A Residence Permit allows an individual to stay in Turkey for an extended time, usually for work, study, or settlement purposes. The permit is generally valid for six months and is issued by the Turkish government.
Receiving a residence permit in Turkey allows you to do many of the same things that Turkish citizens can do, such as living, studying, marrying, and getting a tax number. You can also convert your driver's license to Turkish, purchase property, and invest in any sector. However, if you are moving to Turkey to work, you will only need a work permit, not a residence permit.
Here, we'll discuss what you need to know when you want to apply for a residence permit in Turkey:
Who Needs to Apply for a Residence Permit in Turkey?
If you are a foreigner planning to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days in 180 days, you must apply for a residence permit. This applies to all foreigners, regardless of their nationality or the purpose of their stay in Turkey.
Different Types of Turkish Residence Permits
Turkey offers a variety of residence permits to suit the needs of different types of immigrants. The most common residence permits are student residence permits, work residence permits, family residence permits, and retirement residence permits.
Student residence permits are available for international students enrolled in a Turkish university. Work residence permits are available for foreign workers who have been offered a job in Turkey. Family residence permits are available for spouses and dependent children of Turkish citizens or foreign nationals who have work residence permits. Retirement residence permits are available for foreign nationals who can prove that they have a pension or other source of income.
Other residence permits include investor residence permits, journalist residence permits, and medical residence permits. Investor residence permits are available for foreign nationals who invest a certain amount of money in Turkey. Journalist residence permits are available for foreign journalists that the Turkish government accredits, and medical residence permits are available for foreign nationals who need medical treatment in Turkey.
How Can You Apply for a Residence Permit in Turkey?
The first step is to gather the required documents, which include a passport, a photograph, travel plan, proof of income or financial capacity, insurance and a rental agreement. You will also need to fill out an application form and pay a fee.
Once you have all the required documents, you can submit your application online. The processing time for residence permit applications can take from a few weeks up to six months, so be sure to plan ahead.
After your application has been approved, you will need to go to a local post office to pick up your residence permit card. This card must be renewed every year, and you will need to provide proof that you are still meeting the requirements for a residence permit.
Living in Turkey can be a great experience, and with a residence permit, you can stay in the country for as long as you like. Be sure to follow the steps above to ensure that your application is processed smoothly and that you get your residence permit card in a timely manner.
Residence Permit Validity in Turkey
The validity of a residence permit in Turkey depends on the type of permit you have. For example, a student residence permit is only valid for the duration of your studies, while a work residence permit is valid for the length of your employment contract. Generally speaking, however, most residence permits are valid for one year and can be renewed.
If you want to live in Turkey permanently, you can apply for a long-term residence permit, after residing in Turkey for eight years. Investing in real estate is one of the most popular routes and after five years, you can apply for Turkish citizenship if you hold the correct classification permit.
Whether you're planning on staying in Turkey for a short time or a long time, it's important to ensure that your residence permit is valid. Otherwise, you may be deported and banned from returning to Turkey.
Conclusion
Turkey is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history. It's no wonder that many people want to live there permanently. However, if you're not a Turkish citizen, you'll need to apply for a residence permit in Turkey in order to stay in the country for an extended period of time. We hope our guide helps you when you decide to apply for a residence permit in Turkey.
Ikamet is the biggest and most trusted online resource for expats in Turkey and those who want to apply for a residence permit in Turkey.
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