Obtaining a residence permit in Turkey
All foreigners, who would like to live and/or work in Turkey, have to get a residence permit. Those, who are to work in Turkey, are required to get a residence permit within one month following their arrival in Turkey and before the starting date of their work. Those, who are to live or stay in Turkey for more than the period outlined by visa or permitted by intergovernmental regulations, which is three months at most, have to get a residence permit.
Should you come to Turkey for long-term residence or working purposes, you are required to apply for a residence permit (ikamet tezkeresi) within 30 days following your arrival.
For long-term residence in Turkey, the applicant needs to submit the following documents to the local Police Department:
• 4 passport size photos
• Passport
• Photocopies of the following pages of the passport: the page with the applicant’s photo, the page stamped at the last entry, the page that indicates validity and expiry dates of the passport
• A bank statement or a currency exchange receipt testifying to an asset in the amount of USD 300 for each month
Documents required for application for a residence permit for work purposes:
• 4 passport size photos
• Passport
• Petition written on the company-titled paper
• Photocopies of the following pages of the passport: the page with the applicant’s photo, the page stamped at the last entry, the page indicating the validity and expiry dates of the passport
• The original and one copy of the work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security
Granting period:
The term of the residence permit is determined in regard to the regulations, the provisions of the contracts signed with foreign governments and especially with regard to the request of the applicant. The residence permit lasts for 5 years at most. The term may be shortened or extended by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, upon consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in compliance with the “reciprocity principle”. The residence permit can only be extended four times.