Short Term Residence Permit (Current) – Application, Documents and New Rules

What is a Short-Term Residence Permit?

A short-term residence permit is an official permit issued to foreign nationals who wish to stay in Turkey for longer than the visa period or visa exemption period. No. 6458 Article 31 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection in accordance with the Law on the Protection of Children and Families. They are usually issued for between 6 months and 1 year and can be extended under certain conditions.

This permit is particularly suitable for

• Foreigners buying real estate in Turkey,
• Those who want to stay for a long time for tourism purposes,
• Those conducting business or trade negotiations,
• Those coming for training, courses or research activities.

Who Can Apply?

Foreigners who can document at least one of the following purposes can apply:

1. Scientific research (ministry/university permission letter if necessary)
2. Owners of residential property in Turkey (residential use, valuation report in inheritance/donation)
3. Those who have established/will establish business contacts (invitation letter, etc.)
4. In-service training program participants
5. Agreements/student exchange programs (Erasmus, Mevlana, etc.)
6. Long stays for tourism
7. Those who will receive treatment (no contagious disease; public/private hospital report)
8. Those who are required to stay in Turkey upon the request/decision of the judicial/administrative authority
9. Short-term family residence (divorce, expiration of 3 years, domestic violence exception, death of a sponsor)
10. Turkish course (MoNE authorized institution; maximum two times)
11. Training/research/internship/course through public institutions
12. Graduates of higher education in Turkey who apply within 6 months of graduation (up to 1 year, once)
13. Investors and their families (specified amount/scope; up to 5 years)
14. TRNC citizens (up to 5 years)

Note: Except for 13 and 14, a maximum of 2 years can be given each time.

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Application Requirements (Current)

Foreigners who will apply for a short-term residence permit must fulfill the following conditions:

• Have a valid passport or equivalent travel document,
• To have health insurance valid for the duration of his/her stay in Turkey,
• Establishing an address record in Turkey (certificate of residence),
• There is no violation of public order or security,
• Sufficient and regular income (at least 1.5 times the net minimum wage for single applicants, at least 1 minimum wage for each family member for family applicants; regularity for the last 3 months must be documented)
• Criminal record certificate if requested

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Required Documents

The following documents are usually requested during the application process:

• Residence Permit Application Form (signed by the foreigner/guardian/attorney with power of attorney)
• Photocopies of passport/passport substitute documents (ID-photo, last entry, visa, if any; original with you at the appointment )
• 6 biometric photos (last 6 months, white background, ICAO + digital)
• Receipts for payment of the residence fee and card fee (citizens of fee-exempt countries pay only the card fee)
• Single-entry visa fee payment receipt* For first-time visa exempt applicants or those who violate the duration of stay; except for exempt country groups
• Valid health insurance (one of the following is sufficient):
  • SSI/provincial social security unit letters within the scope of bilateral social security agreement
  • SSI provision letter or GSS application document
  • Private health insurance policy ( first page of the application is uploaded)
• Adequate and regular income declaration/documentation
• Address registration
  • Current “Certificate of Settlement” (e-Government – obtained from the Population Directorate) + invoice/subscription agreement (electricity/water/natural gas/fixed line)
  • If owner: copy of title deed + numbering (from the municipality in the first application); title deed continuation certificate in the extension
  • Lease: notarized lease agreement (must include owner information)
  • Hotel: reservation/bank receipt
  • Dormitory: e-signed letter from the dormitory administration
  • Third party stay: landlord (including spouse if married) notarized commitment + current invoice/subscription in the name of the landlord
• UETS ( National Electronic Notification Address from PTT) – for extension/transfer applications; not required under the age of 18
• Passport (notarized translation, last entry page, visa page/e-visa copy)
• TCIP (Compulsory Earthquake Insurance)
• Tax number

Annexes to the Application on Behalf of Children

• Birth certificate (if passport is not available)
• Guardianship/conservatorship order; consent in case of divorce (from the other parent)
• Death/orphanage certificate, single parenthood certificate
• If from Turkey, e-signed/sealed; if from abroad, apostilled + sworn translation (if not apostilled, consulate/foreign affairs certification + translation).
• Photocopies of parents’ residence/work permit in TR (if applicable).
• For those under 18 years of age, consent form issued abroad + notarized letter of undertaking on behalf of the real/legal person in Turkey.

⚠️ It is very important that the documents are complete and up-to-date. Missing documents may result in rejection of the application.

According to Purpose Additional Documents (Examples)

• Scientific research: appropriate visa + official letter showing duration/space
• Landlord: title deed (residential nature, personal use; value requirement of at least 200,000 USD TL equivalent on the date of acquisition), valuation report if inherited/donated, numbering (initial application), title deed continuation (extension)
• Commercial/business start-up: appropriate visa + notarized activity, tax certificate, trade register, signature circular from the addressee person/company
• In-service training: letter from public institution/organization with duration/location
• Exchange program/agreement: education institution letter; if Erasmus/Mevlana, program scope letter
• Tourism: travel/accommodation plan; proof of legal stay in TR for 1st degree relatives and/or marriage certificate (birth certificate if from TR; apostille/translation if from abroad) + income documents (passbook, company letter, deposit, rental income, etc. for the last 3 months).
• Treatment: single physician report or chief physician approved report (e-report can be verified), SSI letter for those covered by bilateral agreements
• Judicial/Administrative request/decision: e-signed letter from the relevant authority (time limit cannot exceed the LFIP limit)
• Transfer from family residence: copy of previous residence card (original at appointment), divorce/death certificate
• Turkish course: appropriate visa + letter from MoNE-authorized institution with duration (maximum 2 times)
• Program through public institutions: time/place letter from the institution
• Higher education graduate: diploma/graduation certificate (can be e-Government) – within 6 months of graduation, once/1 year
• Investor: certificate of eligibility, criminal record (TR or country of origin according to last 5 years; apostille/translation); family ties certificate for family members
• TRNC citizen TRNC ID (original at appointment)

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Application Process (Step by Step)

1. Online Application (E-residency System)
   • Fill in the application form at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr.
   • The system automatically gives an appointment date.
2. Preparing for an Appointment
   • All documents are prepared and submitted as a file.
   • The applicant can apply in person or through a lawyer.
3. Delivery to Directorate of Migration Management
   • Go to the relevant province/district Migration Management on the appointment date.
   • All documents are submitted in their original form.
4. Finalization of the Application
   • It is usually finalized within 1 month.
   • If approved, the short-term residence card is sent to the address via PTT.

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Duration and Extension Procedures

• A maximum of 1 year is given for the first application.
• An extension must be applied for at least 60 days before the residence permit expires.
• The same documents are prepared again for the extension.
• The most common reasons for refusal: forged lease, lack of health insurance, lack of income.

Short Term Residence Permit Fees

• Residence fee (by country/duration of stay)
• Document (card) fee
• Single-entry visa fee if required
• Private health insurance premium (according to coverage/duration)

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Reasons for Refusal/Cancellation/No Extension (LFIP framework)

• Failure to fulfill the conditions/ subsequent removal of the conditions
• Misuse
• Existence of a deportation/entry ban order
• Violation of length of stay abroad
• Incomplete/false information-documentation, false declaration

Notes (Practical)

• Residence permit does not confer the right to work (Law No. 6735; separate application). 👉 See. Work Permit
• Contact information provided in the application must be complete/genuine.
• Provincial directorates may request additional documents according to the local situation.
• Under 18 years of age, UETS is not compulsory.
• Address registration is mandatoryfor extension/transfer.

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New Regulations in 2025

• In some high-migration provinces (e.g. Istanbul, Antalya), applications with rental contracts are limited.
• Applications for tourist residency by foreigners who do not own real estate are more strictly controlled.
• Electronic applications are now required to upload more detailed documents.

👉 See. List of Neighborhoods Closed to Foreigners

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How We Help You as MFY Legal?

MFY Legal | Istanbul Law Firm:

• He prepares your applications in full,
• It checks the legality of your documents,
• In case of rejection, it conducts appeal and litigation processes,
• We provide multilingual consulting in English, Arabic, Russian and Chinese.

👉 Contact MFY Legal now for expert legal support tailored to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Legal Basis

• Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, Art. 31-33.
• Official Gazette (dated 11.04.2013 and numbered 28615).
• LFIP Implementation Regulation Art. 28-29
• Relevant secondary legislation (e-Residency guidelines, etc.)