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IMMIGRATION LAW · LAWFUL STAY IN TÜRKİYE

Residence Permit Applications and Appeals

Residence permit, extension and transition procedures suited to your purpose of stay in Türkiye. In rejection, cancellation and non-extension decisions, time limits, documents and litigation options are assessed together.

Request a Consultation on a Residence Permit

What Should You Determine First in the Residence Permit Process?

A residence permit, commonly called oturma izni, is the permit document required, subject to statutory exceptions, for a stay in Türkiye that exceeds the visa or exemption period. In an initial application, the actual purpose of stay is assessed; in a rejection or cancellation decision, the type of decision, the date of notification and the current lawful stay are assessed together. The passport, the permit history and, if there is one, the entire decision are the starting point of the initial review.

LEGAL ADVISORY · ADMINISTRATIVE APPLICATION · JUDICIAL REVIEW

Our Legal Services in Residence Permits

In the guide that suits your permit type and the stage of your file, you can review the conditions, document preparation and routes of application.

  • Short-term residence

    Assessment of documents, duration and application for tourism, housing, commercial ties, medical treatment and other short-term stay purposes.

    Short-term residence guide

  • Family and student residence

    Family ties, the sponsor, children and education records; the effect of divorce, graduation and a change of school on the permit.

    Family and student residence guide

  • Long-term and humanitarian residence

    The eight-year residence calculation, humanitarian grounds and the separate conditions of the protective permits specific to victims of human trafficking.

    Long-term and humanitarian residence guide

  • Applications, extensions and documents

    Application preparation for the e-İkamet record, appointment, passport, insurance, income, address and foreign documents.

    Applications, extensions and documents guide

  • Rejection, cancellation and litigation

    The reasoning of the decision, the 60-day time limit for filing an action, the administrative application, stay of execution and the assessment of a separate deportation decision.

    Rejection, cancellation and litigation guide

  • UETS and application tracking

    Electronic and postal notification, notification of address, an application that has not been concluded, and leaving the country while awaiting a permit.

    UETS and application tracking guide

Three Key Distinctions in Application and Litigation Time Limits

Extension: the last 60 days

The application is made from the time 60 days remain until the current permit expires, and before it expires. Appointment and document procedures are also completed in line with the current procedure.

Annulment action: generally 60 days

For a residence rejection, cancellation or non-extension decision, the general time limit for filing an action is calculated from the day following written notification. It is not confused with the time limit of a separate deportation decision.

Administrative objection: 30-day response

A timely application that complies with Article 11 of the Administrative Procedure Law (İYUK) suspends the time limit for filing an action. An implied rejection arises if no response is given within 30 days; the remaining time continues to run.

The nature of the act, valid notification, holidays and special circumstances that affect the calculation of the time limit are checked on the basis of the file. Opening a new e-İkamet record does not by itself suspend the time limit for filing an action.

Check the date of notification, the translation and the notification procedure.

In UETS, a notification is deemed to have been made at the end of the fifth day following the date it reaches the electronic address. Not receiving an SMS or not reading the message does not remove the time-limit risk. For postal notification, the delivery and service receipt (mazbata) are examined; for KEP messages, the legal regime of the act itself is examined.

Review UETS, postal notification and document preparation

Residence Permit, Right to Work and Protection Status

Six permit types, different conditions

Short-term, family, student, long-term, humanitarian and human trafficking victim permits serve different purposes. The actual reason for stay and the documents determine the appropriate type. Visa/exemption, the work permit and other statutory exceptions are examined separately.

Review the application and exemption conditions

Do not draw automatic conclusions about rights

A residence permit card does not by itself provide the right to work or citizenship. Ownership of real estate or a company is not a guarantee of a permit. International and temporary protection are also legal statuses different from a residence permit.

Immigration law and protection procedures

Our Approach in Residence Permits

  1. Status and timeline

    We review entries and exits, the type of permit, the purpose of stay, and the dates of notification and expiry together.

  2. Documents and choice of route

    We compare passport, address, insurance, family, education or title deed records, and distinguish between application and litigation options.

  3. Application or litigation

    Within the scope of the accepted matter, the file is prepared; appointment, additional documents, administrative application and litigation procedures are carried out.

  4. Decision and information

    The decision, the card and notifications are followed; where necessary, legal remedies and the implementation of the decision are monitored. Subsequent obligations are explained.

Matters we will clarify in the initial assessment

The appropriate type of permit, the route of application or litigation, missing records and urgent time limits are clarified. The scope of the service, the attorney’s fee and separate expenses are explained. The method of communication through which developments will be reported is determined; procedures that require personal attendance are announced in advance.

Preparing for the Residence Permit Consultation

Priority information and documents

  • Identity and stay: Passport, entries and exits, current and previous residence permit cards.
  • Application: e-İkamet form, appointment, application certificate, fee and additional document records.
  • Decision and notification: The entire rejection/cancellation decision, the UETS evidence record or the postal envelope and service receipt.
  • Purpose of stay: Family, education, title deed, commercial ties or medical treatment documents, depending on the file.
  • Supporting documents: Address, accommodation, income, insurance and translations of necessary foreign documents.
  • Priorities: Permit expiry, planned travel, any previous action and, if there is one, a separate deportation decision.

Based in Antalya, Serving All of Türkiye: Residence Permit Procedures

Güneş & Güneş Law Firm, founded in Kemer in 1999, has continued its professional activity based in Antalya since 2007. In residence permit files in all 81 provinces of Türkiye, the work is planned taking into account the migration authority with which the application will be filed, the courts with subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction, and representation requirements.

The ability to communicate in Turkish, English, German and Russian supports explaining the purpose of stay, preparing foreign documents and understanding the decision. Communication support is different from official interpreting. Online consultation from abroad, power of attorney, apostille/certification and translation requirements can be planned in advance; procedures that must be carried out in person are stated separately.

Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Permits

Does buying a home in Türkiye guarantee a residence permit?

No. The residential character of the property, actual use, address, acquisition conditions and the other requirements of the permit type are examined together. Acquisition of real estate, a residence permit and citizenship by investment are different processes.

Can I work with a residence permit card?

As a rule, a residence permit does not give the right to work. A work permit or exemption is assessed separately; being a shareholder of a company does not remove this examination either.

If I have an attorney, do I need to go to the appointment?

Representation is possible, but the authority may request personal attendance or biometric procedures. The scope of the power of attorney and the appointment instruction are checked before the application.

Can I reapply for the same purpose after a rejection?

In a reapplication made within six months, a new purpose of stay is required. A different purpose, lawful stay and new conditions are examined separately; a reapplication does not automatically stop the time limit for filing an action against the earlier decision.

Can I leave the country while my application is pending?

The approved application certificate, fee or exemption conditions and the duration of travel are decisive. Travel should not be planned on the basis of the form printout alone, without checking the conditions of the visa exemption on return within 15 days.

Is a residence permit sufficient for citizenship?

No. The type of permit, the calculation of residence and the other requirements of citizenship are assessed separately. Not every period of permit leads to the same result in the calculation for citizenship.

How are fees and expenses determined?

The scope of application preparation, administrative objection, litigation and post-decision follow-up is determined separately. In addition to the attorney’s fee, official fees, card, notary, translation, insurance and litigation expenses are explained; no commitment to a result is made.

Can I meet with you if I am outside Türkiye?

An online preliminary assessment can be made. Power of attorney, apostille or certification and translation requirements are planned. Procedures that must be carried out in person are not considered completed within remote representation.

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Legal Basis

Depending on the stage of the file and the request, the regulations below are assessed together.

This content is general information. Information and documents you share are kept confidential and used for legal assessment and within the agreed scope of service. An inquiry alone does not create an attorney–client relationship and does not stop time limits. The legal conditions of the specific matter are reviewed separately.