Family Residence Permit
In order to be able to issue a family residence permit in Turkey , the presence of a person who meets certain conditions is required. This person is called guarantor in legal language. In case of the presence of this guarantor, the relatives of the guarantor, who are listed in the law (wife/husband and children), have the opportunity to stay in Turkey by obtaining a family residence permit. Guarantor and the guarantors relatives will be detailed below.
We will try to explain you how to apply for a family residence permit in Turkey?
Who Can be Guarantor For Family Residence Permit?
In order to obtain a family residence permit in Turkey, there must be a guarantor who has the legal right (residental permit,citizenship..) to stay within the borders of Turkey. Family residence permits are the permissions given to the relatives of the guarantor based on the legal period of this guarantor.
Who Can be Guarantor for Family Residence Permit?
1- Turkish Citizens
2- Foreign person holding any residence permit or work permit
3- Blue card holders
4- Persons benefiting from status under international protection, Refugees, persons under temporary protection
Who can get a Family Residence Permit?
1- To the foreign spouse (wife or husband) of the person who is a Turkish citizen or staying in Turkey with resident permit or work permit
2- To the child of the person who is a Turkish citizen, who is a foreigner
3- The minor child of the foreign spouse of a Turkish citizen
4- To the dependent foreign child of himself or his spouse (dependency may express more economic dependency or physical disability)
Exceptional cases in terms of family residence permit
There are some sensitive points that should be known about family residence permit. These points are frequently encountered in practice.
How to get a residence permit if there is more than one spouse (wife/husband) in the family residence permit?
– Only one wife can be allowed.
Example: Suppose a foreign person has a residence permit in Turkey. This foreign person has the right to obtain a family residence permit. However, if this foreign person has more than one spouse(wife/husband), then a residence permit can only be issued for one spouse. However, a residence permit can be issued for all children of the foreigner’s spouse.
Family residence permit for persons over 18 years of age
A child with a family residence permit can continue their education until the age of 18 without obtaining a student residence permit. Those who have completed the age of eighteen among those who have stayed in Turkey with a family residence permit for at least three years can convert this permit into a short-term residence permit upon request.
In the residence permit requests of children, if there are parents who have custody in other countries, the permission of those persons must be obtained.
Divorce : Family residence permit status in case of divorce; If the Turkish citizen has lived in Turkey for at least 3 years by adhering to the family residence permit, the foreigner who divorced after the divorce can apply for a short-term residence permit. If the foreign spouse, who is a victim of domestic violence, is divorced for this reason, the 3-year requirement is not sought in the transition to a short-term residence permit.
Dead : In the event of the sporter’s death, persons using the family residence permit, depending on the sporter are granted the right to switch to a short-term residence permit without the requirement of time.
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact us from the contact section. Your questions are answered confidentially and quickly.
Family Residence Permit Conditions
Article 35 of the LAW ON FOREIGNERS AND INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION lists the conditions for a family residence permit.
In order to apply for a family residence permit, a guarantor is needed first.
Who is the guarantor?
1- Person who is a Turkish citizen
2- Refugees, persons under temporary protection(Geçici koruma)
3- Foreigner with any residence permit or work permit in Turkey.
4- It refers to people who have voluntarily quit their Turkish citizenship.
Persons who want to obtain a family residence permit can apply for a family residence permit by using these guarantors.
A-Requirements for the guarantor
1-Family residence permit proof of financial income
The total income of the guarantor, who will be granted a Family Residence Permit, must not be less than the minimum wage of Turkiye in any case and must have an income of at least 1/3 of the minimum wage for each member of the family. (Minimum: 22.105,00-TL – 3′ of the minimum wage 1 of them : 7.370,00-TL )
Example: The guarantor must not have a total income of less than 22.105,00-TL in any case. However, for a family consisting of parents and two children, there must be a minimum income of 7.370,00*4 =29.473,00 TL.
Note: It should not be forgotten that the numbers mentioned here are at least the desired numbers. When applying for a residence permit, a foreigner must convince the state from which he/she wants a residence permit that he/she does not have any economic problems while staying in Turkey. From this point of view, showing that you do not have any problems in terms of economic situation and that your income is high is a situation that will be in your favor in the residence application.
How is Proof of Income Level Made?
Individuals must have income according to the above-mentioned conditions. The wording in the article of the law is that the person must have an adequate and regular income.
Salary: The fact that a person works in a place with a salary and has a regular income has an important place in the proof of income. The person can prove their income level by submitting the pay-slip to the immigration administration (göç idaresi).
Money in the bank: If the person has money in the bank, he can prove his income by submitting the bank account statement to the immigration administration.
Real Estate: İf the person has an income-generating immovable, real estate is accepted in the income from it.
2-Place to stay (Adress)
The guarantor must live in a household suitable for the family population. No limit has been determined by the provincial immigration administration or the law for this eligibility. However, since a family of 10 people living in a 3-room house will contradict the general health and community rules, the application is likely to be rejected.
When choosing an address, it is not necessary to pay attention to closed addresses. If the support person lives at a closed address, the spouse of the support person can also live there.
3-Health Insurance
To have health insurance that covers all family members. The guarantor’s health insurance should not be personal. The guarantor must have health insurance to cover their entire family
It is not very difficult to get health insurance in Turkey. People can easily get health insurance by going to any insurance agency.
If the person is working with a work permit in Turkey, he/she will have insurance from the SGK in any case. In this case, people with a work permit can go to the SGK institution and get their insurance documents from there and put them in the file. The scope of your insurance will most likely cover your spouse and children. You can ask your situation from the general directorates of SGK.
4-Criminal Record Certificate
Not to have been convicted of crimes against family order in the previous 5 years from the date of application. This situation must be documented with a criminal record certificate.
Example: Those who have been sentenced for crimes such as domestic violence, violence against women and whose punishment has been finalized cannot be a guarantor for this type of residence permit.
5-Address Registration (Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi)
The guarantor must be registered in the address registration system in Turkey. This document can be obtained from E-Devlet by typing “Yerleşim Yeri Belgesi” in the search button.
How to register a foreign person in the address registration system? -İf you want to read detailed article please click.
In this case, article 26 of the Foreigners Law and article 22/12 of the YUKK implementation regulation should be taken into account.
Persons who have obtained a residence permit or residence permit from abroad must apply to the immigration office and register in the address registration system within 20 days at the latest from their entry into Turkey.
In addition, people who have obtained a residence permit in Turkey must register with the address registration system within 20 days at the latest after their residence applications are positive and they receive their residence documents. To register in the address registration system, it is necessary to apply to the Immigration Office.
B-Requirements for Applicants
Conditions for family members who want to obtain a residence permit to stay with the guarantor:
1-Being a member of the family
Depending on the guarantor, the person who will receive a residence permit must prove that he is a family member. However, family members can benefit from a family residence permit.
Who are the family members?
“The foreigner’s spouse(wife or husband) , the foreigner’s own or his/her spouse(wife or husband)’s minor foreign child, the foreigner’s own or his/her spouse(wife or husband)’s dependent foreign child”
How can people prove that they are family members in the Family Residence Permit?
1) Marriage Certificate; Spouse of the guarantor can prove their marriage with the marriage certificate.
How can other family members (minor and dependent adult) demonstrate their ties to the guarantor(supporter)?
2) If the parents can be identified in the passport or identity cards, these documents are sufficient, otherwise the child’s birth certificate is required.
3) Approved custody: This document is required if the spouse who will benefit from the family residence permit needs a document related to custody for their child. The spouse who will benefit from the family residence permit will need this document in case of divorce from the ex-spouse.
Example: If the families are divorced, the spouse who wants to obtain family residence for the child must prove that he/she has the custody of the child. Approved custody certificate is required. In addition, in case of divorce, if another parent has custody of the child, consent must be obtained from that parent.
4) Death Certificate: In case of the death of the mother or father, the death certificate is required for the child of the spouse who will benefit from the family residence permit
Family Residence Permit Required Documents
Two separate groups of documents are required for family residence permit;
1-Required Documents for the Applicant
2-Required Documents for the Guarantor
Documents for the Applicant:
1- Residence Permit Application Form
2- Photocopy of passport or passport substitute document
3- Two (2) biometric photographs
4- Receipts showing that the residence fee and card fee have been paid
5- Marriage certificate or a photocopy of a document proving that you are married. If the applicant is a child, a document showing the parents of the child. If he/she is married to a Turkish citizen, ‘a copy of the birth certificate’.
6- ‘Certificate of residence’ for those who will make extension and transition applications
7- UETS address for extension or transfer applications.
Required Documents in terms of Supporting:
1- Original Identity Card / Identity Card, photocopy of passport or passport substitute document
2- Certified document showing that you have sufficient and regular financial means for the duration of your stay. A declaration is sufficient for Turkish citizens.
3- Valid health insurance covering all family members.
4- Criminal record
5- Certificate of Settlement + current invoice in the name of the sponsor
6- Document showing the place to stay
7- 1 biometric photograph
The necessary documents for family residence permit, detail for you, you can read our relevant article; Family Residence Permit Required Documents.
Residence Permit Application Guide in Turkey : https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/residence-permit-application-guide/
Frequently Asked Questions
