Short-Term Residence Permit in Türkiye: Requirements, Documents and Application Guide

What is a short-term residence permit and what right does it provide?

A foreigner who wishes to stay in Türkiye longer than the period allowed by a visa or visa exemption, or longer than 90 days, must, unless covered by an exemption, hold a residence permit suited to the foreigner’s situation. It should not be assumed that every foreigner can stay 90 days with a visa; depending on the passport, nationality and entry conditions, a shorter period may apply. The short-term residence permit is regulated in Articles 31–33 of the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection (YUKK). [1]

The “oturum izni” used in everyday language and the “ikamet izni” (residence permit) in this context describe the same procedure. A residence certificate (ikametgâh) or a place-of-residence document is different: it shows a person’s registered address; it does not replace the card that allows a foreigner to stay lawfully in Türkiye. Both a document proving lawful stay and, at the relevant stage, an address document may be needed in the application file. [1] [3]

Does a residence permit give the right to work?

A short-term residence permit does not by itself give the right to work. A suitable work permit or work-permit exemption is separately required. Establishing a company, becoming a company shareholder, finding customers in Türkiye or holding a residence card for tourism purposes does not automatically remove this requirement. The purpose of residence and the activity actually carried on must be consistent. [3] [17]

Why are a visa, a residence permit and citizenship assessed separately?

A visa provides entry to the country and a certain framework of stay; a residence permit regulates a longer stay for a stated purpose. Holding a residence card does not mean that a right to citizenship has arisen. In particular, a short-term permit based on a residence and citizenship by investment are not the same procedure. It cannot be accepted that a person who meets the conditions of one application automatically meets those of the other. [1] [24]

Who can apply for a short-term residence permit?

The grounds in YUKK Art. 31 differ from one another. The table below can be used to determine on which purpose of stay the application will be based. The full list of documents and the permit duration should be examined separately according to the ground chosen. [1] [3] [8]

For how many years is the permit granted?

The general upper limit is two years each time. Under Art. 31/1-j, concerning those who make an investment of the scope and amount determined by the President, and Art. 31/1-k, concerning TRNC citizens, a permit of up to five years each may be granted. The passport, insurance, purpose of stay, the duration of the programme and the assessment of the file may require a shorter permit. [1]

On the ground of a Turkish language course, a permit may be granted at most twice. The permit granted under Art. 31/1-i on the ground of graduation is a one-time permit of at most one year; the additional one-year route announced in 2026 is explained separately below. For education, research, internships and courses through public institutions, the relevant regulation provides for a permit tied to the duration of the programme and not exceeding one year. [1] [2] [16]

What are the basic requirements of a short-term residence permit?

A genuine purpose of stay and consistent documents

The applicant must rely on one or more of the grounds in Art. 31 and explain them with documents. Writing tourism on the form while actually working continuously, showing an address that cannot be used, or letting the residence to someone else while stating that one lives there creates a contradiction between the application and the actual situation. The purpose of stay is not just the option on the form; the contract, income, accommodation and activity documents are assessed together. [1] [3]

No obstacle to entry into Türkiye

The condition sought by YUKK Art. 32 is that the foreigner does not fall within the scope of Article 7 of the Law. Deficiencies concerning the passport or visa, forged documents and the other entry bars stated in the law are examined in the specific case. In addition, a valid deportation decision or entry ban to Türkiye may be a ground for refusal, cancellation or non-extension in respect of the short-term permit. [1]

Passport validity, accommodation and criminal record

The passport or the travel document replacing it must be valid for at least 60 days longer than the requested period of residence. For this reason, a passport valid for only one year is not sufficient for a request for a one-year permit. The applicant must provide accommodation that meets health and safety standards and declare the address at which the applicant will stay in Türkiye. If the administration so requests, a criminal record certificate issued by the country of citizenship or lawful residence must also be submitted. [1] [9]

How is health coverage documented?

The health coverage requirement may be met by suitable private health insurance covering the requested period, or by an accepted SGK (Social Security Institution) provision document, a general health insurance application document, or a document under a bilateral social security agreement. Not every foreigner necessarily has to buy a new private policy; what matters is that the coverage held is shown by an accepted document. [3]

Exceptions based on age and treatment

Official document explanations state that the health insurance requirement is not sought for persons under 18 and over 65, and that the document of any existing insurance is submitted. There are also special rules for those who document that they pay all treatment costs and for certain treatment/companion situations within the public scope. These are not an insurance exemption extending to all applications. [8] [25]

Short-term residence permit for tourism purposes

Tourism is one of the grounds for the short-term permit. The expiry of the visa period, signing a lease or having money in a bank does not by itself secure acceptance of a tourism permit. The purpose of the trip, the places where the person will stay in Türkiye, the length of stay, accommodation and means of subsistence should be explained together. The administration may request additional information or documents. [3] [8]

The income requirement for a tourism application in 2026

The current e-İkamet document list seeks, for an individual tourism application, income of at least one and a half times the net minimum wage valid on the date of application. For an application together with family members, income at the level of at least one net minimum wage is declared for each person. As to regularity of income, documents showing that the sufficient amount was received during at least the last three months are requested. This criterion relates to the tourism item in the list; it should not be applied as a common income calculation for all types of residence. [3] [4]

Because the 2026 net minimum wage is TL 28,075.50, examples calculated on this amount are as follows. These are the arithmetic equivalents of the coefficients in the official list; the wage at the time of application and the document conditions are the basis. [12]

Which income documents can be used?

Retirement documents, bank account movements for the last three months, a salary or company letter, deposit returns, and the title deed and lease agreement underlying rental income are examples in the current list. A one-off money transfer does not by itself satisfy the regular income requirement without explaining the source and continuity of the money. The name, period, amount and currency in the documents must be consistent with the statement on the form. [3]

The effect of a family tie on a tourism application

The current list, for tourism applications based on a family tie, includes the lawful stay document of a mother, father, spouse or child who holds a residence/work permit or a work-permit exemption in Türkiye, together with documents showing the family tie. This route is not the same as a family residence permit. Which type of permit is suitable should be determined according to the conditions of the supporter and the family members. [1] [3]

Can a short-term residence permit be obtained by buying a residence?

For a permit to be obtained on the ground of property ownership, the property must be of a residential nature and must be used by the foreigner as a residence. Land, a shop, a warehouse or another property acquired purely for investment does not replace the residence condition of this item. The ownership of the residence and its actual use must be examined together. [1] [3]

How is the USD 200,000 criterion applied?

The official e-İkamet list and application form checked on 28 October 2026 provide that the value of the residence at the date of acquisition must be at least the Turkish lira equivalent of USD 200,000. YUKK Art. 31/6 gives the Ministry the authority to determine the nature and value of the property forming the basis of a short-term permit. Meeting this amount does not give an automatic right of residence without the other conditions being examined. [1] [3] [4]

Residences acquired on earlier dates

Properties acquired in earlier periods and the extension of existing permits should be assessed taking into account the date of acquisition and the application history. It cannot be concluded from the amount in the current form that all past files are subject to the same transitional regime. A “definitively acquired right” or “definite refusal” assessment should not be made without seeing the earlier permit decision, the title deed acquisition date and the applicable administrative regulation together.

Which documents are needed besides the title deed?

The current list provides for a numbering document (numarataj belgesi) obtained from the municipality in the first application; a title deed continuation document (tapu devam belgesi) for an extension; and a current property valuation report for a residence acquired by inheritance or gift. The residence must not be used for rental or similar income-generating purposes. Before purchase, the suitability of the address for the application should also be checked; the existence of a title deed does not by itself remove address restrictions. [3] [14]

Can a spouse and children apply on the same title deed?

If family members have a co-ownership or joint ownership right in the residence, their applications may be assessed on this ground; the family tie must also be documented. A title deed being in the name of only one family member does not mean that everyone else will automatically obtain a permit under the property item. For the other family members, a family residence permit or another ground suited to their conditions should be examined separately. [3] [9]

Graduation, transition from a family permit and other special situations

Those who complete higher education in Türkiye

A foreigner who completes higher education in Türkiye may obtain, if applying within six months of graduation, a one-time short-term residence permit of at most one year under Art. 31/1-i. A diploma, a provisional graduation certificate or an accepted e-Devlet document must be submitted. The six-month application condition does not mean that there is an automatic right of lawful stay for six months after graduation. The relationship of the student permit to graduation and the time limit for switching to a new purpose must also be checked. [1] [2] [3]

Additional one-year permit announced in 2026

According to official university announcements explaining the practice communicated by YÖK (Council of Higher Education) to universities, international graduates who have received a one-year short-term permit under Art. 31/1-i may, if they reapply while their permit is valid or within 90 days of its expiry and meet the other conditions in Art. 32, obtain an additional one-year permit under Art. 31/1-g. The one-time graduation permit in Art. 31/4 and the legal basis of the new application are therefore separate. [16] [23]

This special 90-day application opportunity is not the general extension period applied to all permits. It should not be assumed that it grants an automatic right of lawful stay or work after the permit ends. Graduation, the expiry date of the current card and the person’s status in Türkiye should be examined together.

Transition from a family residence permit to a short-term permit

The law regulates three important situations: those who have stayed in Türkiye on a family permit for at least three years and reach the age of 18; foreigners who divorce a Turkish citizen spouse and have stayed on a family permit for at least three years; and family permit holders whose supporter has died. If victimization through domestic violence in a divorce is established by a court decision, the three-year condition is not sought. In the case of the supporter’s death there is likewise no duration condition. These conditions must be assessed not by the length of the marriage alone but by the criterion of stay on a family permit stated in the law. [1]

Those receiving medical treatment and their companions

For an application for treatment, an accepted report or document from a health institution showing the illness and the duration of treatment is required. The condition that the applicant does not carry one of the diseases regarded as a threat to public health is also assessed. There may be an exception to the insurance requirement for those who show that all treatment costs are paid. [3] [8]

It cannot be said across the board that companions “cannot obtain a permit.” A suitable ground for residence and the conditions of a family permit are examined separately. In addition, official explanations contain a private insurance exception for at most two companions of foreigners within the scope of Additional Article 14 of the Basic Law on Health Services No. 3359; this narrow regulation cannot be broadened into an automatic exemption for all relatives of patients. [8] [25]

Stay by decision of a judicial or administrative authority

Art. 31/1-g concerns those who must stay in Türkiye depending on a request or decision of a judicial or administrative authority. A document of the relevant authority showing the need for and duration of stay is required. The mere fact that a lawsuit has been filed does not automatically give rise to this permit. The humanitarian residence under YUKK Art. 46 is a separate type of permit with its own conditions. [1] [3]

Turkish course, business connection and investment applications

For a Turkish course, registration with an authorized institution and a suitable visa condition should be investigated. The situation of a student who is enrolled at a university and directed by the university to preparatory Turkish education is not the same as that of a person who comes directly for a language course. In a business connection or business establishment application, the company documents explaining the genuine activity and the suitable visa condition are examined; a residence permit does not replace work authorization. [3] [9]

The investor item covers a foreigner who does not work in Türkiye and will make an investment of the scope and amount determined by the President, and the foreign spouse, and the minor or dependent foreign child of the investor and of the spouse. It does not apply automatically to the acquisition of any company share or real estate. The scope and amount of the investment, the certificate of conformity, the criminal record and the ties of the applying family members are assessed separately. [1] [3]

What documents are required for the application?

Documents should be prepared according to the first application, extension, transition and the ground for stay. The framework below is based on the current short-term document list. The list in the application form issued to the person and the administration’s notice of specific additional documents must be followed separately. [3] [4] [5] [6]

How is the accommodation document chosen?

A person staying in their own home submits a photocopy of the title deed and the numbering document; a tenant submits a notarized lease agreement that also contains the landlord’s details. For a stay in a hotel, an accommodation document and a receipt showing that the requested period has been paid; for a stay in a dormitory, the institution’s accepted signed or electronically signed document is required. [3]

For a foreigner staying with a third person, a notarized undertaking by the host is requested; if this person is married, the spouse’s undertaking is also requested. A current electricity, water, natural gas or fixed-telephone bill in the name of the person giving the undertaking, or a new subscription contract, is also added to the file. In extensions and transitions, the current address record and the necessary bill/subscription document are also sought. [3] [5] [6]

Documents brought from abroad

The authority of which country issued the document, the applicable treaty, the apostille or other chain of certification, and the requirement of a Turkish translation should be examined together. For foreign official documents to which an apostille can be applied, an apostille and a notarized Turkish translation; in other cases, certifications by the relevant consulate/embassy and the competent authority may come into question. It must not be assumed that the same procedure is sufficient for every document and country. [3]

The names and dates in birth, marriage, death or criminal record documents should be compared with the passport. If there is a spelling or surname difference, an official document explaining it should be in the file. Instead of starting to collect documents close to the application, the time needed to obtain and certify them from abroad should be planned in advance.

Additional documents for children

A separate application and permit document is issued in the name of each foreign child. Depending on the situation, a birth certificate, a custody decision, the consent of the other parent, a record of death or absence, and a document showing single parenthood may be required. For divorced parents, it is not enough to look only at whom the child lives with; custody, joint custody and the rights of the other parent must be assessed. [3] [7]

How is the application made?

1. Determine the lawful stay period and the right type of application

The first application should be started before the visa or visa exemption ends. An extension is a continuation of the current permit; a transition is a move to a new purpose of stay or type of permit. If the basis of the permit has ended, an end date in the future on the card is not enough on its own. Under the Regulation, as a rule, there is a ten-day application period from the end of the ground for a transition to a new purpose; special situations are assessed separately. [1] [2]

It should not be assumed that filling in an online form while abroad satisfies the conditions for an application inside Türkiye. Although the law also regulates an application at a consulate, the current application inside Türkiye is carried out through e-İkamet and the competent directorate of the province where residence is sought. [7] [9]

2. Complete the e-İkamet record with correct information

The appropriate procedure is selected on the official site e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. The form is created after checking passport, identity, address, telephone, e-mail, insurance and ground-for-stay information. The form, application number and appointment details should be kept. Creating the application and appointment is free; public fees and other document expenses are separate. [7] [9]

3. Submit the documents and follow the instruction on attending in person

The file is completed according to the appointment and submission instruction. Failing to attend the appointment without a valid excuse may result in the application not being processed. Representation by a lawyer is possible; however, this does not remove the obligation of personal attendance or biometric procedure requested by the administration. A general rule that the same fingerprint process will apply in all extensions should not be drawn. [3] [7] [9]

Submitting the file via a notary

The notary channel is an optional alternative. According to current explanations, a notary may receive the file for its own province before the appointment date and forward it to the relevant directorate. A notary fee may also arise. The authority to grant or refuse the permit does not pass to the notary; the substantive assessment is made by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. Submitting the file to a notary does not itself complete the other procedures requested by the administration. [9] [13]

4. Follow up missing documents and the assessment process

The general period for concluding the application within at most 90 days starts from the date on which the information and documents are completely given to the competent authority. The date on which the online form was saved is not the starting point in every case. The notice of deficiency, the time given for completion and proof of submission should be kept. The Regulation contains a 30-day period from notification for completing missing information and documents; this period must not be confused with the period for making a decision. [2] [9]

Telephone, e-mail and UETS (National Electronic Notification System) notifications should be monitored regularly. UETS is not an ordinary communication address, but a system with consequences relating to service of notification. In extension and transition files, a UETS address document is sought in the current list for persons who have reached 18. [3] [15]

5. After approval, check the card and the address obligation

If the decision is positive, the identity details, type of permit and start/end dates on the card should be checked. Current application explanations provide for address registration within 20 business days after the first permit approval. Address changes during the permit must also be notified within 20 business days. A calendar day is not the same as a business day. [3] [9]

Extension application, travel and change of address

When is an extension made?

An extension application is made from 60 days before the expiry of the permit period and, in every case, before the permit ends. This period is not a right of application after the card has expired. Whether the conditions for the permit continue is reassessed; a previous acceptance does not guarantee acceptance of the new period. [1]

Insurance covering the new period, current income and address documents, the UETS record and evidence specific to the ground for stay should be checked. In the residence ground, additional papers such as the title deed continuation document come into play. A document submitted in an extension application in accordance with the conditions in the law gives the possibility of residing in Türkiye until a decision is made even if the permit period ends; an unsaved draft or an appointment screen alone should not be regarded as the same legal document. [1] [5]

Can one leave the country before the application is concluded?

The appointment printout and the Residence Permit Application Certificate (İkamet İzni Müracaat Belgesi) are different. With an application certificate approved by the administration and the records showing that the fee has been paid, exit can be made by meeting the conditions of a valid travel document and other relevant requirements. This practice can benefit from the visa exemption provided that the person stays within the requested permit period and returns within 15 days after each exit. The case of an exemption from the fee should be documented separately. [2] [9]

For returns after more than fifteen days, the general visa provisions apply. This rule does not mean that every stay abroad is limited to 15 days or that residence is automatically cancelled on the 16th day. Before travel, the approval of the document, the requested permit range and the entry conditions should be checked together.

Does staying abroad for 120 days automatically cancel the permit?

The old 120-day rule should not be carried over as an automatic ground for refusal or cancellation for current short-term permits. YUKK Art. 33/1-c was repealed by Law No. 6735. The official statement of the Migration Management states that the limit on the period of stay abroad for the short-term residence permit was removed by the 13 August 2016 amendment; the historical assessment of earlier violations is separate. [1] [17] [18]

This statement does not remove the use of the permit in line with its purpose or the address obligations. In addition, the calculation of interruptions in residence in YUKK Art. 28 is a different matter: apart from statutory exceptions, being outside for a total of more than six months in a year or more than one year in the last five years may affect whether earlier residence periods are counted in certain applications. This calculation should not be merged with the repealed automatic 120-day cancellation approach. [1]

Moving to another province and closed neighbourhoods

YİMER (Foreigners Communication Center) explains that a foreigner who moves to another province should, to notify the change, make a first application through e-İkamet in the new province within 20 business days. For this reason, in a change of province, one should not be content with updating the e-Devlet address alone. The permit record and the procedure in the new province must be assessed together. [9]

In some neighbourhoods there are restrictions on new registration of foreigners and residence applications. It is not appropriate to use an old neighbourhood list as a definitive result for all addresses in 2026. Before buying a residence or entering into a long-term lease obligation, the specific address, the type of application and any exception should be checked through the current practice of the competent provincial directorate. [14]

Residence permit fee in 2026 and other costs

The 2026 residence permit document/card fee is TL 964. This amount is not the total cost of the application. The residence fee may vary according to nationality, the requested duration, and reciprocity and exemption rules. Being exempt from the fee does not mean being exempt from the card fee. [10] [11]

The exact amount payable should be checked on the applicant’s own file. The fee and card fee should be paid before the appointment, and receipts should be kept together with the application number. No “appointment purchase” fee needs to be paid to a third person for an official e-İkamet appointment. [3] [9] [10]

What should be done in case of refusal, cancellation or non-extension?

On what grounds may a negative decision be made?

Under YUKK Art. 33, failure to meet the basic conditions or their later ceasing to exist, the determination that the permit has been used outside its purpose, and the existence of a valid deportation or entry-ban decision may lead to a negative decision. An incomplete income statement, an unverifiable purpose of stay or an address contradiction may matter in the assessment; it should not be assumed that every deficiency will have the same consequence. [1]

The administration should also take into account matters such as family ties in Türkiye, the length of residence, the situation in the country of origin and the best interests of the child. A refusal letter should not be read from its result alone; the reasoning, the legal basis, the date of service and the stated obligations should be examined together. [1]

A new application or a lawsuit?

The regulation under which a new residence ground must be presented in a new application within six months after a refusal or cancellation should be taken into account. Re-submitting the same file on the same ground is not a solution in every case. The new ground must be genuine and capable of being documented; being able to make a new application should also not be considered independently of the current lawful stay situation. [2]

If the decision is regarded as unlawful, after checking service and special provisions, filing an annulment action before the administrative court within 60 days as a rule should be considered. The effect on the time limit for filing suit of a proper administrative application made in time under Art. 11 of the Administrative Procedure Law (İYUK) should be calculated separately. It should not be accepted that every e-mail, request for information or new appointment record suspends the time limit for filing suit. [19]

Does filing a lawsuit extend the period of stay in Türkiye?

Filing an annulment action, or asking in the petition for a stay of execution, does not automatically stop the execution of the act. For the court to be able to decide to stay execution, it must jointly assess the conditions of clear unlawfulness and damage that would be difficult or impossible to compensate if the act were implemented. The scope of any decision made must also be read separately. [19]

After a refusal, the obligation to leave the country and the time given in the notification are examined according to the current visa/permit status and the relevant regulation. The Regulation provides for a document allowing a stay in Türkiye of up to ten days where a permit that has expired is not extended or the request is refused. Confusing this period with the time limit for filing suit, or treating it as a guarantee of stay until the end of the lawsuit, can lead to serious loss of rights. [2]

The time limits for a residence lawsuit and a deportation lawsuit are different

If a deportation decision has been issued separately, the special seven-day time limit for filing suit in YUKK Art. 53 and the separate protective provisions for this lawsuit should be examined. The general 60-day period in the residence refusal lawsuit cannot be transferred to the deportation decision. Bringing a lawsuit against one act does not mean that the other decision has automatically been challenged as well. [1] [19]

According to YUKK Art. 53/3, subject to the person’s consent, when recourse to the courts is made within the time limit for filing suit and in time, the deportation measure is not carried out until the proceedings conclude. The person applying to the court also notifies the authority that issued the decision of the application. This special protection is not a general right of stay or work applicable to every lawsuit filed against a residence refusal. [1]

Special procedure in short-term residence lawsuits

YUKK Art. 31/7, added by Law No. 7533, regulates that, in lawsuits filed against decisions refusing a short-term residence application or cancelling the permit, the file is deemed complete upon the submission of the defense or the lapse of the defense period. Holding a hearing is at the court’s discretion. Where service cannot be made at the address shown by the claimant, the period in İYUK Art. 26/3 is applied in this context as two months. [1] [19] [26]

The two months here are not a new time limit for filing suit. It is a special provision connected with service and with striking the file from the docket. The expressions “refusal of the application” and “cancellation of the permit” used by the law should be taken as the basis; the procedural nature of a specific non-extension act should also be assessed separately in the file. For this reason, it is important to keep the service address, UETS and representative details up to date.

What points do court decisions draw attention to?

Long-term residence and real estate do not by themselves create a right to extension

In the Constitutional Court (AYM), Hans Jürgen Peter Louven, Application No: 2020/21147, 24 October 2024 decision, the refusal of the short-term permit request for tourism purposes of an applicant who had lived in Türkiye for many years was examined in terms of family life and other claims. The Court, assessing the specific family circumstances and the administration’s reasons together, held that the right to respect for family life had not been violated. Not being able to benefit personally from the property was also not regarded as the same as losing all powers of disposition as an owner. [20]

The practical conclusion that can be drawn from the decision is to document the person’s family ties, current life, concrete effects and objections to the administration’s reasoning, rather than just saying “I have a home and past residence in Türkiye.” The decision does not show that every refusal act is lawful or that the administration has unlimited discretion.

A deportation decision requires concrete and effective review

The AYM, A.A.S.S., Application No: 2021/2075, 4 November 2025 decision concerns a deportation decision taken about a person holding a valid short-term permit. The Court found deficiencies regarding the possibility of an effective objection to the grounds of the security assessment and adequate judicial review, and held that the right to an effective remedy connected with freedom of residence had been violated. [21]

This decision is not directly a decision on refusal of a short-term application. It should be noted that no violation was found in the claims on the right to life and ill-treatment, and that the claim on family life was declared inadmissible. A retrial decision cannot be read as automatically giving the applicant a right of residence or work.

A restriction act and a notice to leave the country should be examined separately

In the Council of State (Danıştay) 10th Chamber, E.2023/3217, K.2023/3370, 8 June 2023 decision, it was held that there is a connection between the actions brought against the N-82 restriction act and against the notice to leave the country in the short-term refusal notification. This is a decision on connection; it is not a decision annulling the restriction record or the permit refusal on the merits. [22]

This example shows the importance of identifying separately in the file the entry restriction, the residence refusal and the departure acts concerning the same person. The subject, service and time limit for filing suit of each decision, and where necessary the connection between the lawsuits, should be assessed.

Checklist before applying and after a decision

In the preparation of an application, it is useful to answer the following questions with documents:

1. Purpose of stay: Does the chosen permit ground explain the real situation; would another type of permit be more suitable?
2. Duration: Are the dates of the visa, current permit, passport and insurance consistent with one another?
3. Address: Is the residence or accommodation document correct; is the address open to the application and the record?
4. Income: Can the amount sought, its source and its regularity be shown?
5. Documents: Are the current list, translation/certification, and family and child documents complete?
6. Follow-up: Are the appointment, submission, notice of additional documents, UETS and other notifications being monitored?
7. Negative decision: Have the reasoning and date of service been recorded; is there another entry or deportation decision?

This check reduces noticing a deficiency only afterwards. In particular, in files involving title deed acquisition, graduation, transition from a family permit or more than one negative administrative act, it is useful to carry out a review of documents and time limits before procedures begin. Explanations on the scope of applications and refusal/cancellation lawsuits are available on the page on residence permit applications and refusal/cancellation lawsuits; matters related to property acquisition are available on the page on acquisition of real estate in Türkiye by foreigners.

Conclusion

The core issue in the short-term residence permit is that the stay in Türkiye rests on the right ground and the documents that verify it. A tourism application, an application based on a residence, a post-graduation permit or a transition from a family permit are not conducted under the same document and time-limit rules. The current official list, the applicant’s status and the instruction on the specific file should be assessed together.

The application and the extension should be made in time; address, income, insurance and passport details should be consistent; notifications should be followed. In a refusal or cancellation, a new application, an annulment action, a stay of execution and, if any, the route against a deportation decision should be kept separate from one another. Proper preparation makes it possible to identify the appropriate legal route and its time limit; it does not constitute a guarantee of a positive result.

Frequently Asked Questions

For how many years is a short-term residence permit granted?

The general rule is at most two years each time. For certain investors and TRNC citizens, a permit of up to five years is possible. There are special periods for graduation and some programmes. The maximum period does not mean that everyone will be granted a permit of that length. [1]

How long does it take for a short-term residence permit to be concluded?

The general period is at most 90 days from the complete submission of all information and documents to the competent authority. It does not start in every case with the appointment record. Notification is provided for if the period is extended; the passing of 90 days does not mean that the permit has been granted automatically. [2] [9]

When is an extension application made?

It is made from 60 days before the end of the current permit and in every case before the permit ends. There is no general 60-day period for applying for an extension after the card has expired. [1]

What documents are needed for an extension application?

The signed form, passport, current photographs, necessary payment documents, health coverage covering the new period, income and address documents, UETS, and documents showing that the purpose of stay continues are checked. Purpose-specific attachments, such as a title deed continuation document in the residence ground, may also be required. [3] [5]

Why is an extension application refused?

Loss of the permit conditions, use contrary to the purpose of stay, or a valid entry ban/deportation decision are the main grounds. The documents and reasoning in the specific file should be examined. The old 120-day rule should not be used as a current automatic ground for refusal. [1] [18]

Is a residence permit the same as a residence certificate (ikametgâh)?

No. A residence permit is the permit for a foreigner’s stay in Türkiye; a place-of-residence document is a document that shows the registered address. An address record alone does not give a right of lawful stay. [1] [3]

Is an e-İkamet application subject to a fee?

Creating the form and appointment in the official system is free. The residence fee, card fee, necessary visa fee and expenses such as insurance, notary and translation may arise separately. [9]

If a lawyer applies, is it not necessary to attend in person?

An application through a lawyer holding a power of attorney is possible. However, personal attendance, identity verification or biometric procedures that the administration considers necessary are carried out separately. [3] [7]

Can a notary grant a residence permit?

The notary is an alternative channel that receives a suitable file and forwards it to the relevant directorate. The assessment on granting the permit is made by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. Submission through a notary does not guarantee acceptance. [9] [13]

How long must the passport be valid?

Validity at least 60 days longer than the requested period of residence is required. When calculating the requested permit period, the passport expiry date and this extra period must be checked together. [1]

How many biometric photographs are needed?

The short-term document list checked on 28 October 2026 requests two photographs. The photographs must have been taken in the last six months, have a white background and comply with ICAO standards. The current list generated in the application should be checked separately. [3]

Is showing money in a bank enough for a tourism permit?

It is not regarded as sufficient on its own. The current list seeks the sufficiency of income and its regularity over at least the last three months. For an individual application, at least 1.5 times the net minimum wage; for an application with family, a criterion of at least one net minimum wage per person is stated. [3]

Does buying a USD 200,000 home automatically produce a residence permit?

No. The current official list seeks a TL value equivalent to at least USD 200,000 at the date of acquisition, a residential nature and the applicant’s use of the residence. The other conditions for the permit must also be met. [1] [3]

Does the same value condition apply to a home bought on an earlier date?

Old acquisitions and previously granted permits should be examined together with the date of acquisition, the type of application and the applicable transitional rules. The current form alone does not show that all past files are subject to the same regime. [3] [4]

Can the residence that forms the basis of residence be rented to someone else?

The current property application list requires the residence to be used by the foreigner for the purpose of living there and not for rental or similar income-generating purposes. Living elsewhere and submitting only the title deed may not satisfy this condition. [3]

Can the whole family obtain a property-based permit with one person’s title deed?

It cannot be obtained automatically. In this item, the co-ownership or joint ownership of family members and documents of the family tie are important. The suitable type of permit for family members who have no right on the title deed is assessed separately. [3] [9]

Is health insurance mandatory in every case?

As a rule, acceptable health coverage covering the requested period is sought. Social security documents may be an alternative to a private policy. Exceptions relating to age and certain treatment situations apply within their specific scope. [3] [25]

Who is asked for UETS?

According to the current general document list and the central announcement, a document showing the UETS address is requested in extension and transition applications. Persons under 18 are not asked for their own UETS document; follow-up of notifications in respect of the parent or guardian is regulated separately. [3] [15]

Can an application be made while staying in a hotel?

In the current list, hotel accommodation is one of the options for a housing document. An accommodation document and a receipt showing that the requested period has been paid are requested. This document does not replace the other application conditions. [3]

Is the total fee for a residence permit TL 964 in 2026?

No. TL 964 is only the 2026 document/card fee. The residence fee, the visa fee if applicable, and expenses such as insurance, translation and notary are calculated separately. [10] [11]

Can a foreigner who graduated in Türkiye obtain a two-year permit?

The first graduation permit in the law is a one-time permit of at most one year. According to 2026 official announcements, graduates who have received a one-year permit under this scope may be granted one more year under Art. 31/1-g in the specified application range and with the other conditions. Two years is not automatic. [1] [16] [23]

After a divorce, can one move to a short-term permit?

In a divorce from a Turkish citizen spouse, the transition can be assessed if the condition of at least three years’ stay on a family permit is met. If victimization through domestic violence is established by a court decision, the three-year condition is not sought. Not every divorce file is deemed suitable automatically. [1]

Can one work with a short-term permit?

The permit does not by itself give authority to work. A suitable work permit or exemption is separately required. Establishing a company or becoming a partner does not remove this check either. [3] [17]

How does the 15-day travel work while waiting for the application?

An application certificate approved by the administration that meets the necessary conditions, the fee payment record and a valid travel document are used. The relevant visa exemption applies when the person returns within 15 days after each exit. The appointment printout alone is not this document. [2] [9]

Does the permit end if one stays abroad more than 120 days?

The old 120-day statutory item for the short-term permit has been repealed; the Migration Management also states that the limit has been removed. The purpose and validity date of the permit and the separate calculation of interruption in residence continue. [1] [18]

Within how many days must a change of address be notified?

A change during the permit must be notified within 20 business days. In a move to another province, the residence procedure through the new province is also required; one should not be content with changing the address record alone. [3] [9]

Can one continue to stay in Türkiye after filing a refusal lawsuit?

Filing a lawsuit or asking for a stay of execution does not by itself extend the period of stay. The current lawful status, the obligation notified and any decision of the court are assessed separately. [1] [19]

What is the time limit for filing suit against a residence refusal?

Unless there is a special regulation, the general period is 60 days, calculated from the day following written notification. A proper administrative application affecting the period and special situations are examined separately. This period is not an additional period of lawful stay. [19]

If a deportation decision is also issued, is the same lawsuit enough?

No. A deportation decision is a separate act, and the special seven-day time limit for filing suit and the protection regime in Art. 53 must be assessed. Having challenged the residence refusal does not by itself protect the time limit for the separate deportation decision. [1]

After a refusal, must one always wait six months to reapply?

In a new application within six months after a refusal or cancellation, a different residence ground is sought. This does not mean that everyone is barred for six months on all grounds, or that a permit will certainly be obtained after six months. The new ground and the lawful status for applying are examined together. [2]

Sources

The sources were checked on 28 October 2026. Statutory provisions, current administrative document lists and the scope of the decisions themselves were assessed together.

1. Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. Arts. 19–34, 46 and 53; current consolidated text. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
2. Regulation on the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection. Official Gazette 17.03.2016, No. 29656; Arts. 21–22, 26 and 28; with subsequent legislative amendments. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
3. Migration Management — Documents Requested in Short-Term Residence Permit Applications. tur=0; current 7-page document list, in particular pp. 1–4 and 7. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
4. e-İkamet — Short-Term First Application Sample Form. GöçNet 2026/04; 8 pages; accommodation, tourism income, real estate and other reasons for stay. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
5. e-İkamet — Short-Term Extension Application Sample Form. GöçNet 2026/04; 8 pages; address, UETS, income and purpose-of-stay documents. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
6. e-İkamet — Short-Term Transition Application Sample Form. GöçNet 2026/04; 8 pages; together with the general list and the UETS announcement. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
7. Presidency of Migration Management — Residence General Information. Application route, representation, appointment and residence application certificate. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
8. Presidency of Migration Management — Types of Residence Permit. Short-term grounds, programme durations, treatment and companions; together with the current law. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
9. YİMER 157 — Frequently Asked Questions. Residence, passport, 90-day review, travel, address and notary application. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
10. Presidency of Migration Management — 2026 Document Fee and Residence Fee Amounts. 2026 card fee, fee calculation by nationality and duration. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
11. General Directorate of Public Accounts General Communiqué (Serial No: 97). Official Gazette 24.12.2025, 33117; 2026 valuable paper table, residence permit TL 964. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
12. Ministry of Labor and Social Security — Minimum Wage. 01.01.2026–31.12.2026; net monthly TL 28,075.50; the income examples were calculated from this amount. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
13. Batman Provincial Directorate of Migration Management — Receiving Residence Applications through Notaries. 23.09.2024; optional file submission opened nationwide; together with YİMER. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
14. Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management — Announcement on Closing of Neighbourhoods. Announcement dated 01.07.2022; the suitability of a specific current address is checked separately. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
15. Presidency of Migration Management — UETS Announcement for Residence Extension and Transition. Announcement of 01.04.2024; starting 15.04.2024; together with the current document list. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
16. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University — Additional Residence Permit for International Graduates. 19.08.2026; first year Art. 31/1-i, additional year Art. 31/1-g; application range and conditions. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
17. International Labor Force Law No. 6735. Arts. 6 and 27; work permit and the YUKK short-term duration/120-day amendment. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
18. Presidency of Migration Management — Residence Permit / Residence FAQ. Removal of the limit on the period of stay abroad for the short-term permit by the 13.08.2016 amendment. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
19. Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577. Arts. 7–8, 11, 26–27 and 38–39; current consolidated text. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
20. AYM, Hans Jürgen Peter Louven, Application No: 2020/21147, 24.10.2024. Second Section; §§1–5, 11–21 and 33–36; no violation in family life. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
21. AYM, A.A.S.S., Application No: 2021/2075, 04.11.2025. Second Section; §§6–12, 40–49, 52–68; guarantee of an effective remedy in deportation proceedings. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
22. Council of State (Danıştay) 10th Chamber, E.2023/3217, K.2023/3370, 08.06.2023. Connection between lawsuits on the restriction act and the notice to leave the country. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
23. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University — Residence Permit for International Graduates. 14.08.2026; conditional additional one year and the special 90-day application range. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
24. Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. Arts. 10–12; separateness of citizenship and residence applications. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
25. e-İkamet — Explanations on Applications and Documents. Health insurance, age and certain treatment/companion exceptions; together with current special documents. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
26. Law No. 7533. Arts. 35–36; amendments to YUKK Arts. 31/6–7 and 53/3; adopted 21.11.2024. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.
27. Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University DİLMER — Ankara Living Guide. p. 28; source of the residence card photograph bearing the Örnektir–Specimen marking used on the cover. Accessed: 28 October 2026. Official source.