How to Get a Short-Term Residence Permit in Turkey?

Residence permits in general and types of residence permits in Turkey are regulated under Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. One of the types of residence permits is the short-term residence permit, which is commonly applied in Turkey.

As your immigration lawyers in Istanbul, we, Viridis Legal Partners can assist you, as a foreigner to have a short-term residence permit in Turkey. You can find details of what is a short-term residence permit, how to apply for a short-term residence permit in Turkey, eligibility criteria for Turkish short-term residence permits and required documents for short-term residence permit applications in Turkey, and other specifications of short-term residence permits in Turkey in this guide.

What is a Short-Term Residence Permit in Turkey?

Short-term residence permits in Turkey can be defined as residence permits that cover a wide range of purposes of stay and are issued for the duration of the purpose of stay. Short-term residence permits are one of the most applied types of residence permits in Turkey.

The short term residence permit and its legal grounds are regulated under the Article 31 of the aforementioned Law;

“Short-term residence permit

ARTICLE 31 – (1) The following foreigners may be granted a short-term residence permit:

1. a) Those who will come for scientific research
2. b) Those who have immovable property in Turkey
3. c) Those who will establish commercial contacts or business

ç) Participants in in-service training programmes

1. d) Those who will come for education or similar purposes within the framework of agreements to which the Republic of Turkey is a party or student exchange programmes
2. e) Accommodation for tourism purposes
3. f) They will receive treatment provided that they do not have one of the diseases considered as a threat to public health
4. g) Those who are required to stay in Turkey upon the request or decision of judicial or administrative authorities

ğ) Those who change from family residence permit to short-term residence permit

1. h) Participants in Turkish language learning courses

ı) Participate in training, research, internships and courses in Turkey through public institutions

1. i) Those who have completed their higher education in Turkey and who apply within six months from the date of graduation
2. j) (Additional: 28/7/2016-6735/27 Art.) Those who do not work in Turkey but will make investments in the scope and amount to be determined by the President of the Republic, and their foreign spouses, their and their spouses’ minor or dependent foreign children
3. k) (Additional: 28/7/2016-6735/27 Art.) Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

(2) (Amended: 28/7/2016-6735/27 Art.) Short-term residence permits, except for subparagraphs (j) and (k) of the first paragraph, may be granted for a maximum of two years each time.

(3) Residence permits issued under subparagraph (h) of the first paragraph may be issued at most twice.

(4) Residence permits granted under subparagraph (i) of the first paragraph may be granted for a maximum period of one year for one time only.

(5) (Additional: 28/7/2016-6735/27 Art.) Residence permits granted under subparagraphs (j) and (k) of the first paragraph may be granted for a maximum of five years each.”

According to the text of the article, a short-term residence permit can be applied for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from scientific research to establishing business and commercial contacts; from touristic reasons to attending Turkish language courses.

If we draw attention to some points; firstly, the residence permit to be granted to foreigners who intend to participate in in-service training programmes, to participate in student exchange programmes, to participate in education, research, internship and courses in Turkey through public institutions is not a student residence permit but a short-term residence permit. The duration of the authorisation varies according to the reason for the application.

Who Can Apply for a Short-Term Residence Permit in Turkey?

Pursuant to Article 32 of the Law, those who submit information and documents related to this request from those who make a request for a short-term residence permit for the necessary reasons; those who are not among the foreigners who will not be allowed to enter Turkey, those who have accommodation conditions in accordance with general health and safety standards and, if requested, those who submit a document showing their criminal record issued by the competent authorities of the country where they are a citizen or legally reside and those who provide the address information where they will stay in Turkey are considered eligible for a short-term residence permit.

How to Apply for a Short-Term Residence Permit in Turkey

The first stage of applying for a short term residence permit in Turkey is to apply from https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/. The applicant also must attend the appointment made upon application in person. Residence permit applications in Turkey cannot be made through consulates at the moment and applications are received by the governorship of the city where the applicant wishes to reside. Applications for residence permits in Turkey are finalised within a maximum of 90 days and this period is also valid for short-term residence permits.

Required Documents To Apply For A Short-Term Residence Permit in Turkey

1. Residence Permit Application Form
2. Photocopy of passport or passport substitute
3. Four (4) biometric photographs
4. Declaration of having sufficient and regular financial means for the duration of the stay
5. Documents/receipts showing that the residence fee and card fee have been paid
6. Valid health insurance

o A document obtained from the provincial social security units indicating that health services are utilized in Turkey within the scope of bilateral social security agreements

o Provision document obtained from the Social Security Institution

o Document regarding the application made to the Social Security Institution to become a general health insured

o Private health insurance

7. Document showing that it is registered in the Address Registration System

8. Document showing the place to stay (o photocopy of the title deed; o notarized copy of your lease agreement; o documents showing that you are staying in a hotel, etc.; o document showing that you are staying in a dormitory, o notarized commitment of the person you are staying with )

There are also some specific documents depending on the purpose of stay such as;

• For short-term residence permit applications for scientific research
  • Visa obtained from the foreign representative offices of the Republic of Turkey (for excavations and surveys)
  • Document showing the duration and location of the research to be conducted
• For short-term residence permits to be issued for those who own immovable property in Turkey
  • copy of the title deed
• For short-term residence permits for those who will establish commercial connections or businesses
  • Invitation letter to be received from the persons or companies to be contacted, notarized company activity certificate, notarized tax plate, notarized trade registry gazette, notarized signature circular
• Short-term residence for participants in in-service training programs izinlerinde
  • Document showing the duration and location of the training to be received from public institutions or organizations where in-service training will be provided
• Short-term residence for those who will come for education or similar purposes within the framework of agreements to which the Republic of Turkey is a party or student exchange programs
  • Document of training/internship certificate/AIESEC certificate to be obtained from the institutions or organizations where the training/internship will be seen
• For short-term residence permits to be obtained by those coming for treatment purposes
  • Document from the public or private hospitals where the treatment will be received, indicating that the admission to the hospital has been registered and the treatment has started (It must show the duration of the treatment, signed by the chief physician and a physician and stamped/sealed)
• For short-term residence permits to be obtained due to the request or decision of administrative or judicial authorities
  • A document from the administrative authorities stating that the person must stay in Turkey (the period of stay must be specified so as not to exceed the periods in Law No. 6458)
• For short-term residence permits to be issued to participants in Turkish language learning courses
  • Visa (for education/study/Turkish language course) obtained from the foreign representative offices of the Republic of Turkey
  • Document from the institution or organisation authorised to provide Turkish language courses
• For short-term residence permits for those who will participate in training, research, internships and courses through public institutions
  • Document showing the duration and location of the programme to be taken from the public institutions or organisations where the training, research, internship or course will be taken
• For short-term residence permits to be obtained by those who complete their higher education and apply within 6 months
  • Photocopy of diploma or temporary graduation certificate
• For short-term residence permits to be obtained by investors
  • Certificate of Conformity
• N.C.T.R Citizens will receive short-term residence izinlerinde
  • Photocopy of N.C.T.R Identity Card

Those who will receive a tourism short-term residence permit because they do not meet the conditions for a family residence permit or those who switch from a family residence permit to a short-term residence permit may be asked to submit documents such as the previous residence permit document, divorce decision, death certificate of the sponsor, marriage certificate.

Fees and Costs for the Short-Term Residence Permit in Turkey

Costs of short-term residence permits in Turkey consist of two main items: document fee and residence permit fee. The residence permit document fee is 565TL as of 2024. The residence permit fee varies according to the nationality of the applicant. In addition, residence permit applications include extra costs such as health insurance costs, notary fees, translation of documents, and so on.

Renewal of Short-Term Residence Permits

The renewal of the short-term residence permit is also subject to the general provisions regarding the renewal or extension of the residence permit and is regulated in Article 24 of Law No. 6458.

Applications for renewal of the residence permit must be made sixty days before the expiration of the residence permit and in any case before the expiration of the residence permit. The document showing that the application for renewal of the residence permit has been made provides the right to legally stay in Turkey even if the residence permit has expired.

The documents required for short-term residence permit extension applications are the same as those required for the initial application.

Common Reasons for Short-Term Residence Permit Rejection

The reasons for the rejection, cancellation or non-renewal of a short-term residence permit are indicated in Article 32 of the aforementioned Law. Accordingly, if the conditions sought for the applicant for the granting of a short-term residence permit are not met or are eliminated; if the short-term residence permit is used for purposes other than intended, or if a valid deportation or entry ban decision is issued for the foreigner granted the permit, the granted short-term residence permit is canceled, the short-term residence permit application is rejected or the short-term residence permit is not renewed.

Appeal Against Short-Term Residence Permit Rejection or Cancellation

If the application for a short-term residence permit is rejected or if the application for an extension of the short-term residence permit is rejected or if the short-term residence permit is canceled, it is possible to appeal. The foreigner may apply to the Administrative Court within 60 days after the rejection decision is notified to him/her and file a lawsuit for the cancellation of the residence permit application rejection decision. If this lawsuit is concluded in favour of the foreigner, the rejection decision taken by the administration will be cancelled. Upon the rejection of the residence permit application, the foreigner must leave the country within 10 days after the expiry of the visa or visa exemption. If the foreigner does not have a visa or visa exemption, he/she must leave the country within 10 days from the notification of the rejection decision. Although the lawsuit filed for the cancellation of the rejection decision does not eliminate this requirement, this requirement can be postponed with a stay of execution decision.