Turkish Residency
Complete Guide
Your Key to Global Access
Turkish Residency – Complete Guide & How to Obtain It
Turkey offers several types of residence permits for foreigners who wish to live, invest, study, or conduct business in the country. Turkish residency provides legal stay, access to services, and the opportunity to establish long-term roots in one of the most strategically located countries in the world.
Types of Turkish Residence Permits:
1. Short-Term Residence Permit:
To obtain Turkish Citizenship, you have to invest in real estate in Turkiye; you can use the extraordinary real estate service of SM Property Turkiye. With our service and consultancy, you can complete your real estate investment in the right location and at the correct value.
Validity: Usually 1–2 years (renewable)
3. Student Residence Permit:
For international students enrolled in Turkish universities.
4. Long-Term Residence Permit:
Granted after 8 years of continuous legal residence in Turkey.
5. Residence Permit Through Property Ownership:
• Passport and notarized Turkish translation.
• Four biometric photos per applicant.
• Marriage certificate and birth certificates (if applicable).
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled) from the home country.
• Proof of property purchase or investment certificate.
• Title deed (Tapu) or bank confirmation letter.
• Turkish tax ID and residence permit card.
• Valid Turkish health insurance.
How to Get Turkish Residency (Step-by-Step):
Typical documents include:
Benefits of Turkish Residency
Residency Through Property Investment
If you purchase property in cities like Istanbul, you become eligible for renewable residence permits.
For investors who purchase property worth $400,000 USD and commit for 3 years, they may apply directly for Turkish citizenship instead of standard residency.
Visas And Residence Permits Of Turkiye
Turkish Residence Permit Types:
A Turkish residence permit is a permit to stay, work or study in Turkiye for more than three months within six months.
A residence permit allows you to live, study, get married in Turkiye, convert to a Turkish driving license, obtain a tax ID number, open a bank account, buy real estate, make investments, and more.
Depending on the type of visa, the purpose of the application, and the expected length of stay in Turkiye, you can apply for one of the following residence permits.
1. Short-term residence permit
You can obtain a short-term residence permit for one of the following purposes:
- for scientific research
- Establish a business
- Participate in the training program
- As part of a student exchange program, for educational or similar purposes
- For tourist purposes
- Receive medical treatment
2. Family residence permit:
Foreign spouses of Turkish nationals, minor children, and dependent foreign children can obtain a family residence permit. The sponsor must have sufficient income to support those applying for a residence permit to be granted a residence permit.
3. Student residence permit:
If you stay in Turkiye for primary or secondary education, you can obtain a student residence permit. The student residence permit is not required if you already have a family residence permit.
4. Permanent Residence Permit:
You can apply for a permanent residence permit in Turkiye if you have a residence permit issued by the Turkish authorities and have lived in Turkiye continuously for at least eight years.
Types Of Visas For Turkiye:
1. Short-term travel:
Generally, the following tourist visas are issued based on nationality and passport type:
2. Single Entry Visa:
This allows the holder to enter Turkiye once and stay in the country for ten days to three months (90 days). The visa is valid for six months from the date of issue.
Multiple Entry Visa:
Valid for up to five years and allows the holder to visit various times for a maximum of three months at a time.
Transit visa:
valid for up to three months, allowing travel within Turkiye.
Turkiye work visa:
A work visa will only be issued if the applicant has an employment contract signed by a Turkish company and a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security – MLSS (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı).
The work visa is valid for a single entry. Within 30 days of arriving in Turkiye, the visa holder should apply for a residence permit later.
Education Visa:
Before applying for an educational visa, one must attend a Turkish university, school, or accredited language course. An acceptance letter from the university is required to use. Visa applications are submitted to the Turkish diplomatic mission before leaving the country; single-entry education visas are usually valid for one year.
Within 30 days of arriving in Turkiye, visa holders can apply for a residence permit. This allows multiple entries within the validity period.
Visa to live in Turkiye:
If you intend to move to live in Turkiye, you will need a relevant visa (work, education) for entry. You can then apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering the country.