2011 residence permit regulations
Securing a foreigner's residence permit is a topic that arises frequently.
The residence permit process is the one of the issues that receives the most questions for foreigners. I’ve written a few articles on the topic throughout the past year, but because of the volume of mail on the matter, I want to address the topic again.
Foreigners can stay in Turkey on a three-month visa (tourist visa), while extensions on a tourist visa may be granted for an additional three months. However, foreigners who wish to stay longer in Turkey should obtain a residence permit. On the other hand, in order to apply for a work permit in Turkey, the applicant should first have a residence permit valid for at least six months.
Residence permits are given with different aims. Long-term residences, tourist residence, and residences for work are some of them. The long-term resident permit is granted for five years (maximum). In Turkey, permanent residence permits are not given. After the expiry of the residence permit, it can be renewed four times. Persons who wish to extend this period must apply again to the police authorities within 15 days of the expiration of their residence permits.
For the residence permit, you must apply to the local police department with the following documents;
· Five recent passport-sized photos;
· Valid passport (original passport and photocopies of last entry stamp and personal details);
· Residence declaration form duly completed;
· Valid Turkish visa;
· Application fee.
Additional documents may be requested in some cases, such as marriage to a Turkish national, the purchase of property in Turkey or for employment with a private company.
The applicant’s nationality is important in the process of obtaining a residence permit. Citizens from Group A and Group B countries are subject to different regulations regarding the residence permit process; Group A countries consist of European Union member states and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, member countries. Group B countries are everything else.
In Turkey, however, residence permits are not given to all foreigners, and applications for residence permits from the following classes of people will be refused:
· Persons coming to practice a profession prohibited to foreigners;
· Persons not in a position to conform to Turkish law, customs, or political conditions;
· Persons clearly unable to legally secure the material support necessary for the duration of their desired stay in Turkey;
· Persons who have entered Turkey illegally;
· Persons whose presence in Turkey is disruptive to general peace and tranquility.
Refused people, however, can apply again.
In the event of any problem with residence permits, you can contact the police department or governor’s office.
In 2010, there was no significant change with residence permit regulations, and the above arrangements will also be valid for 2011.
Hurriyet Daily News/21.01.2011
The residence permit process is the one of the issues that receives the most questions for foreigners. I’ve written a few articles on the topic throughout the past year, but because of the volume of mail on the matter, I want to address the topic again.
Foreigners can stay in Turkey on a three-month visa (tourist visa), while extensions on a tourist visa may be granted for an additional three months. However, foreigners who wish to stay longer in Turkey should obtain a residence permit. On the other hand, in order to apply for a work permit in Turkey, the applicant should first have a residence permit valid for at least six months.
Residence permits are given with different aims. Long-term residences, tourist residence, and residences for work are some of them. The long-term resident permit is granted for five years (maximum). In Turkey, permanent residence permits are not given. After the expiry of the residence permit, it can be renewed four times. Persons who wish to extend this period must apply again to the police authorities within 15 days of the expiration of their residence permits.
For the residence permit, you must apply to the local police department with the following documents;
· Five recent passport-sized photos;
· Valid passport (original passport and photocopies of last entry stamp and personal details);
· Residence declaration form duly completed;
· Valid Turkish visa;
· Application fee.
Additional documents may be requested in some cases, such as marriage to a Turkish national, the purchase of property in Turkey or for employment with a private company.
The applicant’s nationality is important in the process of obtaining a residence permit. Citizens from Group A and Group B countries are subject to different regulations regarding the residence permit process; Group A countries consist of European Union member states and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, member countries. Group B countries are everything else.
In Turkey, however, residence permits are not given to all foreigners, and applications for residence permits from the following classes of people will be refused:
· Persons coming to practice a profession prohibited to foreigners;
· Persons not in a position to conform to Turkish law, customs, or political conditions;
· Persons clearly unable to legally secure the material support necessary for the duration of their desired stay in Turkey;
· Persons who have entered Turkey illegally;
· Persons whose presence in Turkey is disruptive to general peace and tranquility.
Refused people, however, can apply again.
In the event of any problem with residence permits, you can contact the police department or governor’s office.
In 2010, there was no significant change with residence permit regulations, and the above arrangements will also be valid for 2011.
Hurriyet Daily News/21.01.2011
