Simple ways to obtain and extend a residence permit in Turkey

One of the common questions about moving to Turkey comes down to how to move to Turkey and stay here longer than the visa regime allows, without breaking the law? There are several ways to solve this issue, each of which we will discuss in detail below.

Purchasing your own real estate in Turkey

It is quite logical that the Turkish authorities are more loyal to those foreigners who own their own real estate on the territory of this state. The key advantage of this solution is that purchasing a home will allow not only the buyer, but also his family to obtain a residence permit, while the process of obtaining a residence permit is greatly simplified. 5 years after the conclusion of the transaction, you can obtain citizenship.

Continuing the topic of citizenship, we note an important point: provided that the cost of the property was $250,000 or more, you can apply for citizenship immediately after receiving TAPU. It is important that the value of the property corresponds exactly to the cadastral equivalent of 250 thousand dollars. Please note that you can buy not one, but several properties with a total value of $250,000 at different times and the legal requirement for obtaining citizenship will still be met.

Long-term property rental

Let’s immediately make a reservation that this option allows you to apply for a residence permit, but not for citizenship. To implement it you need:

1. Conclude an official real estate lease agreement for a period of at least 6 months.
2. Have at least 39,000 liras in your Turkish bank account.

It’s a fairly simple option that won’t be difficult to implement, but it’s unlikely to be suitable if you’re applying for citizenship in the foreseeable future.

Work Visa

Provided that you intend to work in Turkey, you will be issued a work visa and this document confirms the right to reside in this country. A work visa is the basis for obtaining citizenship after 5 years, but it must be issued by the employer.

Studying at a Turkish university

Foreign students who are admitted to study at one of the local universities are entitled to a so-called student residence permit, which upon completion of their studies can be changed to a work visa, and if you are planning to study in Turkey, then this option will be an excellent solution for you.

Marriage with a Turkish citizen

Let us immediately clarify that the state seriously monitors the authenticity of marriages, that is, fictitious unions are monitored and, with a high degree of probability, identified, which entails very specific negative consequences. You can apply for a residence permit immediately after marriage. After this, the foreign citizen and his spouse are required to undergo an interview before obtaining a residence permit. If representatives of the commission suspect that the marriage is fictitious, it will be subjected to thorough verification. If the results reveal a forgery, the residence permit will be cancelled.

How much does it cost to obtain a residence permit in Turkey in 2022?

Registration of a residence permit involves the following costs: [BR] - Administrative fee for issuing an ikamet card - 160 liras.

1. Annual payment - from 326 to 7280 liras. It is possible that the maximum amount will increase due to the large number of immigrants. The specific amount is determined based on which country the person applying for a residence permit comes from.
2. Medical insurance. Its cost is not fixed and can vary from 500 to 1800 liras.
3. Help of a notary and translator, Apostille stamp. All this is necessary for the preparation of documents and their entry into legal force. The maximum spending on this item usually does not exceed 700 liras.

Features of applying for a long-term residence permit in Turkey

To apply for a long-term residence permit in Turkey, contact the Security and Migration Department. Regarding residence permits in 2022, the following rules and requirements apply:

1. The residence permit remains valid provided that you have not left Turkey for a period of more than 12 months without valid reasons. Education or treatment abroad, as well as compulsory public service, are considered valid.
2. A long-term residence permit does not allow you to participate in elections as a voter or candidate, perform compulsory military service in the Turkish Armed Forces, hold government positions and enjoy government benefits when paying customs duties.
3. Certificate of no criminal record, ID passport (Turkish), certificate of no criminal record.

Extension of validity period

The process of renewing a residence permit in Turkey involves the following expenses:

1. Photographer services (4 photos required) - 12 liras.
2. Bank statement about the account balance (no need to pay).
3. Certification of place of residence. There is also no need to pay.
4. Guarantor form (purchased from a notary) - 35 liras.
5. Copy of insurance. To obtain it, you should contact your insurance company; you do not need to pay for a copy.
6. A signed form with a stamp confirming payment of the state fee for receiving an ikomet - 50 liras.

The total cost of renewing a residence permit in Turkey is approximately 1200 Turkish lira. To avoid problems with local authorities, the renewal process should begin no later than 60 days before the expiration of the current residence permit.

To obtain or extend a Turkish residence permit quickly, without problems or refusals, contact us for help. We will provide detailed advice, tell you about the features of the procedure and help you collect the necessary documents for both short-term and long-term residence permits.