Indefinite residence permit of Turkey for foreign citizens of Turkic origin

Under current Turkish legislation, only foreigners who had been in Turkey continuously for eight years could be granted indefinite residence permits. However, this requirement does not include foreigners of Turkic origin: Akhyska Turks, Uighurs, ethnic Turks from Bulgaria and Greece and Crimean Tatars. The State combines them into a separate group and grants substantial privileges.

Privileges enjoyed by foreigners of Turkic origin:

- The possibility of obtaining an indefinite residence permit without permanent residence in the country for the last 8 years.
- The procedure for obtaining a work visa in Turkey is easier and the probability of refusal is lower.  
Members of this category may practise professions prohibited to other foreigners: notaries, lawyers, etc.  
- Citizenship is easier and less likely to be refused  
- University admission privileges in Turkey
- Possibility of registration of the state health insurance policy  

What documents confirm the Turkic origin?

- Türk soylu belgesi. You can get in the authorized offices in your country or at the consulate and then confirm it in the Turkish prefecture (kaymakamlık).
- Birth certificate, which specifies the nationality of the parents. At least one of the parents must have a nationality belonging to the privileged category of citizens (Akhyska Turks, Uighurs, ethnic Turks from Bulgaria and Greece, Crimean Tatars)

List of documents for applying for residence permit:

- passport valid for at least 2 years
- Türk soylu belgesi 
- Birth certificate, which specifies the nationality of parents. Documents must be apostilled and notarized
- Document confirming the place of residence in Turkey: lease or tapu for apartment
- 4 biometric photographs
- completed questionnaire on the website of migration service https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/
- Summary of convictions

Important!
- If a foreign citizen of Turkic origin has never been to Turkey before 2019, he will be given only a tourist residence for 1 year. In this case, the citizen is obliged to draw up an insurance policy and pay the tax for registration of the residence permit. After 1 year, he will be able to apply for an indefinite residence permit.

- Citizens of Turkic origin who visited Turkey until 2019, are not obliged to draw up an insurance policy and pay tax for registration of residence permit and have the right to immediately apply for permanent residence permit.

- Migration Service employees have the right to ask relevant questions about the life, traditions and culture of the foreign citizen of Turkic origin