Residence in Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining Different Types of Residence Permits

In recent years, following global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining residence in Turkey has become increasingly difficult. However, there are still various opportunities to obtain residency in this country. This text will comprehensively review the types of residence permits and the methods to obtain them.

Individuals seeking to obtain residence in Turkey can be divided into two groups:

Those who intend to obtain residence through property purchase.

Other individuals.

Residence Through Property Purchase

Those who seek to obtain residence through property purchase can be further divided into two subgroups:

Residence with Passport Acquisition:

• If the purchased property is valued at a minimum of €450,000, the buyer can obtain a Turkish passport for themselves, their spouse (if the property is jointly purchased), and children under 18 years of age after completing the administrative procedures. It is important to note that the passport acquisition process can take several months.

Temporary Residence:

• If the purchased property is valued at a minimum of $200,000, it is possible to obtain temporary residence. This residence permit is renewable annually, and the individual can also obtain residence for their spouse and children under 18 years old. After 8 years of residence renewal, the individual may apply for Turkish citizenship and a passport.

Tourist Residence

Before 2024, tourists could easily stay in Turkey without time restrictions and even work. However, with the change in laws from 2024 onwards, tourist residence in Turkey has been limited to 6 months per year. To obtain this type of residence, sufficient reasons must be presented to the immigration office. Otherwise, tourists can stay in Turkey for up to 3 months (90 days) with their passport. This period varies for each country; for Iranians, the residence period is 90 days.

Closed Areas

Areas that have been declared "closed" by the Turkish government are regions where the number of foreign residents has reached the maximum allowed. If a property is purchased in these areas, no residence permit will be granted to the buyer. This list of areas is updated annually by the municipality and the immigration office.

Work Residence (Çalışma İzni)

This type of residence is for individuals who are employed in Turkey. Employers are responsible for obtaining and renewing work residence permits for their employees. After three years, the employer can extend the employee's residence for an additional two years. Finally, after 5 years, it is possible to apply for Turkish citizenship.

Student Residence

Student residence is for individuals who are studying in undergraduate, graduate, or higher education programs in Turkey. Students can work alongside their studies. Additionally, it is possible to obtain residence for the student's spouse. After completing their studies, students are granted a one-year work permit and can apply for citizenship after 5 years.

Residence Through Company Registration

This type of residence requires more investment but is more economical compared to property purchase. To obtain this type of residence, the company must be registered in Turkey and approved by the immigration office. One of the conditions for obtaining this residence is employing at least 5 Turkish-speaking employees and paying their wages and insurance. After 5 years of work residence renewal, the individual can apply for Turkish citizenship.