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Residence Permits in Turkey
There are various types of residence permits in Turkey for foreigners to apply for. So, here, we are going to list the most general types which hopefully could give you a better understanding.
Related Article: How to Get a Residence Permit in Turkey?
If you need legal aid with a resident permit in Turkey, feel free to contact us or our experienced law firm in Turkey.
Short-Term Residence Permit in Turkey
This is the bigger category of more specific types. This kind of residence permit includes touristic purposes, business purposes, medical treatments, educational purposes, scientific research, and so on.
A short-term residence permit in Turkey is used for foreigners that wish to stay for a short time period in Turkey, which doesn’t exceed their visa/visa-exempt expiration date.
It has a certain time limit depending on foreigners’ nationality. The maximum period is about two years. But it can be invalid if not used within six months.
Some features you will get from this permit type are, such as; exiting and entering Turkey without a visa, having a Turkish identity number, facilitating internal transactions and bank issues, facilitating money movement (for company & business owners), and so forth.
Long-Term Residence Permit in Turkey
You need to stay in Turkey for at least eight consecutive years to apply for a long-term residence permit. Once foreigners have owned their ID cards, they will not need to renew/extend their permits. The card never gets expired.
Foreigners who are holding this permit type may enjoy the rights vested in Turkish citizens.
But there are some exceptions in particular areas, such as; military service obligation, rights in an election, holding public office, importing vehicles, and some arrangements in the private law.
You cannot go outside Turkey for more than a year, or your long-term residence permit will be canceled. But it is okay for the reasons of; education, health, and compulsory public services in your home country.
Family Residence Permit in Turkey
This residence permit may be granted to first-degree relatives of Turkish citizens or Turkish residents who have legally resided in the country for one year. This is valid for three years.
The family members include:
• Foreign spouse,
• Foreign children or foreign minor children,
• Dependent foreign children,
For polygamous marriages, only one of the spouses shall be granted a family residence permit in Turkey. But this permit can also be given to foreign children from another spouse. The Turkish citizen/resident will be having a status as a “supporter.” They are considered individuals who cover the expenses of foreign nationals that will come to Turkey.
As a child below 18 years old who will not have income, they cannot be referred to as supporters. The foreign mother or father of the Turkish citizen/resident child either may not accompany the child or get a family residence permit. However, they may apply for a short-term residence permit in Turkey instead.
Student Residence Permit in Turkey
This is for foreigners who shall attend an associate, undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate program; or receive education in medicine or dentistry in Turkey.
On the other hand, foreigners who shall receive primary or secondary education are not required to apply for a student residence permit, only a family residence permit, until they reach 18 years of age.
The duration of the residence permits in Turkey will not exceed the period of study if the study is less than one year.
For foreigners who will get an education from state institutions or organizations, the residence permit shall be granted for the full period of the study.
Foreign nationals are required to have health insurance to get a student residence permit in Turkey. It can be applied in the provincial directorate of social security institutions or social security centers.
Related Article: How Long Does it Take to Obtain a Student Visa in Turkey?
Humanitarian Residence Permit in Turkey
This residence permit type can be given for the following reasons:
• Giving a high benefit to the child,
• Deportation or exclusion order when departure procedures of the foreign nationals from Turkey cannot be performed,
• During the process of returning an asylum seeker to his or her home country or to a safe third country,
• Emergency reasons, protecting national benefits and interests, public peace or public order reasons,
• And other extraordinary cases,
Humanitarian residence permits in Turkey will be granted or renewed for a maximum period of one year.
While issuing this residence permit type, conditions that were attached to the other types of residence permits in Turkey will not be sought.
Residence Permit in Turkey For Victims of Human Trafficking
Just like its name, this shall be granted to foreigners who are victims of human trafficking or where there are strong pieces of evidence that they might be a victim.
The residence permits for victims of human trafficking will be issued for 30 days by governorates and may be renewed for six months period. The total duration shall not exceed three years.
The condition attached will not be sought while issuing this type of residence permit in Turkey.
Related Article: Residence Permit in Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide.
