A Residents Permit allows you to remain in Turkey for longer than the normal 90 day Visitor Visa.
With the introduction of the new “90 within 180 day” visitor visa, the visa run to the Greek Islands has come to an end for many. The newly priced Residents Permit is now the only alternative if you wish to stay in Turkey for longer than 90 days.
The Residents Permit does not allow you to work, if you wish to work in Turkey you must apply for a work permit.
The Residents Permit, is different to a Residents Visa, the Residents Visa is obtained before you come to Turkey via the Turkish Consulate and is normally only valid for 3 months and is only for a single entry into Turkey.
Your Resident’s Permit allows you reside in Turkey for a set period of time. You may leave the country and return using the Resident’s Permit instead of purchasing a Visitor Visa.
It does not affect your UK privileges and should not affect your tax status in the UK .
Documents for Long Term Residents Visa
1 x Residency Statement, Ikamet form (available at the Nüfüs Department)
5 x passport sized photographs
Original passport with visa obtained on entering Turkey
Photocopy of the passport:
Photo Page
Page showing the last entry to Turkey
Page showing passport validity period
Your Turkish Tax Number (obtained from tax office)Copy of your Rental Agreement or Tapu (take original to show at office)
Bank Statement showing sufficient funds to cover period of stay (currently $500 per month)
The correct amount for payment including cost of Residents Book
note: if you are married to a Turkish Citizen you may not need proof of funds as your partner is assumed to be supporting your stay
You will also require if married to a Turkish Citizen and residing with them:
A copy of your partners ID Card (Kimlik)
Copy of your Marriage Book/Certificate (if in English must be translated and notarised)
2 Passport photos of your Partner
To Renew your Residents Permit
You will require the same documents as above and your Blue Permit book (Ikamet).
It takes around two weeks for the Permit to be processed but may take longer.
If you are currently on a Visitors Visa please apply at least 2 to 3 weeks before your Visitors Visa is due to expire, you can not apply for a Residents Permit if your Visa is expired.
Be aware that every district requirements are different and may ask you for additional proof or information.
How to apply
Take all the Documents as above to your local Yabancılar Şubesi or police station depending on district.
You may require a newspaper stating current exchange rate.
Your will be given a docket with amount to pay at the tax office
Once paid you will be given a receipt you then need to return to the Yabancılar Şubesi
Either the officer or you will fill out the Permit application and sign where appropriate.
Once all the documents are checked and forms are completed and checked they will be sent for processing and should be returned within 1 to 2 weeks. (this may be longer due to public holidays)
You will be given a date to return and collect your Residents Permit Book.
Find out your Yabancı Kimlik Numarasi
Once you have your Residents Permit, you will be allocated what is called your Yabancı Kimlik Numarasi or Foreigner Identity Number . To find out what your YKN number is visit www.tckimlik.nvi.gov.tr enter your details and take a note of your personal YKN number.
Please remember every districts department has different requirements and it is hard to cover every eventuality, this is a basic guide on what you need and the processes. Make sure to check with the Yabancılar Şubesi Office in your area to find out what their requirements are.
All the prices and processes are subject to change, I will do my best to update the article when changes are made, but please make sure to check all the details before making your application.
Have you applied for your Residency Permit how did you find the process? Do you have a question about your application? Do you have any tips for your area that you would like to share?
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8 Responses to “Residency Permit for Turkey | Applying for a Residents Permit”
7 March, 2012
JustinHi, my wife and I just moved to Turkey and are getting ready to apply for our residents permit. However, we’re being told that we need original copies of our marriage license and birth certificates, which have to be translated into Turkish and notarized here. But I don’t see those on your list above. Any thoughts?
8 March, 2012
Kerry ArslanHi Justin, Thank You for your question. I was requested at my renewal last October for my Birth Certificate and I was told it was new procedure. I did a little research and asked about and no one was aware or been asked for their Birth Certificate so I left it out of my article, it must be new procedure. To translate and notarize my Birth Certificate it cost us about 100 Lira. Its not normal for them to ask for the Marriage Certificate if you are both foreign Nationals. You do require to show your Marriage Certificate if one of you is a Turkish National. However it’s not an exact science going for your Resident’s Permit and every district is different and they are never the same twice unfortunately. It’s better to go with what they ask and give them as much information as you can. Hope that helps a little. Let me know how it all goes. Kerry
8 March, 2012
JustinThat’s interesting. Two American couples here (Ankara) said their marriage licenses were required too. We unfortunately left all of that in the U.S., so we’re in a pinch to get it shipped over. I’ll let you know how it all turns out.
10 April, 2012
CarolCan you tell me if the funds required in your bank to show for a Residents Permit, is this per person so if you are a couple it is $1000 per month.
10 April, 2012
Kerry ArslanHi Carol
Yes it is per person as the Residents Permit is issued to the individual. Hope that helps.
Kerry
25 April, 2012
Justin TappAs a follow-up comment, my family just received our residency permits. (Americans living in Ankara.) We did not need a Turkish tax number or a rental agreement. We did need a translated birth certificate for my son and a translated marriage license for my wife and I. These didn’t need to be notarized, the translator’s stamp was enough. We did have a copy of a (foreign) bank statement showing sufficient funds.
16 July, 2012
Tara NizamHi Kerry I have a question for you and hoping you can answer it for me. My husband is Turkish and I am English. I have been back and forth from England and Turkey for the last 5 years but as you are aware they have recently changed the visa rules. I would like to apply for residency but only proof we have is a print out from the nufus department and unfortunately for horrible reasons are unable to get a new copy or our , marriage book. I was wondering if you know if that would be enough proof it has been signed and officially stamped. My other question is I am 4 months pregnant and will be having our baby in England so will I have to apply for residency for my baby too?
would be so greatful if you could help me
16 August, 2012
Kerry ArslanHi Tara
Very sorry for the slow reply been on our holidays and I am only just getting back into my blogging again. I hope I can still help you.
You can go to the Nufus and get proof of marriage can’t remember the name but we had to obtain one for a visa application as our marriage book was away for passports. Its just one page and gives the dates etc and proof of marriage. We also just contacted the office to see what we needed and what to do if we didn’t have an item and they guided us through the process.
For your little one when you need you can take your birthcert to the nufus and register him I think their is a small fee and you will get a id card for him as he gets automatic citizenship because of his Dad. If you then apply for his british passport that is proof of his british citizenship giving him joint citizenship. Both are easy to organise.
I hope that helps and makes sense any questions please message me. I will be checking in most days now.