Useful information about Residence Permit in Turkey
WHO WANT TO GET A RESIDENCE PERMIT IN TURKEY – 🚨 Please read this before applying.
We have prepared a guiding article for those who are applying for a residence permit in Turkey for the first time or planning to do so. With what we write here, you can learn in advance how to obtain a residence permit in Turkey and what challenges you may face during the application process.
In the article, we also aim to provide quality information to those who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, so you can access useful guidance yourself.
📌 HELPFUL LİNKS WHO WANT TO OBTAİN RESİDENT PERMİT İN TURKEY;
Before starting our article on the residence permit, we would like to share some useful links related to obtaining a residence permit in Turkey:
💻 TURKEY RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION GUIDE – Do you want to apply for a residence permit in Turkey without professional help? Here’s a detailed application guide: https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/residence-permit-application-guide/
❓ HOW TO APPLY? – How to apply for a residence permit? Step-by-step with images: https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/how-to-apply-for-a-residence-permit-turkey/
📚 APPLICATION BOOKLET – The second detailed BaltaşGlobal booklet: https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/how-to-apply-for-a-residence-permit/
💰 COSTS – How much does it cost to apply for a residence permit in Turkey? A detailed explanations: https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/cost-of-obtaining-a-residence-permit-in-turkey-2025/
RENTING A FLAT – An article on renting a apartment in Turkey for foreigners, prepared with expert opinions: https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/how-to-rent-an-apartment-in-turkey/
What Is a Residence Permit in Turkey?
Foreign individuals who intend to stay in Turkey beyond the permitted legal stay must apply for a residence permit through the Migration Administration’s online system (https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/). Under the 180‑day / 90‑day visa‑free rule, those who entered Turkey with a visa exemption must apply for a residence permit before the 90‑day period ends. In other words, if you will stay in Turkey for longer than 90 days, you must obtain a residence permit. A residence permit does not grant work rights, it only allows you to live in Turkey.
How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Turkey?
The process varies depending on the type of permit. Here’s a general outline:
1- Apply online via the e‑ikamet system before overstaying your legal period.
2- Prepare the required documents before submitting your online application. Take appoitment date from the Migration Administration via online application.
3- Attend the appointment at the Migration Administration on the given date and submit your documents in person (İf you work with lawyer you will go with lawyer to migrant office)
4- After assessment, you will receive the result via SMS. If approved, your residence permit card will be sent to you via cargo PTT.
How to apply for a residence permit: https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/residence-permit-application-guide/
Can I Apply Resident Permit in Turkey Without a Lawyer?
You dont have to use a lawyer or consultancy firm to apply. By reviewing the guides linked above, you can undertake the process on your own. However, because the process is detailed and the documents are critical, İf you have financial power or limited time in your work life then we are strongly advised you to hire a lawyer—they can support you at every step and reduce the risk of mistakes or fraud.
How Long Should My Passport Be Valid?
Your passport must have at least 60 days of validity beyond the requested duration of your residence permit. For example, for a 1‑year permit, your passport must be valid for 1 year plus 60 days.
Closed addresses/areas for residence permit applications in Türkiye?
Due to the increase in the number of foreigners in certain regions, the Immigration Administration has decided not to accept residence permit applications from these regions. Residence permit applications cannot be made from these regions. Family residence permits and student residence permits are not subject to this rule.
Before renting a house/flat for a residence permit, attention must be paid to these addresses.
Detailed explanation for closed addresses: https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/closed-addresses-for-foreigners/
Address to be provided for residence permit
We need to provide an address to the Immigration Office in order to obtain a residence permit.
Under this heading, we will try to explain the details of the address you will provide in your residence permit application.
When applying for a residence permit, you must prove where you will be staying in Turkey. There are different options available here. Your address can be a hotel, a rented house, or a friend’s address. Students can also stay in dormitories.
🚨 RENTING A APARTMENT FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT
If you are applying for a residence permit by renting a apartment, you must rent the house in your own name through a notary. The rental contract must be drawn up at the notary with the landlord.
If you are applying for a residence permit by renting a house, there are documents you must request from your landlord before renting the house. This is because the Immigration Office will request these documents from you during the application process. ❗Note: If other foreigners or family members will be living in your home in the future, their names must be included in the rental contract when it is drawn up. This will make the Immigration Office procedures easier for you.
Documents that individuals who rent a home and provide an address must bring with them on the day of their residence permit appointment:
1- Notarized rental contract
2- DASK
3- Copy of the title deed.
🚨 USING ANOTHER PERSON’S ADDRESS (Foreign guest commitment form)
The person whose address you will be using must have an address registration. By address registration, we do not mean that the person must have a residence permit or be a Turkish citizen. By address registration, we mean that the person must be able to obtain a “place of residence certificate” from the e-government. In other words, the person who will give you the commitment letter must have a place of residence certificate from the e-government. No, having a residence permit does not mean that you have a place of residence certificate.
To prove their address, a person with an address registration in Turkey must provide you with a “foreign guest commitment letter” from a notary.
The documents that the person providing the address must bring with them to the Migration Directorate on the appointment date are as follows:
1- Foreign guest commitment letter
2- Residence certificate of the person providing the commitment letter
3- A utility bill (electricity, water, or natural gas) issued in the name of the person providing the guarantee for the past two months. An internet bill is not acceptable.
If students are staying in a dormitory, a document obtained from the dormitory will be sufficient. You can complete the procedures with a dormitory residency certificate obtained from the dormitory administration.
Foreigners renting apartment – Notarized rental contract in Turkey
Renting a house for foreigners is not subject to special conditions. In Turkey, you can rent a house if you are legally within your visa period. You can read our detailed article for information on renting a house; https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/how-to-rent-an-apartment-in-turkey/
If foreign nationals are renting a house for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit, the following points should be noted:
1-THE RENTAL AGREEMENT MUST BE DRAFTED BY A NOTARY
2-INCLUDE ALL FOREIGN NATIONALS OR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WILL BE LIVING WITH YOU IN THE RENTAL AGREEMENT. Listing the individuals or family members who will be living with you in the rental agreement will make future procedures easier for you. When registering a family member at your address, you can easily register your family by presenting the rental agreement.
3- THE ELECTRICITY, WATER, AND NATURAL GAS BILLS FOR THE RENTED PROPERTY MUST STAY OPEN. Once you have applied for a residence permit, you cannot receive any bills in your name until your ID card is approved. This means that after renting a property, the landlord should not expect the foreign national to take over the electricity, water, or natural gas bills for at least two months.
Can I Reapply If My Turkish Resident Permit Application Is Rejected?
If your application is rejected, you cannot apply for the same type of permit within 6 months.
Can I Apply from Abroad?
No, you cannot apply from abroad—you must enter Turkey with your passport and apply inside-country. Even if you grant a power of attorney to a lawyer, the application will be rejected / not accepted if you have not physically entered Turkey.
Can I Travel Abroad After Applying Resident Permit?
If your visa time or legal stay time is still valid, you may exit and return for your appointment.
If your previous permit has expired and you leave, you will be subject to visa rules upon return, and may not be able to re-enter if your residence permit has not been approved.
If My Permit Is Approved but the Card Didn’t Arrive ?
If your permit is approved but the card hasn’t arrived, you can request a document (application receipt) from the Migration Administration or the e‑ikamet system. This replaces the residence permit card and grants entry/exit rights.
Can someone Apply on My Behalf for Resident Permit?
You may use a lawyer, but it is not mandatory. You can manage all steps independently.
If you know the necessary steps, you can apply for a residence permit on your own. You can access the residence permit application guide from the links we have provided above.
How Can I Pay the Permit Fee and Card Fee?
After submitting your online application, your form will include a breakdown of fees. You must pay both the permit fee and the card fee before your appointment, either via Interactive Tax Office (online) or in-person at the tax office.
How is the residence permit fee paid? https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/how-is-the-residence-permit-fee-paid/
How Long Does It Take to Process? -Resident Permit in Turkey
Residence permit applications are usually finalized within one month. In some cases, the time may be shorter or longer. It depends on the workload of the Immigration Office.
Lawyer Cihat BALTAŞ
Lawyer Cihat BALTAŞ graduated from Police College in 2006, Police Academy in 2010, Yalova Law Faculty in 2016 with a degree and has worked and specialised in foreign law throughout his professional life. Cihat BALTAŞ, who is currently working as a lawyer in Kadıköy, Istanbul, is the founder of BaltaşGlobal law and consultancy office.