Residence permit regulations
Getting a residence permit is a common legal issue for foreigners residing in Turkey. How and where do they get residence permits? What type of residence permit do they need and how long do the permits last? These questions and many like them exist. To answer these questions, I will discuss the topic on several fronts.
Who needs to get a residence permit?
Foreigners holding work, student and tourist visas can reside in Turkey during the 90-day visa exemption period without a residence permit. Extensions for tourist visas may be granted for an additional three months. However, those who wish to stay longer or work in Turkey should obtain a residence permit. In order to apply for a work permit in Turkey, the applicant must first have a residence permit valid for at least six months. The application can be filled out at the Foreigners’ Department (located at police headquarters) in the jurisdiction in which the applicant lives.
What type of residence permits exist and how long do they last?
Residence permits are obtained for different purposes. Long-term residents, tourists, and residents who work are some of the persons who need residence permits. The longest term a resident permit is granted for is five years. However, usually, only two-year residence permits are given upon an initial application. After a residence permit expires, it can be renewed four times. Persons who wish to extend this period must apply again to the security authorities within fifteen days of the permit expiration date. In Turkey, permanent work permits are given, but permanent residence permits are not given.
Changes should be reported!
If foreigners with a residence permit changes their places of residence, they must report this fact within forty-eight hours to the police or gendarmerie stations nearest both the old and the new residences either in person or by registered letter. Foreigners with residence permits must report changes in their marital status by a signed statement to the security authorities in their district within fifteen days of the change. They must also have their new status registered in their residence permits.
Resident Permit Requirements
Foreigners must apply to the local security directorate (emniyet müdürlüğü) with the following documents.
· Five recent passport-sized photos
· A valid passport (with the original passport and photocopies of the last entry stamp and personal details)
· A residence declaration form duly completed
· A valid Turkish visa
· The application fee.
Additional documents may be requested in some cases such as in marriage to a Turkish national, the purchase of property in Turkey or for employment with a private company. In these cases, the application process will be expedited and the initial validity period of the permit will be longer. In practice, the officers require the applicants to submit a bank statement proving the good financial standing of the applicants.
Nationality is important!
The applicant’s nationality is important in the process of obtaining a residence permit. GROUP A country citizens and GROUP B country citizens are subject to different regulations regarding the residence permit process.
GROUP A Countries are EU member countries and OECD member countries (USA, Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Holland, United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, New Zealand, Greece, Ireland, Czech Republic, Hungary, South Korea, Mexico, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Malta and Greek Cyprus). GROUP B Countries are all countries other than GROUP A Countries.
I will continue discussing this issue in my next article.
For your questions: [email protected]
Who needs to get a residence permit?
Foreigners holding work, student and tourist visas can reside in Turkey during the 90-day visa exemption period without a residence permit. Extensions for tourist visas may be granted for an additional three months. However, those who wish to stay longer or work in Turkey should obtain a residence permit. In order to apply for a work permit in Turkey, the applicant must first have a residence permit valid for at least six months. The application can be filled out at the Foreigners’ Department (located at police headquarters) in the jurisdiction in which the applicant lives.
What type of residence permits exist and how long do they last?
Residence permits are obtained for different purposes. Long-term residents, tourists, and residents who work are some of the persons who need residence permits. The longest term a resident permit is granted for is five years. However, usually, only two-year residence permits are given upon an initial application. After a residence permit expires, it can be renewed four times. Persons who wish to extend this period must apply again to the security authorities within fifteen days of the permit expiration date. In Turkey, permanent work permits are given, but permanent residence permits are not given.
Changes should be reported!
If foreigners with a residence permit changes their places of residence, they must report this fact within forty-eight hours to the police or gendarmerie stations nearest both the old and the new residences either in person or by registered letter. Foreigners with residence permits must report changes in their marital status by a signed statement to the security authorities in their district within fifteen days of the change. They must also have their new status registered in their residence permits.
Resident Permit Requirements
Foreigners must apply to the local security directorate (emniyet müdürlüğü) with the following documents.
· Five recent passport-sized photos
· A valid passport (with the original passport and photocopies of the last entry stamp and personal details)
· A residence declaration form duly completed
· A valid Turkish visa
· The application fee.
Additional documents may be requested in some cases such as in marriage to a Turkish national, the purchase of property in Turkey or for employment with a private company. In these cases, the application process will be expedited and the initial validity period of the permit will be longer. In practice, the officers require the applicants to submit a bank statement proving the good financial standing of the applicants.
Nationality is important!
The applicant’s nationality is important in the process of obtaining a residence permit. GROUP A country citizens and GROUP B country citizens are subject to different regulations regarding the residence permit process.
GROUP A Countries are EU member countries and OECD member countries (USA, Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Holland, United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, New Zealand, Greece, Ireland, Czech Republic, Hungary, South Korea, Mexico, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Malta and Greek Cyprus). GROUP B Countries are all countries other than GROUP A Countries.
I will continue discussing this issue in my next article.
For your questions: [email protected]
