Family Residence Permit in Turkey 2026
Under Turkish law, a family residence permit can only be issued if there is a person who meets certain legal requirements. In legal terminology, this person is called the sponsor. Only the sponsor’s legally recognized family members — namely their spouse and children — are eligible to stay in Turkey through a family residence permit.
In this article, we will explain in detail the requirements for obtaining a family residence permit in Turkey, who can act as a sponsor, and how the application process works.
Who Can be Guarantor For Family Residence Permit?
Who Can Request a Residence Permit for Their Spouse and Children in Turkey?
In order to obtain a family residence permit in Turkey, there must be a supporter who already has the legal right to stay within Turkish borders. The family residence permit is granted to the family members (spouse and children) based on the supporter’s legal status.
Who Can Be a Supporter for a Family Residence Permit?
1- Turkish citizens
2- Foreigners holding any type of residence permit or work permit
Important note: If the supporter holds a tourist residence permit, they must have stayed in Turkey for at least 1 year before they can act as a supporter.
3- Individuals listed under Article 28 of Law No. 5901 (those who have voluntarily renounced Turkish citizenship) – in short, Blue Card holders
4- Beneficiaries of international protection statuses (refugees, conditional refugees, subsidiary protection holders) as well as those 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)
Note: You cannot apply for a family residence permit for your mother or father. Family residence permit covers only spouse and children.
Exceptional cases in terms of family residence permit
Family Residence Permit for Persons Over 18 Years of Age
Children holding a family residence permit may continue their education in Turkey until the age of 18 without needing to obtain a student residence permit. Those who have held a family residence permit for at least three years and have reached the age of 18 may, upon request, convert their permit into a short-term residence permit.
For residence permit applications submitted on behalf of children, consent must be obtained from any parent who holds custody rights in another country.
Divorce
A foreign national who has resided in Turkey for at least three years under a family residence permit may apply to convert their permit into a short-term residence permit following a divorce. However, if the foreign spouse was divorced as a result of being a victim of domestic violence, the three-year residency requirement is waived.
Death of the Sponsor
In the event of the sponsor’s death, family members who held a residence permit dependent on the deceased sponsor are granted the right to transition to a short-term residence permit without any minimum residency requirement.
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact us from the contact section. Your questions are answered confidentially and quickly.
How We Assist You Throughout the Family Residence Permit Process
Applying for a family residence permit in Turkey can be a complex process involving legal requirements, documentation, and appointments with the immigration authorities. Our goal is to make the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.
Our Services Include:
✅ Preparing and submitting your residence permit application on your behalf
✅ Reviewing and organizing all required documents before submission
✅ Scheduling and managing your appointment with the Directorate of Migration Management
✅ Accompanying you to the immigration appointment when required
✅ Monitoring and following up on your application until a decision is issued
✅ Providing legal support and guidance at every stage of the process
From the initial consultation to the delivery of your residence permit card, a qualified attorney will be by your side to ensure that your application is handled correctly and efficiently.
We do not simply provide information—we actively manage and follow your case, keeping you informed throughout the entire process.
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: 28.075,50-TL )
Example: The guarantor must not have a total income of less than 28.075,50-TL in any case. However, for a family consisting of parents and two children, there must be a minimum income of 1/3 MİNUMUM WAGE*4 =37.350,00 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.
The important point here is that if the sponsor is not registered in the address registration system, then the sponsor must register in the address registration system and obtain a “certificate of residence”. Only after the sponsor obtains a settlement certificate and an invoice in his/her name, the procedures can be continued. If the sponsor is not registered in the address registration system, then there will be missing documents during your Family Residence Permit application and your application will not be completed.
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- Two (2) 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/
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