How to Apply for Turkish Residence Permit?

Legalixa is an award-winning immigration law firm in Istanbul, Turkey with an exceptional success rate in almost every legal matter we have ever handled. Our Turkish immigration lawyers are prepared to apply for a Turkish residence permit fast.

Our Turkish immigration lawyers represent our clients in Turkish immigration law issues including; applying for work and Turkish residence permits, renewing, extending resident and work permits, applying for Turkish citizenship, and filing a lawsuit to cancel any rejections or objections.

How to Apply for a Turkish Residence Permit?

Legalixa employment lawyers represent employers and employees in connection with virtually every aspect of working permit applications. Legalixa Law Firm attorneys regularly represent private-sector employers during a work permit application and submit applications on behalf of a foreign employee.

4817 numbered Turkish Law comprises the foreigners working dependently or independently in Turkey, foreigners that are having on-the-job training, and the real and judicial persons that employ foreigners.

New Developments in Turkish Residence Permit Applications

Recently, the Immigration Administration has been rejecting Turkish residence permit applications, especially in Istanbul due to the increasing density of foreigners.  Touristic resident permits are not available in Turkey anymore. In order to get a resident permit, the applicant must purchase a residential property for more than 75,000 USD in Istanbul and other big cities. This amount is 50,000 USD in smaller cities.

After receiving a rejection you must leave Turkey in 10 days or file a lawsuit to challenge the validity of this decision and keep your legal status in Turkey. Otherwise, your status will become “illegal/overstayed” and you must leave the country or you will be deported.

The reason for refusal is Article 32, titled “other reasons”. In our legal opinion, this decision is arbitrary and we can get it canceled through a lawsuit. However, filing a lawsuit alone is not enough, an additional decision regarding the suspension of execution must also be taken.  

If another decision has been made for your deportation, you must file another lawsuit to cancel that decision and to be allowed to stay in Turkey.

Turkish Residence Permit Applications

Foreigners who intend to stay in Turkey for a period longer than permitted in their visa, visa exemption, or for more than ninety days must obtain a residence permit.

Short-Term Turkish Residence Permit for Foreigners

To apply for a short-term residence permit, foreigners who own real estate in Turkey or will establish a business or commercial connections in Turkey must submit the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Immigration Administration (Göç İdaresi) after the application is made through the e-residence system. Short-term residence permits are issued for a maximum of two years. A residence permit is invalidated if it is not used within six months.

Documents for Initial Application

• Residence permit application form
• The original and a copy of the passport or travel document
• Four passport-size photographs
• Declaration regarding sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay (Stated in the application form. The authority may request supporting documents.)
• Official document regarding the applicant’s ownership of the residence
• An invitation letter or documents of such written by the person or companies to be contacted
• Valid medical insurance

Documents for Turkish Residence Permit Extension

Applications for an extension of a Turkish residence permit may be made within sixty days prior to its expiration, but under no circumstances may this be done after the expiry date. For the extension, foreigners are required to apply for a residence permit through the e-residence system. The completed application and required documents should be sent to the related Provincial Immigration Administration Office (Göç İdaresi) by mail within five days.

• Residence permit application form
• The original and a copy of the passport or travel document
• Submission of the previous residence permit document
• Two passport-size photographs
• Declaration regarding sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay (Stated in the application form. The authority may request supporting documents.)
• Official document regarding the applicant’s ownership of the residence
• An invitation letter or documents of such written by the person or companies to be contacted
• Valid medical insurance

Long-Term Turkish Residence Permit for Foreigners

For a long-term residence permit, foreigners that have continuously resided in Turkey for at least eight years should submit the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Immigration Administration (Göç İdaresi):

Documents for Initial Application

• Turkish residence permit application form
• The original and a copy of the passport or travel document
• Submission of the previous residence permit document
• Two passport-size photographs
• The document shows that the applicant has not received any social aid from governmental institutions and organizations in the last three years
• Declaration regarding sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay
• Police record document
• Valid medical insurance

Long-term residence permits are issued indefinitely.

Reach us to Apply for a Turkish Residence Permit

Since its foundation, Legalixa Law Firm has been the choice of numerous clients in Turkey. We’ve always worked differently than other law firms. We are committed to remaining forward-thinking and preparing for the dynamically changing world of immigration law.

You may reach our law firm for Turkish residence permit applications by sending an email or through our Contact page.