papers what happens to the person?

[@BurakUnal1]

That person is sent to deportation center

[@johnnixshan396]

Hi buruk sir , i am an foreigner exchange participant intership visa holder , i have home rental contract and i want to join undergraduate admissions for feb but now i am overstaying ,can i apply for short term resident permit by paying fines?

[@BurakUnal1]

Overstaying foreigners need to re-enter turkey to make a residence permit application.

[@rokayamane2668]

How long is the tourist residence? Can my child under a tourist visa go to school?

[@BurakUnal1]

Tourist residency is 1 year. Yes, they can register to school.

[@mansourehjamehgar9057]

I have question if you get stop and dont have legal papers what happens to the person?

[@BurakUnal1]

Probably they are sent for deportation

[@rhodanavarro106]

Sir how about I am married here in Turkey nikkah how can I transfer my Visa from working visa to family visa how can I get kimlik resident visa thank you so much

[@BurakUnal1]

You can reach us through whtasapp button at www.residentturkey.com

[@gn9655]

Is it true that it’s impossible to get short term residence?

[@BurakUnal1]

It is very difficult to get touristic short-term residence permit. Other residency types are ok.

[@ArhanAzadari19]

I have a question if i go on turkey and marry a girl should i get green visa

[@BurakUnal1]

There is family residence permit for foreigners who are married with Turkish citizens.

[@benitasuhwiel7311]

What is the best way to apply for residence permit if my income is based out of America and I can not invest 200k for resident permit. Please help

[@BurakUnal1]

Touristic residency chance is low. Maybe turkish language course might work for you. Visit this website: www.turkishcouncil.org

[@benitasuhwiel7311]

have you ever heard of anyone paying up front for a rental apartment for the year? and allowed stay for the year. Thank you.

[@BurakUnal1]

The rent payment term (monthly or annually) doesnt have anything to do with residence permit application evaluation

[@harunndungu5061]

Do you help in process work permits for foreigners

[@BurakUnal1]

Yes we do

[@harunndungu5061]

@@BurakUnal1 how can I reach out to you , any email address 🙏

[@BurakUnal1]

Whatsapp button at www.residentturkey.com

[@HoudaBencheikh-lb5dr]

انا متزوج وتم رغض اطلب لأنني تأخرة اكثر من 10 ايام مذا عليا ان افعل الآن

[@nicolascas2380]

Is still possible with tourist visa Renew it until one year?

[@BurakUnal1]

These days, they dont gibe new tourist residence permits.

[@ZakirHussian-sh5dy]

Sir I need work permit for Turkey I am a construction and I have 15 years of experience sir please help me

[@paradigital7490]

How to contact you. I want turkey visa

[@BurakUnal1]

Send a whatsapp message at call center at www.residentturkey.com

[@rokayamane2668]

Is it true that the law on property residency is back to $75k? I saw a video today on yt and it's called @income mersin and she said it's true.

[@BurakUnal1]

I haven't heard about it. Do you have other resources?