Foreign citizens arriving in Turkey on a tourist visa can stay in the country from 30 to 90 days, depending on the terms of agreements between states. Those who wish to stay longer need to obtain an ikamet — a temporary residence permit in Turkey. We have gathered up-to-date information on obtaining a residence permit in Turkey, including the required documents and available options.
Benefits of Obtaining a Residence Permit in Turkey
A residence permit in Turkey provides foreigners with a wide range of rights and opportunities:
- Free residence in Turkey for more than 90 days without the need to leave, with the right to multiple entry and exit
- Access to the financial system, the ability to open bank accounts, issue cards, and conduct international transfers
- Education for children
- Access to the public healthcare system
- Path to citizenship — after 5 years of residence with a residence permit, subject to certain conditions
- A “Plan B” in case of economic or political instability
A Turkish residence permit does not grant visa-free entry to other countries, but it can make obtaining visas easier due to legal status and documentation.
How to Apply for a Residence Permit in Turkey — All Options
The rules for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey are regulated by Law No. 6458 “On Foreigners and International Protection.” Based on it, there are several categories of residence permits, each with its own purpose, duration, and conditions.
Short-Term Residence Permit
This type is suitable for foreigners who come to Turkey for a specific purpose:
- Tourism
- Ownership or rental of real estate
- Participation in short-term educational courses
- Business activities
- Scientific research
- Medical treatment
Validity period — from 6 months to 1 year. In practice, from 2023 residence permits are usually issued for 6 months.
Previously, a short-term residence permit could be obtained on the basis of renting housing. However, since December 2022, the migration authorities have begun massively refusing to extend or issue permits on this basis. Rental is no longer considered a reliable reason for obtaining status. The exception is property owners. If the property meets the requirements of the investment program (cadastral value from $200,000), the owner and their family (spouse, children) can obtain a renewable residence permit for up to 5 years.
Family Residence Permit
Issued to:
- Spouses of Turkish citizens
- Children and dependents
- Family members of a foreigner already holding a residence permit.
Validity — up to 2 years. It may be extended if grounds exist.
Student Residence Permit
Intended for foreign students studying in Turkish schools, colleges, or universities. Issued for 1 year and extended upon confirmation of continued enrollment (enrollment certificate).
Long-Term Residence Permit
Equivalent to permanent residence. Available to foreigners who have lived in Turkey for at least 8 years with a valid residence permit. Does not require confirmation of the purpose of stay. Status may be revoked if the resident leaves the country for more than 1 year consecutively.
Humanitarian Residence Permit
Issued in exceptional cases when a person cannot return to their homeland for reasons related to threats to life, armed conflicts, or persecution.
Residence Permit for Victims of Human Trafficking
A specific category provided to victims of criminal schemes.
Work Permit
This is not a separate type of residence permit, but gives the right to be officially employed. It can be issued as an addition to a short-term or family residence permit — confirmation from the employer or independent business registration is required.
Applications are submitted online on the official website of the Turkish Migration Service. For extensions, it is convenient to use the special mobile application e-devlet, similar to government services. All uploaded documents are saved there, so for renewal it is enough to upload replaced or missing ones.
After 5 years, you can apply for Turkish citizenship. To do this, you must live in the country for 5 years with a residence permit and learn Turkish. You cannot leave Turkey for more than 6 months in a row, and no more than 12 months in total during the entire period.
How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Turkey Through Real Estate Purchase?
In Turkey, you can obtain residency by investment (ikamet) within 1–3 months by purchasing residential real estate. If the cadastral value of the property exceeds $200,000, the owner receives resident status for 1–2 years with the possibility of multiple renewals. This type of residence permit does not require mandatory residence — you can stay in the country as much as is convenient.
Family members of the investor — spouse and children under 18 — can apply for a family residence permit. The investor must confirm an income sufficient to support each family member (at least one-third of the minimum wage per person).
An alternative to a family residence permit is a short-term one: for this, the relative must be listed in the property ownership document (TAPU).
After 5 years of residence with a residence permit, the property owner can apply for citizenship. To do this, you need to:
- Live in Turkey for at least 4 out of the last 5 years.
- Stay in the country for at least 183 days each year.
- Pass a Turkish language exam.
Important: resident status can be renewed indefinitely as long as you own real estate, even without permanent residence.
Restrictions by Districts for Obtaining a Residence Permit
Since 2022, the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs has introduced restrictions on issuing initial residence permits to foreigners in areas with a high concentration of migrants (more than 25% of the local population).
Residence permits cannot be obtained in such areas by those:
- Applying for an initial residence permit based on rental housing.
- Who already have a residence permit in another part of the municipality.
- Those who purchased an apartment, house, or room in a closed district after 01.07.2022.
You can obtain a residence permit in closed areas if you:
- purchased real estate and obtained a residence permit on the basis of TAPU before 01.07.2022.
- are extending a residence permit issued in the same closed district where you lived before 01.07.2022.
- are applying for family reunification: spouses of local citizens, newborns, close relatives of the first degree.
- are enrolled in a university located in a closed district.
The list of closed districts is regularly updated and can be found on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs. Before buying real estate, it is important to check whether the selected district is open for obtaining a residence permit — this can be done through local cadastral offices or consultants working with the migration service.
More than 1,000 districts across Turkey are closed: you can buy real estate there, but you cannot obtain a residence permit.
Required Documents
The list of documents for a Turkish residence permit generally includes:
- Online application
- Turkish tax number
- 4 biometric photos
- Passport
- Local medical insurance
- Marriage and children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
- Proof of financial solvency;]
- Documents confirming eligibility for a residence permit
When applying for an ikamet through property purchase, you will also need:
- Copy of TAPU (property ownership certificate);
- Certificate from the Cadastral Office (confirming the validity of TAPU).
After obtaining a residence permit, residents can legally stay in Turkey for more than 90 days per half-year, as well as leave and enter the country any number of times while their status is valid. Obtaining a residence permit in Turkey provides most civil rights, except for voting and certain social benefits. A resident can open accounts in local banks, enroll children in schools or kindergartens, and use state health insurance.
Turkish Citizenship Through Investment
The Turkish government also offers an accelerated path to citizenship through investment. Processing time is 6–12 months.
To participate, you must purchase real estate with a cadastral value of at least $400,000. You may buy one or more residential or commercial properties totaling this amount. Purchased property may be rented out and sold after 3 years without the risk of losing citizenship.
A Turkish passport opens up many opportunities: visa-free travel to 110 countries worldwide, including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. Turkish citizens can obtain Schengen visas valid for up to 10 years and relocate or do business in the United States under an E-2 business visa.
Turkey offers a diverse real estate market, ranging from modern studio apartments to luxury villas. Coastal destinations such as Bodrum, Fethiye, and Antalya are especially sought after for summer homes, with villas, penthouses, and apartments in high demand. In Istanbul, property values are rising rapidly, particularly in newly developed districts where residential complexes feature full modern amenities, including fitness centers, swimming pools, parks, and shopping areas. These properties enjoy consistent rental demand throughout the year, while prices continue to climb in response to growing international interest.
The Migration Service will strictly verify the compliance of property value and address with current restrictions. To pass the check smoothly, for property selection and transaction support contact trusted experts.
Astons has a large portfolio of properties suitable for obtaining a Turkish residence permit, and our specialists provide personalized service and full support at every stage of the program. We will help you choose profitable real estate based on your budget and preferences, arrange property viewings in person or virtually, and assist in obtaining a residence permit and Turkish citizenship through investment. Apply now for a free consultation.
