RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS
A residence permit “Ikamet” refers to the authorization document issued for staying in Türkiye. This
permit, issued by the competent authorities, grants a foreign national the right to reside in our
country for a specific period and at a specific address. As residence permits are important for
ensuring and maintaining public order, they are issued provided that the foreign national applies,
submits the required documents, and meets the conditions of the requested type of residence
permit.
Foreign nationals who intend to stay in our country longer than the period allowed by a visa or visa
exemption, or longer than ninety days, are required to apply for the type of residence permit they
believe they qualify for.
Foreign nationals who complete their application must appear at the provincial/district Directorate
of Migration Management in the province where they intend to reside on the appointment date
determined by the system. Foreign nationals who fail to appear at the provincial/district
Directorate of Migration Management on the appointment date without a valid excuse shall be
deemed as having never applied. In determining whether an excuse is valid, the administration may
request certain information and documents.
Applications for extension of residence permits are, as a rule, made in the same manner.
RESIDENCE PERMITS BASED ON REAL ESTATE PURCHASE
Pursuant to the circular published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye –
Directorate General of Migration Management on 15.01.2025, for residence permit applications
based on real estate purchases made after 15.01.2025, the title deed’s appraised (official) value of
the property must be USD 200,000 or higher. This value is calculated based on the Central Bank of
the Republic of Türkiye’s effective exchange rate on the date of title deed transfer.
For residence permit applications based on real estate purchased before 15.01.2025, applications
may be submitted even if the title deed appraised value is below USD 200,000 (for neighborhoods
open to residence). However, an application may be submitted provided that a current valuation
(expertise) report for the property shows a value of USD 200,000 or above prior to application.
Important Note:
The valuation (expertise) report must be up to date. It is valid for only 3 months from the date it is
issued.
A foreign national who has obtained a residence permit through these means may apply for
renewal 60 days before the residence permit expires, if they need to obtain a new permit before
the expiration date. If no extension application is made within 90 days after the residence permit
expires, the application will be evaluated as a first-time residence permit application.
Foreign nationals who obtain a residence permit under the conditions stated above are entitled to
apply for Turkish citizenship after 5 years. However, for applications to be made within this 5-year
period, it is required that the residence permit period has not expired.
Important Note:
As of 01.07.2022, four neighborhoods in Alanya (Kestel, Kargıcak, Avsallar, and Mahmutlar), as well
as certain neighborhoods across Türkiye, are temporarily closed to residence permits. The list of
closed neighborhoods can be accessed on the official website:
https://www.goc.gov.tr/mahalle-kapatma-duyurusu-hk2
Foreign nationals who purchased real estate in closed neighborhoods after 01.07.2022 are not
granted residence permits.
However, foreign nationals who purchased title deeds in closed neighborhoods before 01.07.2022
retain the right to apply for a residence permit. In addition to the documents required by the
Directorate of Migration Management, a current valuation report is required for this application.
Through real estate purchase, it is also possible to obtain a family residence permit. A family
residence permit may be issued to:
• The spouse,
• The minor foreign child of the applicant or the spouse,
• The dependent foreign child of the applicant or the spouse.
SHORT-TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT
Along with real estate purchase, foreign nationals in our country may apply for a short-term
residence permit.
Foreign nationals who purchased real estate after 15.01.2025 may also apply for a short-term
(tourism-purpose) residence permit even if the appraised value of the property is below USD
200,000.
If the residence permit application is approved as a result of the evaluation, the initial permit may
be issued for 6 months. Subsequently, provided that the conditions required by the Directorate
General of Migration Management are met, applications for 1-year or 2-year residence permits
may be submitted.
Touristic residence permit applications may also be made through property rental. However, a
notarized lease agreement and bank account statements are required in addition to the
application documents.
Foreign nationals who are retired abroad may also apply for a residence permit through property
rental. In addition to the application documents, an apostilled retirement income certificate is
required. During the evaluation of the residence permit application, the declared retirement
income must be at least 1.5 times the minimum wage in Türkiye.
Touristic residence permits do not grant the right to apply for Turkish citizenship in accordance
with the law.
ADDRESS OF RESIDENCE IN TÜRKİYE
For residence permit applications based on real estate purchase, address and contact details
must be declared accurately and completely. The residence permit is issued only for the
property declared by the foreign national during the application, and if the applicant does not
reside at this address, the application may be rejected or, if already granted, the residence permit
may be canceled.
15-DAY EXIT–ENTRY RIGHT
With a residence permit application document approved by the Directorate of Migration
Management and the fee receipt, foreign nationals may exit Türkiye provided that they re-enter
within 15 days. However, if they remain abroad for more than 15 days, visa regulations will apply
upon re-entry to Türkiye.
FINALIZATION OF THE RESIDENCE PERMIT
According to Article 21 of the law, residence permit applications are finalized within a maximum
of ninety (90) days. This 90-day period starts from the date when complete information and
documents are submitted to the competent authority.
Once approved, residence permit cards are delivered by post to the foreign national’s residential
address. If the applicant is not found at the address, the residence permit card may be collected
from the local Directorate of Migration Management. The residence permit card is delivered to the
applicant, family members, or an authorized attorney.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
For extension applications submitted before the residence permit expires, provided that the
extension is approved, the new residence permit card is sent by post after the expiration date of
the previous residence permit.