Short-Term Residence Permit

Short-term residence permits have several subtypes, which are valid for specific situations. These are:

Touristic Residence Permit

The touristic residence permit is for tourism purposes and it does not give the right to work in Turkey.

Requirements, Highlights, and Documents for Touristic Residence Permit:

  • Valid up to one (1) year.
  • The applicant for the touristic residence permit must be over eighteen (18) years old.
  • Valid health insurance. It is not required for applicants younger than eighteen (18) and older than sixty-five (65).
  • Local Turkish bank document demonstrating the applicant’s financial independence and ability to support the applicant and dependent family members (spouse and children under the age of eighteen (18) years old)
  • Resident application form
  • The original passport and notarized translation by a Turkish notary public of the passport or travel document.
  • 4 biometric passport photos of each applicant. It must meet biometric requirements and must be on a white background.
  • For applying for a spouse or dependent child, Turkish sworn translations of the child’s birth certificate and spouse’s marriage certificate are required. These certificates may require apostille (if the country has agreements with Turkey) or stamps from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkish consulate in the applicant’s country.
  • Criminal record (If the applicant is getting a residence permit in Turkey for the first time, the applicant must submit a criminal record obtained from their own country. If the applicant is applying for renewal of the residence permit and living in Turkey for a short or long time, applicants must also get a criminal record from the Turkish government.)

Business Residence Permit

A business residence permit in Turkey is for exploring business opportunities, visiting suppliers and buyers, conducting market research, trade shows, conferences, and starting a business.

Requirements, Documents, and Highlights for Business Residence Permit:

  • Valid up to one (1) year.
  • The applicant must be over eighteen (18) years old.
  • Valid health insurance. It is not required for applicants younger than eighteen (18) and older than sixty-five (65) years old.
  • Evidence of financial independence and capability to support the applicant itself and dependent family members
  • Resident application form
  • The original passport and notarized translation by a Turkish notary public of the passport or travel document.
  • 4 biometric passport photos of each applicant. It must meet biometric requirements and must be on a white background.
  • Criminal record certificate

Residence Permit by Purchasing Real Estate

Foreign property buyers can apply for a residence permit.

Requirements, Documents, and Highlights for Residence Permit by Owning a Real Estate:

  • The applicant must be over eighteen (18) years old.
  • The copy of the passport that notarized by a Turkish Notary Public or Turkish Consulates. It must be translated by a sworn translator at the notary.
  • Digital copies of biometric passport photos to upload during the online application.
  • The property must be eligible for getting a residence permit. The value of the property must be a minimum of 75.000 $ in large cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya, and must be a minimum of 50.000 $ in smaller cities.

These are the main types of Turkish residence permits. But, there are other opportunities for short-term residence permits:

  • Scientific research (including archaeological and excavations, surveys, documentary filming, films, investigations for film locations, etc.)
  • Medical treatment
  • Non-educational programs including exchange-short time training programs
  • Rights holders by judicial authorities (Victims of domestic violence and foreigners who are married and divorced to Turkish citizens and therefore need an alternative right of residence granted through the judicial authorities.)