According to Turkish law, tourists cannot stay longer than 90 days within a 180-day period. But If you buy property in Turkey, you are entitled to a yearlong residency permit, thanks to a new law that was passed in 2013. Applying for a permit can get a little time-consuming and difficult. Some companies can take care of this process for you, helping you out with the necessary paperwork and validations. Especially if you don’t speak Turkish or feel certain about the process, we recommend going through one of these.

Cost

The residence permit fee is made up of three different fees: the Residence Permit Card Fee, the Permit Fee and the Single Entry Visa Fee. There are different amounts of permit fees applicable for different nationalities. Therefore, it’s always best to check with the local police station. Typically, the fee will cost around 80 USD. It’s possible to renew your permit, however you must do so 14 days before your current one expires.

Validity Period

The most common permit has a one-year validity period. There is also a 6-month option, which is mostly used by legal foreign seasonal workers. Normally, you can obtain a 1 or 2 year permit on your first application. For the 5-year permit, you must wait until your second application for renewal.

Application Details

The below documents are required for first-time applicants: (Source: www.invest.gov.tr)

• Residence permit application form
• The original and a copy of the passport or travel document
• Four passport-size photographs
• Declaration regarding sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay (Stated in the application form. The authority may request supporting documents.)
• Official document regarding the applicant’s ownership of the residence*
• Valid medical insurance (one of the following shall be sufficient):
• Document facilitating health services in Turkey within the scope of bilateral social security agreements
• Provision document issued by the Social Security Institution
• Document regarding the application made to the Social Security Institution to be covered by the general health insurance
• Private health insurance

Documents needed during application for extension:

• Residence permit application form
• The original and a copy of the passport or travel document
• Two passport-size photographs
• Declaration regarding sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay (Stated in the application form. The authority may request supporting documents.)
• Official document regarding the applicant’s ownership of the residence*
• Submission of the previous residence permit document**
• An invitation letter or documents of such written by the person or companies to be contacted upon the authority’s request**
• Valid medical insurance (one of the following shall be sufficient):
• Document facilitating health services in Turkey within the scope of bilateral social security agreements
• Provision document issued by the Social Security Institution
• Private health insurance including the extension period

Below are the next steps for obtaining the residency permit:

1. Passport Police

The applicants are required to take all the above documents to their local passport police office. Here, there will be 2 forms to fill. The first one is addressed to the local government official or Kaymakamlık, which will need to get stamped. The second form is “Yabancilar Tarafindan Verilecek Ikamet Beyannamesi”, a declaration of your residency details, which has to be typed. You need to state the duration of the permit you’re applying for and learn the fee for residency book, which can be paid at any post office. Include the receipt of the payment while handing in your application. To extend your permit, reapply 14 days before it runs out by handing in your residency book.

2. Muhtar (Neighborhood Headman) Registry

Next you need to visit your local muhtar, the official in charge of your mahalle, or neighborhood. The documents you need to bring are: Title deed or rental agreement, copy of your passport and 2 passport photos. The headman will register you as a resident of the neighborhood you will be living in.

3. Maliye (Tax Office)

Pay for your residency at your local tax office, after the payment it is registered to your tax number. Bring the forms you received at the passport police, your passport, your tax number and the fee payment in cash. Save a copy of the receipt that will be given with your application documents.

4. Kaymakamlik (The Government Building)

At the government building (Kaymakamlık) you will need to get a stamp for your form.

5. Residency Declaration

As mentioned above, you need to have this form typed. Those that are filled by hand will not be accepted.

6. Passport Police

After completing all the necessary documents and the receipts of the payments, you need to go back to passport police. They will check the documents and accept your application. If you are applying for an extension, bring your residency book as well. You will be notified how long the process will take and when you can receive your permit. They will give you a substitute document, incase you need to show for it until your permit is issued. Please note that Turkish law and regulations change frequently and it is best to double check and consult the authorities.