Types of residence permit in Türkiye

The Law on Foreigners and International Protection (YUKK, Law No. 6458) sets out six types of residence permit (ikamet izni). Family and student permits are not sub-types of the short-term permit; they are separate permits. Applying under the right type lowers the risk of refusal and affects your timeline to long-term residence.

Short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet izni)

Who it's for: Foreigners who want to stay in Türkiye temporarily for a specific purpose.
Main requirements: One of the purposes listed in the law, such as tourism, owning property in Türkiye, business ties or setting up a business, medical treatment, a Turkish language course, scientific research, or a short period after graduating.
Valid health insurance covering your stay, and sufficient financial means.
An address that can be registered (new registrations are not possible in closed neighbourhoods).
For property-based applications on homes bought after 16 October 2023, the property must be worth at least 200,000 US dollars.
Duration: Up to 2 years at a time; can be renewed as long as the conditions are still met.

Good to know: Tourism-based applications have been closely examined since 2020. Your purpose and plans for your stay need to be backed by convincing documents.

Family residence permit

Who it's for: The spouse, minor child, or minor dependent child of a Turkish citizen or of a foreigner holding a permit in Türkiye.
Main requirements: The sponsor's income must be no less than the minimum wage plus one third of the minimum wage for each family member.
Both spouses must be at least 18.
Health insurance covering the whole family, and suitable housing.
Duration: Up to 3 years at a time; cannot exceed the sponsor's permit period.

Good to know: Children who have held a family permit for 3 years and turn 18 can switch to a short-term permit.

Student residence permit

Who it's for: Foreigners who will study for an associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree at a higher education institution in Türkiye.
Main requirements: A student certificate from the institution where you have completed your enrolment.
A valid address for the length of your studies, and health insurance where required.
Duration: For the length of your studies, issued yearly or for the length of the programme.

Good to know: Half of the time spent on a student permit counts towards the 8 years needed for long-term residence.

Long-term residence permit

Who it's for: Foreigners who have lived in Türkiye on a residence permit for 8 years without interruption.
Main requirements: 8 years of uninterrupted residence. Spending more than 6 months abroad in a single year, or more than 1 year in total over the last 5 years, can break this period.
No social assistance received in the last 3 years, sufficient income and health insurance.
No public order or security concerns.
Duration: Indefinite.

Good to know: Time spent on a humanitarian residence permit does not count towards a long-term permit.

Humanitarian residence permit

Who it's for: Foreigners in exceptional situations who don't meet the conditions for other permits but for whom leaving the country is not possible or reasonable.
Main requirements: One of the exceptional situations listed in the law (for example, the best interests of a child, or return to the home country not being possible).
Approval from the Presidency of Migration Management; the application is made in person.
Duration: As set by the authorities, in one-year periods.

Good to know: This is an exceptional permit and depends on the authorities' discretion. The file needs to be prepared very carefully.

Residence permit for victims of human trafficking

Who it's for: Foreigners assessed to be, or likely to be, victims of human trafficking.
Main requirements: A victim assessment by the competent authorities and a support programme.
Duration: 30 days; extendable by 6 months at a time, up to 3 years in total.

Good to know: In this situation, your safety comes first. You can contact us, or the competent authorities directly, in confidence.

Work permit and Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart)

A valid work permit or Turquoise Card counts as a residence permit. If you have a work permit, you don't need a separate residence permit.