Residence Permit Types & Conditions

To start with the residence permit types and conditions, we can say that there are some different ways to have a residence permit. This article aims to explain these

A residence permit is a legal document that allows a person to live in a certain country for a period of time. Each type of residence permit has its own application requirements, duration, and extension procedures. It is important to carefully review the relevant regulations and conditions before applying for a residence permit . In Turkey, there are some residence permit types;

• Short term residence permit: Can be given for temporary reasons like tourism, education,scientific research, business etc. Usually granted for 1 year and it can be extended.

• Family residence permit: Allows the family of a Turkish citizen or a long-term residence permit holder to live in Turkey. It is valid for spouses, children, and parents. Granted for 2 years. Renewal is also for 2 years

• Long term residence permit: Granted to foreigners who have resided in Turkey for at least 8 consecutive years. This permit is valid for longer stays and requires meeting certain conditions

• Work residence permit: A work permit is mandatory for a foreigner to both work and reside in Turkey in accordance with the law. First of all, the work permit can be obtained by the employer, not the foreigner himself as an employee. Not all employers are eligible to obtain a foreign employment permit. The employer wishing to obtain a foreign employment permit must have a paid-in capital of at least 100,000 TL, gross sales of at least 800,000 TL, or a last year’s export amount of at least 250,000 USD, and other obligations specified in the Law must be fulfilled.

• Student residence permit: Provided for international students wishing to study in Turkey. It is valid for the duration of their studies.

• Investor residence permit : Foreigners who want to get a residence permit in Turkey are entitled to a residence permit with an investment of 75,000 dollars in metropolitan cities and 50,000 dollars in small cities.

• Residence Permit for Victims of Human Trafficking: The application for the residence permit for victims of human trafficking is generally made through security agencies or relevant social service organizations. The status of applicants is thoroughly examined.

This type of residence permit is an important step in the fight against. human trafficking and aims to provide the necessary support for the reintegration of victims into society.

• Humanitarian residence permit: Persons who do not meet the above-mentioned residence permit conditions may be granted humanitarian residence permits by the governorships and these permits may be extended, for a maximum period of one year, in cases specified in the Law. The situations in which a humanitarian residence permit can be obtained are as follows: When the best interests of the child are at stake, when foreigners cannot be allowed to leave Turkey even though a decision has been taken to deport them or to ban them from entering Turkey, or when it is not deemed reasonable or possible for them to leave Turkey, foreigners who need to be allowed to enter and stay in Turkey due to urgent reasons or for the protection of the country’s interests, public order and public security, do not have the opportunity to obtain one of the other residence permits due to their situation that prevents the issuance of a residence permit, in extraordinary situations.

NOTE: Turkish Immigration Administration Directorate accepts that the investor residence permit is a type of short term residence permit.